Printing on Paper Versus Fabric
I had my students in Art 3 and 4 creating etchings on Plexiglas. They learned how to print them using a printing press. The prints for the most part looked great. The students had a really large learning curve when it came to printing using the etching method. The paper has to wet, the ink is oil based, and the process is long. Patience is vital to the process, as well as trial and error.
They then had to print onto fabric. I myself was nervous, I had never printed an etching onto fabric before. Based on the research I did, it was possible. But I wasn’t sure what kind of fabric and how to pressure, basically all the logistical stuff. I also didn’t have enough fabric for everyone to print twice. So really the prints needed to be great on the first try. So we did it….. AND IT TURNED OUT AWESOME! I don’t know how, but almost every single one looked amazing. I just used cotton sheets that I cut up and I couldn’t be happier with it.
So basically the moral of the story is to not be afraid to try something totally new while student teaching. Just be sure too be honest with the students and prepare them just in case. And having a back up plan in your pocket never hurts. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!
