This lesson was all about frottage – that is rubbing. So of course the children scoured the studio looking for different textures to make rubbings from, and investigated how moving the paper while you rub can achieve interesting effects (especially over the edges of the tables). But in addition, I showed them another really easy printmaking technique based on rubbing where you cut out paper shapes, stick them (in layers if wanted) on a piece of paper to make a plate, and then making a rubbing from that. The results are surprisingly effective and the technique is flexible enough to cater to any and all styles or subjects. It’s easy to make multiples, and then to work back into the prints with oil pastels or collage with them.
We used printing ink, normal cartridge paper (too thick and you won’t get as good a print), stick glue (you don’t want anything too wet) and a roller.
