Art Classes: Level V

LEVEL V - ART LESSON 9: The Lion Print from China

The lesson is suitable for students in grade 7 through adult.

Art Lesson Description:

Dan Polzin, a friend of ours who is living and working (and traveling a lot!) in China, has been sending us pictures of his travels, and this lion image seemed like a perfect subject for a challenging print project. It also provides us with some interesting insight into the history and culture of China.

We use the original Chinese art work as inspiration for making a print. We wanted to make sure that the project used inexpensive, easily-available materials, so our printing block is made of sections of foam cut from foam plates or carry-out boxes that we glue to a piece of cardboard. It takes several pieces of foam to make the printing plate, but the resulting surface makes an excellent printing plate!

Try printing on several types and colors of paper, and see what a difference the paper can make on the print.

This lesson includes both POWERPOINT and VIDEO versions of the lesson plus 2 downloadable printouts: a warmup and a drawing of the lion.

List of Supplies for Each Student:

A printout of the warmup (this is included with the lesson)
Brayer (#ad) (can be shared by a few students)
Drawing paper, construction paper, or other paper to print on
Several foam plates (#ad) foam deli trays, or foam carryout boxes with at least one smooth surface to make the printing block
Water-based printing ink (#ad) (black)
An inking plate (a flat sheet of plexiglass or a cookie sheet, or other flat, impervious surface)
Glue stick (#ad)
A very flat sheet of cardboard from the back of your tablet
A sharp pencil

Suggestions for Cross-Curricular Connections:

History: Learn about the history of ancient China.

Books about ancient China:

You Are There! Ancient China 305 BC (#ad)
DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China (#ad)
China (DK Eyewitness Books) (#ad)

Chinese food:

10 recipes for Chinese food that are fun to make with kids.
An introduction to what is unique about Chinese cooking.
Kidspot Kitchen’s recipes for Chinese food.

Chinese culture:

Learn about Chinese food, festivals, and how to use chopsticks.
Listen to Chinese music.

Literature:

Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom (#ad) by Katherine Paterson.
Spring Pearl: The Last Flower (#ad) by Laurence Yep.
The House of Sixty Fathers (#ad) by Meindert DeJong.
A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals (#ad) is a picture book that winds itself to a laugh-out-loud ending that will tickle the unconventional funny bone of children and young adults.