April 11, 2012

*Reduce *Reuse *Recycle - NEWSPAPER Abe {tutorial}

 During the month of April, EARTH MONTH (yay), I will "attempt" to post all of my current repurposed and recycled art projects. I'm a big fan of using repurposed items in my art projects and in daily life as well. What a great month of learning and getting into good habits!


Newspaper Abe 



This has been one of my most simple, collaborative, kid art murals made with elementary kids, but for all ages! I love the fact that we used the portrait of Honest Abraham Lincoln (one of my favorite presidents), repurposed newspapers, crayons, a permanent marker, and of course...  
almost 80 1st graders!

And... you can make your own newspaper art in a smaller form with your preferred portrait/s! Be creative.

(We actually completed this near Presidents' Day, but this is my life. Art projects are one story, posting them is another!)

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Here's my quick tutorial:



(measure, cut, screw, spackle, sand, clean, gesso)




Materials for Wood Canvas:
  • 1" x 2"s
  • masonite board, 1/4" thickness
  • flat head screws, size 6x3/4
  • spackle
  • gesso
(Depending on your desired size will also determine how much of each material you will need.)
*Instead of making your own wood canvas you can use a pre-stretched canvas board, any size.



Materials for Newspaper Abe:
  • transparency sheet (and a projector)
  • newspapers
  • permanent marker
  • crayons
  • Mod Podge
  • plastic wrap

  • Use transparency and overhead projector - free images from openclipart.  


  • Tape newspaper seams together on the back side, trace, and fill in image with permanent marker on the front side.


 
  • On the back side, graph and number the amount of squares or "shapes" you want. I made a small model on another paper, labeling all of the outside squares just in case I was confused later-it helped! 




  • Cut the newspaper and then color each square with crayons. Be creative! (pattern art, theme art, color schemes, shapes...)
  • Reassemble your shapes back together. 
  • Apply a little more than a thin layer of Mod Podge to your canvas.
  • Carefully lay your colored squares on the Mod Podged area.






  • Lay plastic wrap over the Mod Podge newspaper squares to help smooth out. 
  • Stack books on top so the squares dry flat and do not curl. This helps protect the artwork and books. Dry time as directed on bottle. 
  • Repeat until complete.


Helpful Tips: 

  • Instead of adhering square by square, tape 2 rows together at a time, only using a small amount of tape on the reverse side. Then adhere on the canvas two rows at a time. This helps make sure everything will line up and it's fast! 
  • During each drying wait, wrap & seal your brush up in plastic wrap (so it won't dry out or have to clean it several times).



Make a funny face!

I see mine!

Honest Abe. Good person. Good president.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. 




We've added to our collection! Go here to see our newest additions:








I do NOT SPAM! You won't be sorry when you get the SUPER SECRETE SALES & SNEAK PEEKS!

Thank you for stopping by 

13 comments:

  1. Hey Candice, This project looks amazing. That is so neat how you use your talent and share it with so many others, particularly the young ones. Love it!!!

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  2. Candice this is awesome! One of my favorite projects EVER. So cool!!

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  3. Thanks Amy! It looks really nice on the school wall too! They did a good job!

    cheers,
    Candice

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  4. Wow! This is great and easy to make as well! Thanks for sharing! Now following you!

    Alia
    http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.in/

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  5. Thanks for this great idea! Our own take on this project turned out great! https://www.flickr.com/photos/109908453@N05/14539113164/

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  6. You're welcome! I did take a look and they were so creative and amazing. Anything kids touch turn out brilliant! Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Love your work especially Abraham Lincoln piece. I have a query, now that I have subscribed to your mailing list will I get notified of blog posts? Or do I sign up for blog another way?

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  8. The effect with the newspaper and the multiple colors turned out really contemporary and amazing. Good work.

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