1. Printing (Found Objects) & Stencilling
Teachers Notes :
Printing with found objects and Stencilling is a craft tutorial that combines using found objects and stencilling to create prints in the classroom using recycled materials. The students will learn hand co-ordination, design skills, art appreciation, colour theory, knowledge of artists and designers and possibly team work.
Who is this lesson plan for :
It is suitable for all ages depending on the theme used. Junior cycle can focus more on getting to grips with the materials and method of printing and using stencils to create images. For senior cycle an emphaise can be placed on the design process and more work can go into planning and reseraching their theme..
Health and Safety
The standard health and safety procedures that you use with any art lesson will be sufficient but as with any group of children there will always be some who need a little extra supervision.
Teachers/ Parents should use the craft knife (stanley blade) for cutting out the stencils only
Curiculuim intergration
Visual Art: Fabric and Fibre, Colour and Paint
Maths: patterns and shapes
History: Symbols for example Aboriginal Art (printing small dots)
Oral language skills can be developed by asking the children to describe their finished pieces, their inspiration and how they
think their work should be displayed or used.
Duration:
This lesson plan is roughly 2hours. You could split the lesson into two sessions for example Printing (with found objects) and Stenciling. Some classes will take longer reserching and developing their theme.
Allow for a gap to cut stencils or have someone assist you in the cutting of the stencils.
Printing (Found Objects)
& Stencilling

2. Printing with found objects is when you create patterns and designs on paper or fabric using stuff we find around the house.
Teachers Notes
Asking Questions
Ask the class what is a pattern?
Looking Activity
As a class room activity, place scraps of fabric, wallpaper or wrapping paper in a variety of patterns, on each desk and ask the students to work in teams to describe their pattern to the rest of the class. Put the fabric and papers on a clothes line, or stick it to a board so you can refer back to them through out the class.
Explain that we are going to design our own fabric today using flowers as our inspiration.
Note
For next art, craft and design class use a theme you are already working on in class, maybe related to history or geography. This can be lesson plan can relate to other subjects you are teaching and a great way to follow through on a subject.
This workshop can be adapted to suit all primary classes. As children of all ages can be asked to look around their classroom or homes for examples of patterns. The older the class the more you can ask them to describe and explain.

3. A stencil is a thin sheet of cardboard with a design cut from it
A stencil is a thin sheet of cardboard with a design cut from it. You can reuse a stencil over and over, making it perfect for creating patterns.
Teachers notes
Show Visuals
Have an example of a stencil to hold up to class.
Have an example of a repeat pattern on hand to demonstrate.
Asking Questions
Has anyone used a stencil before?
Why is it important that you can reuse the stencil when making patterns?

4. Begin by picking a theme!
Teachers notes
Pick a theme.
In this instance I have picked sunflowers and therefore could introduce Vincent Van Gogh.
Show visuals
Fresh Flowers,
Van Gogh’s Sunflowers Painting,
Flower shapes on fabric and paper
You will see your theme all around you once its picked.
Looking Activities
Look at what shapes the flowers are made up of.
Discuss the shapes they can see and challenge them to look closer. This excersise will encourage children to notice details they had not seen before.
Note
Take time with the looking avtivities, a lot of learning takes place here.
Asking Questions
Hold up an example of a painting, or pattern on fabric or paper and ask the children what they think the theme is? Use visuals with obvious themes at first such as nature, animals etc. Try using more challenging examples for older classes.
Begin by picking a theme!

5. Teachers Notes
Drawing is an essential part of all design and a great way to loosen up the children’s imagination and design skills. The drawing should be theme related. Let them decide the composition of their picture. Always try to work from life, meaning leave flowers on their desks to draw. Remind them of the shapes you have just identified.
Practical Activity
Ask the children to draw the flowers on their desk. Tell them to fill the page with a close up of one of the flowers. You may have to explain what a ‘’close- up’’ is.
Use this theme to inspire your drawings. This drawing is inspired by what?

