by Mary Erickson, Ph.D. and Ellen Meissinger Sample Penny Designs in watercolor & alternative media

1.MIX COPPER COLORS After carefully observing the range of colors of copper, practice producing them yourself with watercolors. Keep track of the colors you mixed. Art students at Arizona State University made the watercolor samples in this presentation.

2. SKETCH YOUR VALUE Choose something you value (person, place or idea) to show in your design. Organize the elements of your drawing within a circular format.

3. PAINT IN COPPER COLORS Start with light washes and build to darker areas and details.

4. GIVE YOUR DESIGN A TITLE We’ve Got Heart Brianna Voran ‘Merica Caitlin Kaiser When Freedom Crumbles Sara Drury Statue of Liberty Soyang Moeng

Cheryl Juracich wrote “I explored the naturally occurring tones and hues in both shiny, polished copper and oxidized copper surfaces. The play of warm and cool colors is something that I find beautiful. The design I chose refers to the use of copper in electrical components. Copper is both reflective and conducting – giving light!” Cheryl Juracich 5. WRITE AN ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Katherine Loh “sought a floral symbol of ‘honesty.’” She was attracted to the Indian Pond Lily because of its “bizarrely button-like shape with a ribbon-like structure in the center.” “Water lilies typically symbolize purity, which is close enough to my original idea.” Honest Penny with Indian Pond Lily Katherine Loh

Spencer Simmons wrote, “I chose actor, comedian, and American icon, Bill Murray, because he represents America. In these serious times of domestic and international hardships, people need a lift. Bill Murray on the penny would do just that.” In Bill Murray We Trust Spencer Simmons

Anthony Banayat wrote, “Our need to know more and expand our reach speaks to the spirit of our great nation. My design exemplifies that spirit and gives notice to the heavens that we are here and we are also on our way!” One Giant Step Anthony Banayat

Emeralda Piza chose the state bird of Arizona. She wrote they are “believed to keep evil spirits away … and can run up to 20 MPH!” Roadrunner at Rest Emeralda Piza

Crayon Drawings

Drawings on Copper-Tone Paper Crayons Markers

Metallic Marker Drawing on Copper-Tone Paper

Construction Paper

Copper-Tone Paper Embossing With Crayon Highlights Without Crayon Highlights (Step-by-step embossing instructions for 80 lb copper-tone paper follow.)

1.Sketch your design. 2.If you use words, write them on a piece of tracing paper.

3. Scribble lightly over the letters. 4. Place the tracing paper UPSIDE DOWN on your drawing and trace the letters to reverse them.

5. Cut out your drawing. 6. Cut out a circle of Styrofoam and and a circle of copper-tone paper the same size as your drawing. (You may want to make marks on the drawing and foam to help you keep them in place.)

7. Using a ballpoint pen, trace all your lines. Use plenty of pressure so that the lines press into the copper paper cushioned by the Styrofoam on the bottom of the stack. 8. Hold the stack together at all times so that the drawing doesn’t move.

9. Turn over the copper paper and you will see lines that are not yet strong. 10. Remove the drawing. Place the copper paper on top of the Styrofoam. Trace the lines directly over the faint lines. Press hard.

11. Turn the paper over to check which lines you may want to retrace. The Styrofoam does not need to stay in place as you retrace.

12. Add a green patina with crayon, if you like.