Lit Week: Potter Prints

 

My husband prayed for Potter Heads. He certainly  had his prayers answered and then some. It would be a sad Lit Week without a little nod to Potter. Print-making is an easy and stunning art form. You only need a few tools you likely have already for a cheap art lesson that is gallery approved. My kids never say no to drawing Harry.

~polysterene trays (aka styrofoam)

~paint roller (or ink brayer)

~paint (or ink)

~pencil and paper

 

You can create an initial sketch to work from or you can draw directly on the polysterene with a blunt pencil. Allow the pencil to gouge lines and marks, as this will serve as a stamp of sorts for printing.

 

 Once you have your 'stamp' created, roll some ink on your brayer (paint on the roller) and cover the polysterene tray evenly with a coat of ink. Try not to pool any ink, as the gouges you made will not turn out clearly.

  

With some sheets of blank paper close at hand (preferably cut to the size of your stamp), flip your tray over and rub your hand around evenly before peeling back your paper to reveal your first print.

 

 

In the pro world, artists mark their prints as they are made 1/5, 2/5, 3/5...

You are supposed to destroy the stamp once your prints are complete-so there only exist a limited edition in the world. We stamp ours with beautiful Chinese Name Chops in red ink.

 

 

Mr was not interested in Potter Prints so he simply made a self portrait and destroyed his stamp after print number one! Very limited edition!