Adinkra Symbol Print 3

Adinkra Symbol Print

Unit: African Art
Grades: 7-8 Proficient
Medium: Printmaking
Durations: 2.5 class periods

Objectives
Students will demonstrate a type of relief block print.
Students will create an original symbol stamp that communicates identity.
Students will identify and use positive and negative shapes to create a
stamp.
Art Production
Day 1
1. Anticipatory Set
2. For this project were going to create a stamp that is unique to our individual
identity, using positive and negative shapes cut out off an eraser. Then we
will all make collaborative prints that display each of our stamp symbols.
3. Input: adinkra_powerpoint.pptx
4. Worksheet: Have students complete the Adinkra Symbols Worksheet and
begin thinking about what symbol they would like to use to represent
themselves. Students should be reminded to use all of the space in the
squares and not use tiny details, as they will be difficult to carve. (Show
Examples) Color in negative space with pencil to confirm the design.
5. Demonstrate: The goal in carving is to cut away anything you don't want
printed and leave what you do want printed. At the same time, you want
to make your cuts at an angle so that the cut edges are not vertical. They
should slope away from the printing surface like the first example here:


8.1 This is a cross section
representing a correctly
carved block.
8.2 This block will not last as
long as the first example.
8.3 Trouble. This is called
undercutting and the
stamp is likely to fall apart.
6. Check for understanding: Have students do a practice cut on one block.
Carving one straight line and one curved line into the practice eraser,
students should practice using the X-acto blade, as well as, the V-gouge/
U-gouge tools.
7. Demonstrate: Tape a piece of tracing paper over your chosen image and
redraw it on the tracing paper with an ebony pencil. Then lay the tracing
paper with the drawn-on side down on the rubber stamp. Retrace your
drawing with a #2 Pencil. The pressure will transfer some of the graphite
to the rubber.
8. When you lift the tracing paper, the image will be reproduced on the rubber in

Materials
3x3 Tracing Paper
Ebony Pencil
#2 Pencil
Ballpoint Pen
Xyron Adhesive Eraser Cubes (2 per)
X-acto Knives
V-gouge/U-gouge
9x12 Black Construction Paper
Ruler
Speedball Ink (Red, Blue, Yellow, White)
Paint Tray
Newsprint (cover print stations)
Brayers
Elements of Art
Shape
Principles of Design
Unity, Rhythm
Vocabulary
Adinkra
Printmaking
Relief Print
Undercutting
V-gouge/U-gouge
Art History/Resources
Adinkra_powerpoint.pptx
AdinkraSymbolsWorksheet





Adinkra Symbol Print 3
graphite. You will notice that the image is reversed left to right from your
original. That is what you want because when you make a print it will be
reversed again which should bring it back to the original orientation.
9. Once you are happy with your design, trace over it with a ballpoint pen so the
design does not accidentally rub the design off while you are carving.
Also, write your name in pen on the backside of your stamp.
10. Independent Practice: Students should begin carving their designs from the
eraser. This will likely take into the next class period if students are
working thoughtfully and carefully.
11. Closure: 5 minutes- clean your stations off, no eraser evidence left behind.
Have a place for students to store their worksheet and stamps. Next time
we have class we will finish our stamps and begin printing.
Day 2
12. Today were going to finish up our stamps and create our collaborative prints.
13. Guided practice: Before you begin working on your stamp. Each of you have a
black sheet of paper on which I want you to create a border all the way
around. (Demo) Using your #2 pencil and ruler, with the paper portrait
orientation, mark off 1 border for top and bottom and a 1.5 border for
left and right. Now mark off a 2x2 square on the top left corner. This is
where your stamp will go on your version of the collaborative print. Write
your initials lightly in the bottom right hand corner so you can identify
which paper is yours. Everyone place your paper on the printing table.
14. Demonstrate: When you are finished carving your stamp, bring it to me for
approval (test the stamp using white paint to check for any irregularities or
improvements that can be made) and then you may begin printing.
15. Demonstrate: You have a selection of 4 colors to choose from; you may only
use one. Once you have selected your color, roll the brayer in the
Speedball paint to create an even layer. Press your stamp into the paint
and test it on the newsprint. When you notice the paint it becoming
significantly uneven roll the brayer again. It is important that you get an
even coat of paint on your stamp each time you print.
16. Once you have gotten the hang of printing with your stamp you may begin
adding your stamp to everyones paper. Begin with your own in the top
left corner. You might stamp on a different place on everyones paper and
that is okay. Stamp from left to right and then up and down. So if you
come to a paper where there are no stamps yet, begin your stamp on the
right of that papers marked on 2 square. If a whole line has been filled
up, begin on the left to create a second line.
17. Independent Practice: Students will finish their stamps and add their stamp to
each classmates paper or every other classmates paper (depending on
class size)
18. Closure When you are finished printing, wipe off your stamps and rinse them
with water. Place your stamp in your classs box and clean your carving
station. When everyone is finished printing, place prints on drying rack.
Next time we come in we will talk briefly about each others stamp
designs and their significance or meaning.
Modifications/Notes
Prep for Day 1:
Each students station should have the
following:
Adinkra Symbols Worksheet
#2 Pencil
Ebony Pencil
Ballpoint Pen
Tracing Paper (3x3)
2 Xyron Adhesive Eraser Cubes
X-acto Knife
V-gouge or U-gouge Tool
Prep for Day 2:
Each students station should have the
following:
#2 Pencil
Ruler
X-acto Knife
V-gouge or U-gouge Tool

The printing station should have the
following:
Newsprint covering surface
Trays of Speedball Paint
(4 or each color)
Brayers in trays
Students will surround edge of table
with their papers. Paint colors should be
accessible from all edges of the table, add
more trays if necessary.

Prep for Day 3:
Each students station should have the
following:
Print/Sketch Comparison Worksheet
#2 Pencil
Paper towel to wipe stamp off on
2-3 ink pads should be passed around the
room for printing.

Adinkra Symbol Print 3
Print/Sketch Comparison:
Students will redraw their design, blocking out the positive shapes in solid color.
Next to that students will make a print of their stamp using a standard inkpad.
A small paragraph (4-5 sentences) should be written comparing and contrasting
the two and evaluating the success of the stamp.
(Done on Day 3 as part of the short critique 5-10 minutes max)
Aesthetic Questions
If the Adinkra prints are considered art does that mean stamps from the crafts
store can be considered art?
Is it the stamp itself that is the art or just the print you make with it?
Art Criticism/Analysis Questions
Does your stamp resemble your original design?
Did the color you chose have anything to do with the meaning of your
print?
Do you still think your stamp represent your personal identity?
Evaluation Criteria