Printmaking can be a fun way to explore the world of art. There are a variety of mediums you can use and styrofoam is just one of them. It is free, available and you are recycling at the same time. So save those styrofoam trays and get ready to create!
What you need:
What you do:
1. Cut off an of the rounded and raised edges of the styrofoam trays. You want them to lay flat. Give each child a tray to work with.
2. Have them draw their picture on the tray with the pen, pencil or stylus. The lines need to be deep. And remember if they are writing words everything will print "backwards" so words need to be written backwards and the letters would need to be reversed as well. It's best to avoid words with younger children.
3. While the children are drawing, spread out several layers of newspaper on a table or other flat working surface. Pour a small amount of paint or ink onto the styrofoam print block you just made. Spread it smooth with the brayer so you have an even layer completely coating the styrofoam print block. You can also use a wide paint brush.
4. Quickly lay a clean sheet of paper on top of the inked styrofoam print block and smooth the paper out. Now carefully pull the paper back from one end and lay it out to dry.