Today in both my special needs classes we printed flowers using markers!

I drew the flowers in vases on styrofoam plates for each student ahead of time with a black sharpie.

Students then traced over the black lines with a dull colored pencil, pressing into the styrofoam. This creates an indentation in the surface of the styrofoam where ever it has been pressed in. With my help and the help of Para’s in each class, we assisted each student hand over hand. This is a great muscle strengthener and fine motor control building art activity for people of all ages and levels!

Once the black lines are traced entirely, students then colored in the flowers, leaves, and vase with washable markers. They could use any colors they wanted.

Once colored, I sprayed water, using a recycled spray cleaner bottle, 6 times on a sheet of 9×12″ 80# white drawing paper. Two sprays at the top, two in the middle, and two at the bottom. Then students helped wipe the paper with a pre-dampened sponge, to help spread the water over the paper evenly.

Then the styrofoam was placed color side down, over the damp paper, and students pressed using their hands to transfer the image from the styrofoam to their papers.

(Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a photo of these few steps)– then after pressing all over the back of the styrofoam, students used a brayer to roll over the back of the styrofoam to help further transfer their marker image.

Then the styrofoam was lifted off the dampened paper, revealing their wonderful flower print! I LOVE how they all turned out!!

It’s always so fun to show students a new art making process, and students loved it!!

To check out a more detailed description with additional photos on printmaking with markers, click on my 3rd grade art lessons page HERE and scroll down! My 3rd graders are all currently learning about printmaking with markers as well, and will be posting their “Complementary Creature Prints” soon!!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!!!

PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE AMAZING STUDENT ARTWORK!!!