A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to the process of letterpress.

Please note that this page contains links to external websites and has videos from external websites embedded. At the time of creating, AccessArt checked all links to ensure content is appropriate for teachers to access. However external websites and videos are updated and that is beyond our control. 

Please let us know if you find a 404 link, or if you feel content is no longer appropriate. 

We strongly recommend as part of good teaching practice that teachers watch all videos and visit all websites before sharing with a class. On occasion there may be elements of a video you would prefer not to show to your class and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure content is appropriate. Many thanks. 

This resource is free to access and is not a part of AccessArt Membership.

Letterpress

Teachers Notes

Letterpress is a relief printing technique. For hundreds of years letterpress was the only way to create reproductions of text. The invention of the letterpress in the mid 15th Century meant that information could be more accessible to the masses. Traditionally, the letters are arranged, a roll is inked and the raised surface of the letters are pressed against sheets or a continuous roll of paper. 

Take a online tour of Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Scotland. Founded in 1866 and now part of the Scottish National Trust, the tour walks you through the rooms, different jobs and the machinery used in the victorian era.

A modern day letterpress process.

Alan Kitching, Letterpress artist, talking about his process and inspirations whilst working on a commission for English Heritage

Farewell Etaoin Shrdlu, a 30 minute documentary on the last day of typesetting at The New York Times in 1978, before the switch to computers. 

Features interviews for and against the incoming technology, plus a look at the end showing the contrast between the old typesetting methods and the new computerised version.

Talking Points

What sort of things was letterpress traditionally used for?

What do people still use letterpress?

What differences are there between designing on a computer nowadays and using old methods such as letterpress?

Why do you think there is still an interest in using old technology today?

Can you think of any other old techniques used to make art that are still being used?

Why is (or is?) it important to understand old techniques and ways of making things?

How have computers changed how we make art?

What do you think is next for printing techniques? What comes after computers?

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to the process of Collagraph.

Please note that this page contains links to external websites and has videos from external websites embedded. At the time of creating, AccessArt checked all links to ensure content is appropriate for teachers to access. However external websites and videos are updated and that is beyond our control. 

Please let us know if you find a 404 link, or if you feel content is no longer appropriate. 

We strongly recommend as part of good teaching practice that teachers watch all videos and visit all websites before sharing with a class. On occasion there may be elements of a video you would prefer not to show to your class and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure content is appropriate. Many thanks. 

This resource is free to access and is not a part of AccessArt Membership.

Collagraph

A collagraph print is made from textured materials collaged together on a piece of card. Lots of materials can be used to make collagraphs including (but not limited to) sand, fabric, bubblewrap, string and cardboard.

The surface of the plate can also be cut away at or into to create different marks. 

Sinclair Ashman

Watch this video to find out about how printmaker Sinclair Ashman found his passion for collagraph.

Karen Wicks

RAF Tangmere by Karen Wicks Medium: Collagraph Paper Type: Fabriano Unica (250gsm) Year: 2022.

Explore this resource by Karen Wicks to find out how she makes her prints here.

A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Alvaro Naddeo.

Please note that this page contains links to external websites and has videos from external websites embedded. At the time of creating, AccessArt checked all links to ensure content is appropriate for teachers to access. However external websites and videos are updated and that is beyond our control. 

Please let us know if you find a 404 link, or if you feel content is no longer appropriate. 

We strongly recommend as part of good teaching practice that teachers watch all videos and visit all websites before sharing with a class. On occasion there may be elements of a video you would prefer not to show to your class and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure content is appropriate. Many thanks. 

Alvaro Naddeo

“Art has a political role. I believe we as artists can and should put subjects to be discussed, to be reflected upon, and to be talked about.”

Alvaro Naddeo is originally from São Paulo, Brazil and currently in Los Angeles, USA.

Alvaro’s father was an illustrator and Alvaro spent much of his childhood drawing, however he moved into advertising as a profession. Recently he returned to make his own artwork.

Alvaro wears contact lenses or glasses to correct his “bad eyesight” but he doesn’t like to wear glasses when he paints. When he takes his glasses off, the world is blurry, except when he is very close up to his work, at which point it is focussed. He thinks this is why he enjoys creating so much detail in his paintings. 

In terms of subject matter, Alvaro credits his years working in advertising as being an influence. He paints recognisable brands and disposable objects which are both attractive to us and also remind us of our tendency towards wasting resources. 

Visit Alvaro’s website to see more of his wonderful work. 

“The subject matter of my work is waste, overconsumption and social inequality” Alvaro Naddeo

Please note in the video below there is a small and brief detail of a woman’s torso. As teacher pls decide if you want to show the video. 

Apologies if you cannot view the video below on Youtube if your school has blocked Youtube. 

Questions to Ask Children

Take a really close look at Alvaro’s work on his website. Notice how his work changes over time. 

What do you think Alvaro’s main interest are? How many different elements / objects does he bring into one piece? How does he connect them? Does he play with scale?

How do you think Alvaro uses his skill as a painter to draw attention to issues which he thinks are important?

How long do you spend looking at each painting? Do you understand more about the work the longer you spend looking?

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