Colorful Reduction Clay Prints
Introduce students to the exciting process of reduction printmaking on clay using AMACO Velvet Underglazes. In this lesson, students create layered multicolor prints by carving away sections of craft foam between each color application. This process combines printmaking, color theory, and ceramic surface design to produce bold, graphic imagery on moist clay slabs.
Supplies List:
- 6"x6" Commercially Glazed Tile
- AMACO Ceramic Printing INKs
- AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze
- Craft Knife
- Brayer
- 2 mm 6"x6" Sticky-Back Craft Foam Sheet (one per person)
- Masking Tape
- Newspaper
- Drawing Materials
- AMACO No. 25 White Art Clay
Creating Registration & Slab
Cut a piece of newsprint with a 6" x 6"opening to register your print and the size border you prefer. We are using an 1 1/2" border. Then roll out a clay slab larger than 9" x 9" and slightly thicker than 1/4", smooth both sides.
Creating the Printing Plate
Cut the sticky back craft foam into a 6"x 6" square then peel and stick it to the glazed tile.
Drawing & Carving the Design
Draw the design and using a craft knife cut on the lines, cutting through the craft foam to the glazed tile.
Rolling the First INK Color
Use a brayer on a flat surface and roll the AMACO Ceramic Printing Ink on the craft foam. We are starting with the lightest color. Colors will overlap, start with the lightest value first.
Printing the First Layer
Press the inked craft foam onto the clay surface. Use the newsprint to help register the print. To get a better print carefully pick up the tile slab and flip it over to press the clay onto the tile. Mark the back of the tile to get a correct registration.
Revealing the First Color
Remove the tile and the surface should be printed with your first color.
Cleaning the Printing Plate
Instead of washing the tile use a paper towel and brayer to absorb the excess ink.
Removing Areas for the Next Color
Peel off parts that will not be printed again. In this example AMACO Ceramic Printing Ink INK-27 Turquoise Blude is used for the sky so the background will be removed.
Printing the Second Color
Once the background is removed it will not print again. The remaining foam sheet is inked with a second color and printed.
Adding the Third Color
Now that all the parts that will remain Chartreuse have been removed the third color can be rolled on and printed.
Cleaning Excess Underglaze
Use a cotton swab to easily remove excess underglaze on the tile.
Printing the Final Color Layer
Now that all the leaves have been removed, the next color was rolled onto the remaining parts to print.
Finishing the Border & Form
To finish the border, cut scraps to ink and print. The final print can be left flat or the rim bent upward for a more dimensional project.
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