LESSON 5 POTATO PRINTING STRUCTURE 5.0 OBJECTIVES 5.1 INTRODUCTION 5.2 POTATO BLOCKS 5.3 MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR POTATO PRINTING 5.4 STEPS INVOLVED IN POTATO PRINTING 5.5 ALTERNATE METHODS OF BLOCK MAKING 5.5.1 MAKING BLOCKS WITH THE HELP OF A STENCIL 5.5.2 MAKING BLOCKS WITH THE HELP OF COOKIE CUTTERS 5.6 TIPS RELATED TO POTATO PRINTING 5.7 USES OF POTATO PRINTING 5.8 LIMITATIONS 5.9 ASSIGNMENTS 5.9.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 5.9.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS 5.10 SUMMING UP 5.11 TERMINAL QUESTIONS 5.12 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING 5.13 GLOSSARY
5. POTATO PRINTING In the previous lesson we had learnt that there are a large number of objects around us, which can be used for doing creative printing work on paper or fabric. In this lesson we are going to learn about one of the elementary techniques of Block Printing called Potato Printing. 5.0 Objectives After going through this lesson you will be able to Understand how to make a block out of a potato. Understand the process of potato printing. Understand the use of cookie cutters for making blocks from potatoes and use them for making creative designs. 5.1 Introduction In the previous lesson, we had fun exploring various objects around us and experimenting with them, for use as elementary blocks, for the purpose of printing. We had also learnt that printing is not a mechanical application of a block to the surface of paper or fabric, but that it involves use of creativity and aesthetics. In this regard we had also made a mention about the need to integrate the principles of use of colour schemes, placement of design and the value of space, in any creative design activity. It is important to know that the actual blocks which are made and used for printing of textiles are made by skilled artisans who have mastered the art of engraving on wood. This is a job which calls for considerable skill and expertise. When we have to do block printing, we normally go to the market and buy readymade blocks. (Fig. 5.1) Fig. 5.1 Wooden printing blocks
5.2 Potato Blocks After having explored the use of objects around us for printing, let us move one step ahead and get a feel of how a simple block is made. For this we will introduce the most elementary technique of block making, i.e., carving a block from a potato (Figs. 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4). Fig. 5.2 A potato for making block Fig. 5.3 A fish shaped potato block Fig. 5.4 A leaf shaped potato block Amongst the various methods of printing, one of the simplest techniques is that of Potato Printing. This technique is used to teach children in schools about block printing. The advantage of this technique is that it is cheap and simple. It also imparts a good understanding of how a real Block is made and how it can be used. Activity 1. Draw a five Patel flower on a half cut potato and cut it with a paper cutter. 5.3 Materials Required for Potato Printing The following materials are required for potato printing work: Large potatoes Kitchen knife or craft knife News Paper and paper plates Transparent tape Scissors Black marker pen, pencil and glitter pens Fabric paints, poster colours
Brushes Sponge Paper and fabric 5.4 Steps Involved in Potato Printing The following are the steps involved in potato printing: Cut a potato, length-wise, into half. The two raw surfaces will be used as the stamps for printing. With a black marker, draw the shape of the block you wish to make, on the flat surface of the cut potato. Several simple shapes can be used for making blocks, like a star, a fish, moon, sun, triangle, a smiley face etc. Use the kitchen knife to carve the background away, so that the design is at least 1/4 inch above the surface of the potato. Pour various colours of paint on the paper plates. Dip the potato block in the paint and gently place the block onto the paper or fabric and press. Allow to dry. You should try the printing on paper first. Activity 2. Using poster colours, sketch pens and the floral potato block make a floral bouquet on a paper. 5.5 Alternate Methods of Block Making Let us now describe and demonstrate alternate methods of making blocks from potatoes. We propose to discuss two methods here, viz.:
By using a stencil By using a cookie cutter 5.5.1 Making blocks with the help of a stencil Slice the potato into half and then cut all the four edges of the potato, to make a square or rectangular shape. Then leave it overnight to dry. Draw a pattern on paper. Cut out the pattern and use it like a stencil to carve out a design on the potato. Now place this stencil on the cut, flat surface of the potato and tape it, to hold it firmly in place (Fig. 5.5). Fig. 5.5 Taping stencil to flat surface of a cut potato Fig. 5.6 Potato block ready for use after digging the pattern Then start cutting into the potato with the help of a small knife. After the pattern has been dug into the potato, remove the paper pattern. The block is now ready for use. (Fig. 5.6) For printing on paper, poster paint should be used; while for printing on fabric, fabric paints must be used. It is important to note that in the previous method of making a block, the design was carved in such a way that it was projecting out from the surface of the potato by about 1/4th inch. While in this method of making a block from a paper stencil, the design surface of the block remains on the flat surface of the potato. It does not project out. Activity 3. Make a potato block with the help of a stencil as explained above make a design for a gift wrapping paper.
