Make Your Own Print

Louis le Brocquy was born in Dublin in 1916. He made many artworks about Ireland. His artwork The Táin illustrates the story of Meabh, The Queen of Connacht whose tomb is at the top of Knocknarea in Sligo.

He made these using a technique called Printmaking. Printmaking is creating a series of images from a specially prepared or carved surface - like wood, metal or stone. You then ink the surface up and press a piece of paper onto it. Pull away the piece of paper to reveal your finished print.

Louis le Brocquy, The Táin, 1916-2012

Louis le Brocquy, The Táin, 1916-2012

You are going to make your own print.
Louis le Brocquy used stone for his illustrations of The Táin, but for your prints you will use a potato!

What you will need

Potato

Pencils

Paper

Poster paint

Paint brush

Paint tray

Knife / Paper clip / Cookie cutter

Kitchen paper

Method

The first step is to come up with your design for your potato print. On a piece of paper sketch out your ideas. Try experimenting with different shapes and lines. With these prints the simpler the better!

When you have decided on your design it is time to prepare your potato. Get an adult to cut your potato in half.

Draw your pattern on your potato with a pen or pencil, don’t worry if it’s not very clear, it is just to guide you while carving.

Now your potato is ready to be carved. You will be carving away the parts of the potato’s surface that you don’t want to paint. Ask an adult to help carve your design using a knife or you can try yourself using a paper clip to dig out lines and grooves.

As the potato will be naturally wet, pat it dry with some kitchen paper.

Once the potato is dry you are ready for printing. Put paint onto the raised part of your potato using a paint brush or by dipping it in a thin layer of paint on a tray.

Firmly press the stamp onto a piece of paper for about three seconds then slowly lift the potato from the paper.

The best part of printmaking is that you can use the same design over and over again. Repeat the design and even try layering it to make new and different patterns.

You can even experiment with other vegetables – why not make cauliflower trees!

Pink Paint Splash

Ask a parent or guardian to take a picture of your work and share it with us.
Don’t forget to sign it with your name and age.

We will post your artwork on our website and Instagram account

@modelsligo / #themodelinsideout

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