6. Materials PVA Glue Paints Brushes Teachers Notes
The paints already in your classroom are suitable for printing. PVA can be added to paint to print on fabric or wood.
It basically turns your paint into acrylic paint. The ratio is 2:1 Poster paint to PVA.
PVA Glue
Paints
Brushes

7. Some found objects that are suitable for printing
Some found objects that are suitable for printing. Can you think of any others?
halogen bulbs
bottle tops
thread reels
Teachers Notes
Show Visuals
Any objects with a flat surface are suitable for printing. I have picked those suitable for printing flowers. Have a selection to hold up and pass around. You might like to but a box or a basket in the classroom were children can bring in found objects for printing with.
Practical Activity
Ask children to explore their kitchen and garden for stuff they could use to print with. This is a great activity for encouraging observation skills and encouraging them to use their imagination.
cork
straws
lollypop sticks

8. Can you guess what kind of found objects made this prints?

9. How to apply paint to your found object.
Use a paint brush
Each colour should have it’s own brush.
Less is more. Just a thin layer is needed.
Keep a newspaper on the table for blotting off excess paint.
Teachers Notes
Read through the steps together
Practical Activity
On a piece of paper the children can experiment with printing with bottle tops or the end of their pencils. It is a great way to loosen up don’t focus on theme for this excersise just allow the time for them to get to grips with the materials and creating a pattern.

10. Printing Tape the fabric down so it doesn't move.
Pick a found object to make your print with.
Choose a colour
Apply the paint to the object with a brush.
Use it to print a design on your fabric.
Teachers Notes
Practical Activity
Do a fabric print based on the flower theme. Use their drawing for inspiration. Tell the class that they can choose a different colour to that of their flower when designing this piece.
Have a selection of found objects for them to use.
Note
Remember anything with a flat surface can be used to print and you can clean off objects with kitchen towel before putting in other colours.

11. To make a stencil begin by collecting cardboard at home
To make a stencil begin by collecting cardboard at home. Cereal boxes are great for making stencils.
Teachers Notes
Ask children to bring in their own cardboard box from home. Cereal boxes work best

12. Draw your picture in the middle of the card.

13. Your drawing should now be cut into a stencil
Your drawing should now be cut into a stencil. Are you ready to create designs and patterns on paper or fabric.
Teachers Notes
The teacher needs to cut out the stencil with a sharp craft knife. Remember that each shape needs to have space between it and the next shape. Otherwise when you cut the whole shape will come away. Do your best not to alter the drawing too much when cutting out the stencil.

14. Teachers Notes
Stencil brushes are round flat head brushes that are the only specialist material you will need to buy. Make sure each colour has a separate brushe and do not wash brushes until the end, as wet brushes thin the paint and paint should be creamy consistency.
Before you start to stencil, prepare your paints. Each colour paint should have it’s own paint brush

15. Stencil Making
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

16. Work the paint into the bristles of the brush using old newspaper as it is absorbent. Less paint means no bleeding at edges of stencil
A good tip is to work the paint into the bristles of the brush by rubbing it into newspaper.

17. Stenciling Tape the fabric down so it doesn't move.
Put paint through the cut stencil.
Little circular motions work best to get the paint into the fabric.
Teachers notes
Tape down the fabric so it doesn’t move.
Allow the student to put the stencil on the paper/fabric were they want it.
Practical Activities
Use a stabbing motion or a circular motion with the brush.
The circular motion is best for fabric as it gets into the weave of the fabric.
Use different colours

18. A stenciled fabric print inspired by sunflowers.
Teachers Notes
Creative classes like these should always aim to focus on the process of making, designing and creating. Finished products are nice but not the main focus when it comes to learning.
Printing and Stenciling can compliment classes such as
maths i.e. sorting and counting,
science and living- looking at pattern in nature,
geography/ history – if they are taught about an artist and where he comes from.
SPHE, English.- vocabulary building.
It can also involve team work.

19. Stencil Ideas What is the theme of this bag?
Can you think of other themes to inspire your printing?
What else could you print on besides a bag?
Think of a group printing project the whole class could do.
Teachers Notes
Ideas for other prints and stencils art pictures, wrapping paper (maybe for Christmas, birthday etc.,) fabrics, printed bags, flags, pillow cases.

20. Workshop Design : Maeve Hunter
Edited by: Carrie Lynam
Programme of CCoI Education Dept. 2012/13