Printmaking for Children - Introducing the Brayer

Simple printmaking can be done at a very young age. Children can print with any objects that has a shape and a relatively flat surface.
  • Potato printing is a traditional method of printing for young children, where by a shape is cut into the surface of half a potato. Other vegetables can be use for their difference in shape.
  • Painting on half of a sheet of paper and then folding the paper over is another method of printing by mirroring the applied paint on the opposite side of the paper.
  • Finger paintings also can be printed - a pool of paint on a slippery surface, such as a tray, can be swirled around and drawn in with the fingers then printed by placing paper over the top and rubbing firmly.
  •  Household objects can be printed with or any thing which had an interesting texture, such as cotton reels, potato mashers, toy cards, cups etc.

  •  Printing with sponge shapes
Printing sponges

Foam dabbers
Foam dabbers make wonderful prints which can be joined together to create a background, depth of colour applied by re-applying paint in certain areas and they can also be used make lines and shapes.
Sponge rollers for children
Sponge Rollers


The value of a brayer roller in printmaking with children


Brayer roller
Brayer rollers
We have added brayer rollers to our children's art product range. Overall, there are so many uses, no child should be with out a brayer. We believe their use to be invaluable when it comes to art with children.

Brayers are used for lino printing. Strength is required to cut  lino and the tools are sharp. However, great results can be achieved once children are old enough to do it.
The brayer is loaded with ink or paint and rolled over the lino, once the design has been cut into the surface. Paper or fabric is placed on top and pressed.
This can be pressed by rolling with a clean brayer.
Large Paint Stampers

For younger children, a brayer can be used with stampers to roll the paint evenly onto the surface of the stamp.
Rainbow Ink Pad


Brayers can be used by rolling on an ink pad. Applying pressure to the paper with the roller will make a wonderful background which can be graduated in colour.




And last but not least, a brayer is an excellent tool for rolling on top of something that has been glued, while the glue is wet, to save lumps and bumps forming and spread the glue evenly underneath. Well worth the investment just for that!

Cabbage leaf printing
Printing with foam dabbers
Printing with string


Printed butterfly

Comments

  1. AieshaJuly 26, 2012

    Very informative blog.A brayer is a very useful tool for to make a faux torn edge effect with paper for my cards or layouts.

    Hawaii Art

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glenda - Dining InJuly 30, 2012

    You really do have some lovely products and lovely ideas.
    One nice idea I used to do with a group of children is a big piece of paper and no talking. The task was to produce a picture between them without a word being spoken. One would start and and the others would try and work out what they were depicting and add to it. The silence meant they had to be acutely aware of body language and try and "read" each other and "read" the picture. It is a lovely thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rainbow CreationsSeptember 20, 2012

    Thanks for the tip Aisha, I expect your cards are very pretty done with a brayer to make the edges and it will give a great effect. Do you graduate the colour?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rainbow CreationsSeptember 20, 2012

    Thanks Glenda. That task sounds great fun and the children would learn such alot from it. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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