Grade Level
7-8, 9-10, 11-12Duration
2-3 45 minute class periods
Materials
Black India Ink. sharpie, micron pens, white smooth cardstock, scissors, glue. air spray canister (check and see if your tech folks have some to share) or straws, color pencils (optional)
Media
Pen and Ink, India Ink
Lesson Objectives
For the student to stretch their imaginative thinking skills.
Introductory Activity
Look at artist and his process in creating ink blob monsters. As a warm up you can look at Rorschach Tests and play Complete the Incomplete Figure Test. You can find that in the Resource List. Also, watch the videos on how artist Stefan Bucher , creator of these ink blot monsters, explains his process for creating his ink splatters and the general process of making a monster.
Lesson Process
Each student should have several sheets of smooth illustration cardstock. Put a drop of ink down (Stefan Bucher uses a toothbrush) and use the air spray to spread the ink. Don’t over blow the ink, one or two passes. Make several ink blots on your paper and let dry. The student can then look through and see which inspires them. Develop the monster- add a body and features with your sharpies and micron pens. You can add on top of the ink by drawing and cutting eyes or other features and gluing them on top.
Vocabulary
illustration, imagination, graphic art, styleResources
11 Ink Monster ideas
7 Fun Exercises to Quickly Improve Creative Thinking | Artwork Archive
Awesome Ink Blot Monsters By Stefan Bucher
Stefan Bucher Shows How He Creates Ink Blots – YouTube
Skillshare: “Drawing Daily Monsters: Finding Inspiration in a Drop of Ink” – YouTube
344 Daily Monster 01 – YouTube
Author & Website/Blog
Maureen Meyer