Relief Printmaking

Students chose either a Korean zodiac animal or Alaska Native totem animal as their influence. During the Winter Olympics we learned that traditional Korean culture follows a similar New Years zodiac as in traditional Chinese culture. Since we're in Alaska, we found similarities between how Korean zodiac animals and Alaska Native totem animals represent characteristics of people or groups of people. A variety of photos were available for students to work from after they made their choice. Students worked on drawings that used solid shapes, and textures made with line or pattern since printmaking involves carving an image which is very different from doing a shaded drawing. Some classes used foam printing plates, other classes used a soft rubber style printing material.