Delita Martin Inspired Prints and Portraits

Kortni Hobbs
Course Level: 3rd Grade
Total Time: Two 50-Minute class periods
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I. PREPARATION
A. Materials:
1. (Be sure to have extra supplies)paint brushes, shallow containers for
water, roll of wax paper for placement of paint, roll of painters tape to hold wax
paper in place, gelatin plates in aluminum trays, acrylic paint in primary colors,
stand up make up mirrors, elmers glue sticks, pairs of round tip scissors,
variety of stencils, black, and white, 100+ pieces of 8.5 x 11 bristol board.
B. Resources:
1. Images of Delita Martins pieces:
http://www.blackboxpressstudio.com/Artist.asp?
ArtistID=36607&Akey=5XCHL8AH
2. Example prints and patterns I have previously made
C. Vocabulary:
1. Portrait - a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, esp.
one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.
2. Composition - the action of putting things together; formation or
construction
3. Brayer - small, hand-held rubber roller used to spread paint evenly on a
surface
4. Pattern - A repeated sequence of color and/or design
5. Layer - quantity, or thickness of material, typically one of several, covering
a surface or body
6. Overlapping - extending over so as to cover partly.
7. Plate - piece of thick, flat material, used to repeated impressions of design
8. Printmaking - process of designing and producing prints.
 9. Stencil - printing process by which areas are blocked out to keep paint
from non-image areas, creating negative space.
10. Negative Space - space around and between subject(s) of an image
11. Engraving - when lines are cute into plate, forcing paint into these lines
and wiped from flat surface of plate, which is then printed with paper, picking up
paint in the grooves of plate.
12. Edition - set of identical prints, that are numbered and signed
13. Monoprint - print pulled in an edition of one; there is no series of identical
prints that are signed and numbered.
14. Relief print - means of making prints by creating a raised design on a flat
surface.
II. TEACHING THE LESSON
A. INTRODUCTION:
1. Day 1 (10 Minutes) I will ask the class if they know what a pattern is,
asking them to give me examples. I will then show the students photos of Delita
Martins work. I will ask them what do they see? What colors does she use?
What is a common object in her prints? What do you think the peoples
expressions are trying to say? What patterns could you incorporate in your own
print?
2. I will then explain Delitas inspiration behind her pieces, and ask how they
are going to show their identities through their pieces. (EX: Using their favorite
colors, making patterns by painting musical notes on their plates if theyre into
music, their facial expressions in their portraits etc.)
3. I will show the class my own prints, patterns that I have made up of my
favorite colors, my hobbies, my initials, etc.
B. Day 2 (5 Minutes)
1. I will ask questions to review the material covered in the prior lesson:
What is the message behind Delita Martins work? What process does she
use? How does she use pattern?
a) Objectives:
(1) Students will learn:
(a) to produce a work of art that promotes dialogue
(b) identify color concepts (VA.5.3.4)
(c) experiment with color mixing (VA.5.3.5)
 (d) Investigate positive and negative space (VA.5.3.8)
(e) Demonstrate an understanding of various purposes for
creating art (VA.5.3.16)
(f) Arrange grade-level appropriate elements of art and principles of
design in a 2-D product (VA.6.3.2)
(g) Recognize the importance of art in history and heritage
(VA.7.3.1)
(h) Explain personal artwork and the works of others (VA.7.3.5)
(2) Use of Resources
(a) Resources will be used as stated in the introduction
(3) Demonstration (10 Minutes) I will:
(a) Show students examples I have made up of my favorite
colors, my hobbies, my initials, etc. again
(b) Write vocabulary for the project on the board as a reminder
for the students
(c) Use of journal to sketch design ideas to compose in what
order I want to put my patterns and portrait
(d) Demonstrate how to properly put paint on the plate and
spread with brayer, how to smoothly transfer the paint from the plate
to the paper by gently smoothing hand over the paper.
III. STUDENT ACTIVITY
A. Day 1: Part 1 (35 Minutes)
1. Sketchbook: Students will brainstorm a composition and the expression
they want to execute in their print.
2. Students will use the stand-up make up mirrors to use for drawing their
self-portraits
3. Students will cut these portraits out to use for next class
B. Day 2: (35 Minutes) Select a set group of students to pass out materials
1. The assignment:
a) Students will use acrylic paint and brushes and/or stencils to paint their
patterns on the gelatin plate. They will take the pieces of bristol board and
gently transfer the paint from the plate to board. They will then use the glue
sticks to set in place wherever they want their portrait drawing to be on their
patterned bristol board.
 b) Guided Practice: Remind students how to spread paint with brayer or
brushes, and how to use hand gently to make sure paint is evenly applied to
board.
c) Clean Up: 5-10 minutes before the end of class, students who finish early
will be asked to help clean up and collect unused supplies. give students
some warnings about how much time is left in the class as all materials
must be cleaned before being put away.
IV. Evaluation:
A. Day 1 (5 minutes)
1. Viewing Student Work - Ask some students if they would like to share their
portraits with the class
2. Discussion/Reinforcement - Sample Questions: What did we learn today
about Delita Martin? What is her inspiration behind her works? Tell me about
the expression you chose for your portrait?
B. Day 2 (10 Minutes)
1. Viewing Student Work - Ask students to volunteer to show their work and
showing their classmates
2. Discussion/Reinforcement - Ask students: Tell me about the colors you
chose. How did it effect the pattern decisions and making you made? How is
your work similar and different from the works of Delita Martin? (Thank
everyone for doing such wonderful work. Explain that their pictures will be
displayed in the hallway.)