Sixth-grade art students work on collaborative art piece

The sixth grade is currently learning the art of Monotype printmaking, a quick and sometimes very spontaneous way of making an image. Unlike other types of printmaking, this simple form allows only one print to be made hence "mono" type. The students all experimented individually and made prints, and then they each printed one piece on a long strip of paper. After the banner was dry, they began to work back into the piece as a group, adding marker and crayon.

After the banner was complete the class, taught by art teacher Kristen Wells, decided to make a giant monotype. Wells rolled a large sheet of plastic on the floor and the students mixed different colors and started to paint on the plastic together. When just the right amount of brushwork and color was attained, the students carried the large paper over and set it on top of the wet ink.

Students used their hands to gently rub the back of the paper and then carefully lifted the paper off. The paper was set on top of a table to dry, and the students gathered around to enjoy and discuss what they had created.