5.5.2 Making blocks with the help of Cookie Cutters Cookie cutters are small aluminium moulds which are used to give shape to cakes, biscuits and cookies (Fig. 5.7). These can provide readymade shapes for designs for the blocks. Cookie cutters are available in the market in various shapes viz., flowers, animals, birds, alphabets, numbers and different geometrical shapes etc. Now let us learn how to make blocks with the help of cookie cutters. Slice a large potato, lengthwise, into half. Place the cookie cutter on the flat side of a sliced potato. The other half of the potato can be used for making another block. Push cutter through potato, keeping potato flat on table (Fig. 5.8a). Break away excess potato (Fig. 5.8b). Poke the block out of the cutter (Fig. 5.8c). Fig. 5.7 Cookie cutters a b c Fig. 5.8 a. Push cookie cutter through the potato, b. Break away excess potato, c. Poke the block out of the cutter Spread a thin layer of fabric paint on a paper plate. Dip the block in paint a few times, keeping the white side down, and moving it around for an even coat of the paint. Stamp the block on a paper or cotton fabric, pressing down firmly for five seconds. On removing the block, a beautiful print will be seen on the surface. Activity 4. Using different shapes of cookie cutters make four potato blocks and make two compositions and further decorate them with glitter pens. 5. Print a cushion cover of 18 x 18 using potato printing. 5.6 Tips Related to Potato Printing Following are some tips related to potato printing: Potato printing is wonderful for getting good results, using simple designs such as leaves, flowers, animals, checkerboards, stars, etc.
To make a multi-coloured design, first print with one colour. After it has dried, overprint with another design and colour, for a layered design. The potato halves can be washed off and used again with a different colour combination. When the paint is dry, the designs can be highlighted with markers, glitters, or other decorations. 5.7 Uses of Potato Printing Potato printing can be done on paper to make beautiful gift wrapping sheets, greeting cards, folders etc. It can also be done on fabrics like casement, mulmul, cotton etc. that can be used to make cushion covers, table mats, tablecloths etc. This kind of printing gives a very unique hand printed effect. 5.8 Limitations Potato Printing has its own limitations. Unlike a wooden block, a potato cannot be kept for too long because it loses its shape. Also the designs have their limitations. On wooden blocks, one can have very intricate designs, with more that one colour in the same motif. But in case of potato blocks, the designs have to be simple and bold. 5.9 Assignments 5.9.1 Class assignments i) Make three blocks from potatoes in different designs through the following techniques: ii) Make a design on the potato with the help of a marker and carve out the design. Make a paper stencil and carve out a design on the potato. Use a cookie cutter and carve out a design on the potato. Make three compositions on A4 sized paper sheets with the help of the three blocks that have been prepared.
5.9.2 Home assignment i) Print a handkerchief with one of the block designs. 5.10 Summing Up One of the most elementary forms of a printing block is one made from a potato. Designs on a potato block can be made in the following manner: By drawing a design on the sliced surface of a potato and then carving out the design. With the help of a stencil. With the help of a cookie cutter. 5.11 Terminal Questions 1. Explain briefly the two methods of making potato blocks. 2. What are the limitations of potato printing? 5.12 References and Suggested Further Reading 1. http://www.marthastewart.com (http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel380030&sit e=) 2. http://fun.familyeducation.com (http://fun.familyeducation.com/crafts/childrensart-activities/35252.html) 5.13 Glossary 1. Integrate Combine into a whole 2. Artisans Craftsman 3. Expertise Special skill, knowledge
4. Projections Stick out beyond a surface or edge 5. Intricate Complex, complicate, full of fine details