I just did a new take on Metal Repousee that worked out well.
Supplies:
books of poetry appropriate for children
newsprint cut same size as metal
pencils
aluminum metal cut into about 6 x 8" or 6 x 10"
(you can get about 60 out of the 25 ft roll sold by Sax if you cut it down
the middle)
(cut with scissors that you save just for this project)
dull pencils
wooden clay tools
later:
india ink
steel wool
Procedure:
Have the students select a poem that they particularly like.
Students type the poem on the computer. Print out and save.
Design a picture on the scrap paper that illustrates the poem, an idea from
the poem or a portion of the poem. Discuss how the metal repousee will have
detail but can be rather vague too. It also has a "certain feel" to it as a
medium that can be used to create mood.
AFter the idea is developed, working on a pad of newspaper, lay the paper
over the metal and trace you drawing hard into the metal. (It helps for the
teacher to demonstrate on a scrap piece at this time). Remove the paper.
Add details and lots of repeated pattern to fill in shapes and the
background with a very blunt pencil. (I post a repeat design handout on the
board for ideas). Emboss the metal using wooden clay tools. Work the front
then turn over and work the back.
When complete coat with india ink. Let dry overnight. The next day buff
lightly w/ steel wool according to how silver or how black you want it to
be.
Next have the students mount on construction paper also mounting their poem.
I stress craftsmanship and originality at this point. My students sometimes
add rope, ribbon, double and triple mounting, add shapes, mount at an angle
etc. The presentation is part of the grade. We use a glue gun but a
stapler also works on the metal.
May sound complicated but that is why my sixth graders like it-it looks more
grown-up to them. It is also a parent-pleaser. The metal is an old idea
that has been in Arts and Activities several times but not too many art
teachers use it any more so parents and students sometimes have never seen
it.
Note: when I taught in a private Christian school we did it around Easter
using the theme of the crucifixtion and resurrection. Very dramatic on the
metal with the ink as accent.
Afternote: one of my parents told me today that they used to do this project
when she was a girl but they did it by cutting open metal toothpaste tubes,
washing, flattening and using the backside. Hmmmmm.... this is an approach
for serious budget cuts but it might be hard to find genuine metal
toothpaste tubes nowadays......
