Mimeograph Madness

Submitted by: Becky Thornton, Middle School Art Teacher at Bob Courtway Middle School and Carl Stuart Middle School in Conway, Arkansas.
Grades: 6 - 8th grade

NOTE: This lesson was submitted in the early days of the worldwide web. Mimeographs are now hard to come by but this is for those who still are able to get their hands on mimeograph paper.

Procedure:

This lesson can be adapted to still life, landscapes, abstract and many other themes. I introduce it with the secondary colors and it is also a good tie-in to crayon resist or from crayon to watercolor or vice versa. Kids enjoy this project. It can be messy, but it can be a controlled mess. This process works best if the students draw large with less detail.

Materials:

• 8 ½" x 11" (21.5 x 28 cm) white Drawing Paper

• Paper to make sketches

• Drawing Pencils (preferably dull)

• Crayons

• Mimeograph paper (Can be obtained from tattoo suppliers now. Many people use Saral Transfer Paper when transferring images now)

• Sink or pan

• Water

• Newspapers

Steps:

1. Draw a thumbnail sketch.

2. Have it approved.

3. On 8 ½" x 11" (21.5 x 28 cm) paper draw your picture in pencil. **REMEMBER words must be written backwards.

4. Write your name and class period on the pencil side.

5. Get the mimeograph sheet. Lift up the top sheet. Take out the brownish sheet and throw it away. (Protective sheet between the carbon and cover sheet) Put pencil drawing on purple sheet.

6. Trace pencil drawing using heavy pressure. Have it checked.

7. Color purple side with crayon, neatly. Purple will smear if you get crayon on it. Color in all areas that you do not want light purple! If you want white, color white.

8. Get newspaper.

9. Put picture in pan of water (or sink of water). Using the brush part of the paintbrush, touch the purple lines on the paper to make them bleed. Let it sit in water. Take out of water using two paintbrushes as tongs (brush side).

10. Sit on newspaper and let dry.

Note: This project works best when carbon lines are somewhat thick. I have the students use a dull pencil. If you want a darker purple background, put a used carbon sheet in the water until the water is the shade of purple that you want. Then put in your paper. Some carbons do NOT bleed. Check it!! I use Spirit Masters. They work very well!

This lesson was submitted in the early days of IAD when teachers had no scanners or digital cameras to take pictures of student work.