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Lesson Plans


Foil and Tin Work & Is Anyone Out There?

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Mark Alexander (Alexander)mamjam)
Fri, 3 Jan 1997 17:02:44 -0500

Tina ARndT was wondering where everyone has been, and actually I've
noticed a slow down myself. I know there have been good questions coming
through that I don't get to see the answers to. I'd like to ask that the
rest of the list users reply to the whole group, as Alex had done. That way
the rest of us can learn from the interaction and participate when
appropriate. Please share your knowledge and insight by including the list
in all your replies!
That said, thanks, Jean, for asking us this foil art query, and
thanks, Alex, for the great response. I'm a first year teacher who has
never done this stuff and has just learned a lot! How was first year
teaching back before the invention of this great internet resource?
Alex, I have two questions: Are yopu talking about the same foil in
both of the technioques you've listed? Or is #1 using aluminum foil from
the kitchen and #2 using builder's flashing foil? Also, do you ever have
problems with cuts from the sharp edges of the foil?
Please reply to the group, because I can't believe Jean and I are the
only ones who can learn from these exchanges!
Thanks, Mark

>Hi Jean;
>
>Here are two 'metal-working' techniques I use with my 7th grade arts
>and crafts classes.
>
>1) Low Relief Sculpture: Students use a cardboard base and add
>layers of cut-out cardboard shapes; the more layers the better.
>When the armature is done, it's covered with white glue. Pieces of
>lightly crinkled foil are placed over the gluey armature and then
>patted into all the cracks and crevices. Large pieces will require
>multiple pieces of foil. After the surface dries, the foil along the
>edges is trimmed to one inch and then turned and glued onto the back.
>Students then blot black tempera paint onto the front surface, let it
>dry for 5 minutes and then buff it off with multiple paper towels.
>To hang the sculpture, we hot-glue a large paperclip to the back.
>This technique simulates embossed metal very well. We have used it
>for medieval shields in social studies as well as in art class
>projects.
>
>2) Aluminum Flashing Metal Sculpture: Non-galvanized aluminum
>flashing is sold in hardware stores in 10 foot and 50 foot roles. It
>comes in a variety of widths, up to 20 inches. It can be cut with
>good scissors into a variety of shapes. It is the closest material
>to Mexican tin that I have found. We have cut out shapes and then
>done punched designs on them, using several magazines for backing,
>old sharpened screwdrivers and mallets. These pieces can be colored
>using permanent markers. We have also spray painted a base of enamel
>paint and then added details in acrylic paint. The aluminum can also
>be scribbed with lines, lightly pounded into concave shapes (old
>sandbags work great for this) and bent into three-dimensional forms.
>I find this material to have great possibilities and be quite
>reasonable in price. I actually incorporate aluminum flashing into
>my own mixed media sculpture!
>
>Hope these ideas will help you out.
>
>Alix Peshette
>Emerson Junior High School
>Davis, CA

  • Maybe reply: Griswold, Charlotte: "Re: Foil and Tin Work & Is Anyone Out There?"