Pathway: Making Monotypes
Pathway for Years 5 & 6
Disciplines:
Printmaking (Monotype), Drawing, Painting, Collage, Sketchbooks
Key Concepts:
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That Monotype is a process where we make images by transferring ink from one surface to another to make a single print.
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That we can use the “distance” that monotype gives us between mark making and outcome to make images with texture and a sense of history/process.
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That we can combine monotype with other disciplines such as painting and collage.
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That we can make art by expressing our own personal response to literature or film.
In this pathway children explore the process of making monotypes. The pathway starts with an introduction to monotypes, and then children explore the work of an artist who uses monotypes to build sculptures and installations.
Pupils develop their mark making skills through a simple warm up exercise, before focussing upon a project which gives them the opportunity to use the monotype process (combined with painting and collage) to make a “zine”, inspired by a piece of poetry. The pathway provides two ways of making monotypes according to the space and time you have available.
Throughout the project pupils use sketchbooks to collect ideas, test methods, and explore colour, line and mark making.
Medium:
Paper, Ink, Carbon Copy Paper, Paint
Artists: Kevork Mourad
If you use this resource in your setting, please tag us on social media: #InspiredBy @accessart (facebook, twitter) @accessart.org.uk (instagram) and share the url. Thank you!
Teaching Notes
Curriculum Links
English: Use a poem or story to inspire making your own monotype books.
History: Make a zine about your theme or focus.
PSHE: Supports Responsibility to the planet, Collaboration, Peer Discussion.
I Can…
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I have understood what a Monotype is and can see how artists use monotypes in their work. I have been able to share my response to their work.
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I can study drawings made by other artists and identify particular marks they have used in their drawings. I can use my sketchbook to create a collect of marks for me to use later.
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I can listen to a piece of poetry and think about how the piece evokes colours, lines, shapes and words in my head, and I can use these to create imagery which captures the mood of the piece of poetry.
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I can use my sketchbook to explore my ideas.
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I can use my mark making skills to create exciting monotypes, combining the process with painting and collage.
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I can share my thinking and outcomes with my classmates. I can listen to their views and respond.
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I can share my response to the artwork made by my classmates.
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I can photograph my work, thinking about lighting, focus and composition.
Time
This pathway takes 6 weeks, with an hour per week. Shorten or lengthen the suggested pathway according to time and experience. Follow the stages in green for a shorter pathway or less complex journey.
Materials
Soft B pencils, handwriting pens, cartridge paper, black sugar paper, assorted papers/cards, old maps or newspapers, A1 cartridge paper, assorted small objects and plants, PVA glue, tape, scissors.
Pathway: Making Monotypes
A PDF of this pathway can be found here.
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Week 1: Introduce
What is Monotype Printing?
Use the free to access “What is Monotype?” resource to introduce pupils to the idea of making one off drawings through print.
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Introduce an Artist
Explore the work of Kevork Mourad
Kervork Mourad creates huge sculptural monotypes on fabric. Find out about the concepts and processes that he uses. See the free to access “Talking Points: Kevork Mourad” resource.
Use “Making Visual Notes” as a way to encourage children to collect information in their sketchbooks.
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Week 2: Open Up Mark Making Vocabulary
Finding Marks Made by Artists
Monotypes rely on mark making. Use the “Finding Marks Made by Artists” resource to remind pupils of the vast array of marks that are open to them in their work.
Encourage children to work in sketchbooks to create a lexicon of marks made by varying the tool, hold, pressure, speed and intention of the way the mark is made.
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Week 3, 4, and 5: Using Monotype in a Project
Creating a Visual Poetry Zine
Over the next few sessions use the “Visual Poetry Zine with Monotype” resource to help pupils explore how they can use monotype to create their own personal books.
Invite pupils to use sketchbooks throughout as a place where they can test the monotype process and explore colour, line and mark making.
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Week 6: Talk
Share, Reflect, Discuss
End the pathway by taking time to appreciate the developmental stages and the final outcomes in a clear space. Talk about intention and outcome through a ‘crit’.
Display the work appropriately including having open sketchbooks. Use the “Crit in the Classroom” resource to help you.
If you have class cameras or tablets, invite the children to document their work, working in pairs or teams.
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Nadine H
May 27, 2022 @ 3:22 pm
Is there a way to download these pathways so that I can have it as a lesson plan in front of me when i teach?
Tobi Meuwissen
May 30, 2022 @ 10:05 am
Hi Nadine, we are working on creating PDF versions of each pathway for full members. The PDFs can be printed but will have working links so that you also have it on your computer screen. In the next few days they’ll be ready and you’ll be able to find them in the supporting documents section here https://www.accessart.org.uk/primary-art-curriculum/ if you’re a full member.
Wendy S
October 25, 2022 @ 9:18 pm
HI I would like to print out copies for the class teacher and inspectors, if allowed… we hold a school membership. If possible is there a way to print out in black and white. Some of the teaching notes are coming out in yellow which are difficult to read.
Kindest wishes and big thank you.
Tobi Meuwissen
October 26, 2022 @ 9:03 am
Hi Wendy, are you printing directly from the website? We have Pdfs of each pathway which can be found here https://www.accessart.org.uk/accessart-primary-art-curriculum-pdfs/ – this should give you the option to print out in black and white