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Presenting Young Writers and Artists

How-to: Activity

How to Make a Radial Print

You will need:

  • Square white paper
  • Watercolor paints
  • Watercolor brush
  • Styrofoam plate/tray
  • Pencil
  • Black printing ink (or paint)
  • Brayer (roller for ink)
artistic rendering of multicolored radial print

1. Fold the square white paper in half in both directions so you have slight creases in the paper to use as guides. Start painting a circle of any color and size, in the center of your paper. Continue painting more circles of color around that circle. Use any colors you like and finish by painting the four corners of the paper as well, so the whole paper is covered with paint. Let dry.

How to Make a Radial Print - illusttation of Step 1

2. Styrofoam plates from a vegetable or meat tray from the grocery store work great for this project. Cut off the sides of the tray so it is flat. Cut a square plate that is 1/4 the size of your white, now painted paper. Cut one of the corners with a curve to use as a center guide when printing. To make a fancy edge, cut the opposite two edges to the circle, anyway you like.

Next draw a design into the Styrofoam. It helps if the pencil isn’t too sharp and don’t push so far into the plate that it comes out the other side. But also make an impression deep enough that the ink won’t flow into it. Be as detailed as you like..

How to Make a Radial Print - illustration of Step 2

3. Roll an even layer of ink onto the plate. Then flip it over onto the watercolor paper, lining up the edges of the plate with the folds of the paper, always keeping the curved cut corner into the center of the watercolor paper. That will always be your guide as you roll ink on the plate four times and then print four times, rotating the plate 1/4 turn each time. The black ink contrasts wonderfully with the watercolor paint.

Optional. Finish artwork by layering different lines/circles of oil pastels onto the colored circles.

Illustration of How To Make a Radial Print - Step 3