Positive and Negative Shape Leaf Gelatin Prints

A special thanks to Hannah and Lesley Ann for taking these photos while I inked gelatin.. a lot of gelatin!

After discussing positive and negative shapes in art, students used a new-to-me printing technique to print leaf shapes on a gelatin "block".  

We began by inking a tray containing a half-inch layer of gelatin.  Then, student arranged leaves they previously gathered on the inked gelatin.

Carefully placing the paper on top and applying pressure all over the surface of the paper with their hands.

A pulled print reveals the negative shapes of the leaves.

But we aren't finished!  After removing the leaves, we made a second print using the ink left behind by the leaves.

A positive print!

Here are more examples:

These girls love printmaking!

Op Art Designs

Students looked at implied lines in art and the work of Op artist Bridget Riley.  Here are a few of their Op Art designs creating an implied line with alternating values.

Value

What is the difference between two dimensional and three dimensional?  

Two dimensional objects are flat like the circle drawn on this sheet of paper.  This circle only has height and width.

Three dimensional objects have height, width, and depth.  The ball sitting on the table is three dimensional.  You can walk all the way around the ball.  It has depth. 

So, look at the photograph of the drawing below.  Is the ball in the drawing two dimensional or three dimensional?

If you said two dimensional you are correct!  The "ball" is still only the circle drawn on paper.  However, I drew shadows (or lights and darks) to create the illusion that the flat circle is actually a three dimensional ball.

Adding lights and darks into a drawing is called adding value.  

Value can be defined as light, dark, and all the grays in between.

Below is an image of a value scale.  Artists use value scales to practice smooth transitions between black and white.

Look at the photograph above.  How do you see value in a world filled with color?

Often when artists capture value, or shadows, in their drawings and paintings, it is like they put on a pair of glasses that allows them to see the world in black, whites, and grays.  

Look at the same photo in black and white.  Do you see all of the values now?

Look at the drawing "Praying Hands" by Albrecht Durer by clicking here.  How has Durer created lights and darks in this drawing?