Mark Making & Mono Printing

Wednesday 13th March
This week's session was focused on mark making where we used a range of materials to create our own mark making tools and then had to use these to convey two different emotions.  I used paper straws and thin metal rods for my first piece to convey relaxed, fun and calm.  For my second piece I used a piece of textured plastic taped to the handle of a paintbrush to convey crazy, wild and manic.  Since I had extra time I created another mark making tool which became my favourite as it made unique 'ink splat' shapes.  I used paper straws as a handle and wrapped an elastic band around the top of them to create the 'brush'.

"Young children's initial mark-making reflects their early physical movements or actions and their visual representation of the world evolves alongside their physical development" (Rose and Rogers 2012 p.98) so as children develop they will be able to create different mark-making tools and different types of marks .

I thoroughly enjoyed the mark making session as it was so relaxing and free.  It allowed you to use your imagination to create new ways of making art and I can see how a class of children would enjoy it as there was no right or wrong way in the process of making the tools and using them.  Cox et al (2007) states the importance of experimenting with a range of different objects and materials, movements and mark-making to learn creatively so this would be a great exercise to develop their knowledge and understanding.  It would also enable a class of children to be completely creative and would be highly inclusive for children with both barriers to learning and disabilities.

The second part of the session was on Mono printing which I personally don't like due to the 'fuzzy' image it gives you although I can see how it would be effective with certain projects such as Street Art where that is the effect you are wanting to create.  It is also easy to explain to children and easy to resource so would be a good media to use when studying some of the visual elements (line and shape).

References
Cox, S., Watts, R. and Contributors (2007).  Teaching Art and Design 3-11: Reaching the Standard Series.  New York: Continuum International Publishing Group.

Rose and Rogers (2012).  The Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings.  Berkshire: Open University Press.