LESSON - “Symmetrical Mask Collographs”
Topic: Symmetry, Masks & Patterns, Collage, Collograph, Symmetry
Subject: Visual Art (with Cultural connection)
Grade Level: Elementary School (Higher Grades)
Time Frame: 3 - 4 class periods (40 min)
Author/Teacher: Filiz Soyak
Enduring Understanding:
 One artistic medium and technique can lead to and work with another.
 Artists use line and shape to create facial expressions.
Performance Task Overview:
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COLLAGE- Students will create collage masks/faces using patterns in symmetry.
RUBBINGS- Students will test their collages as collographs by making texture rubbings.
PRINT- Students will ink and print their collographs.
REFLECT- Students will assess and choose their strongest print.
Lesson Objectives:
 Students will learn how powerful symmetry is and how to create it using patterns and shapes.
Students will study examples of symmetry and pattern by looking at masks from all over the
world.
 Students will know how to collage and layer shapes to create depth and visual rhythm.
 Students will understand how one artistic medium and technique can lead and work with
another: How collage can turn into a collograph plate.
 Students will learn how to print collographs and how to curate/evaluate their own work.
Materials:
Matt board or book board for “plate” base
Sticky paper or tape (various thickness – sign material. Thicker works better.)
Copy Paper
Scissors
Water-based printing ink (black is best or white)
Plexiglass
Brayers
Newspaper
Paper (Thick enough to hold ink) of various colors (Black, Multicolored work best): TruRay
Organization & Distribution of materials-logistics:
-Each student will get one piece of 7 x 9 inches mat-board to use as a base; one piece of sticky
paper also 7 x 9 inches to cut and a pair of scissors.
-Students will have access but have to share scraps of sticky paper.
-Printing: students will have to work at printing stations. Each station will have a brayer to roll the
ink, a brayer to keep clean and use to transfer print, plexiglass to roll ink on, and a
predetermined ink.
-Paper for printing should be pre-cut to 9 x 11 inches so it allows for easy centering and a small
border around the print.
Key Terms & Vocabulary:
Symmetry
Patterns
Collage
Collograph
Printmaking
Brayer
Editions
Resources:
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Images of masks from all over the world, which use intricate and bold patterns, student work.
Essential Questions:
TOPIC QUESTION, “HOOK”:
 How do artists create facial expressions?
ASSOCIATION QUESTION (asked while looking at exemplary work):
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Why are masks used? (protection, disguise, cultural, ceremonial)
What do you notice about these different masks? What have the artists used to make
them interesting? (looking for line & pattern)
How has the artist used line and pattern? What does a pattern do?
What is a collage? How do you make a collage? (demo sticky paper)
What is symmetry? (balance/same) How do you create symmetry?
VISUALIZATION QUESTION:
 Think about what kind of a mask-collage you would want to create. What shape of a
face do you want? Rounded edges, wavy edges, angled edges?
 Do you want it to have an expression? How would you show it using lines?
 Think about what kind of patterns you can add. Remember to
 How can you build up depth and pattern?
TRANSITION QUESTION or STATEMENT:
 Plan what kind of shapes you need to cut out to make your face-mask collage.
 Remember to keep your design symmetrical.
EVALUATION:
 What else can you add to your composition to make it interesting, to finish it?
 Is your composition symmetrical?
 What do I need to do to make a successful print? (More pressure? Less pressure? More
ink? Less ink?)
 What does the color choice of paper do?
 What was your goal? Did you accomplish it?
 What difficulties did you have? Would you have done anything different?
 What did you learn? What are you proud of?
Teaching Procedure:
1. INTRODUCTION & DISCUSSION- Begin by looking at exemplary work together. Ask topic &
association questions. For first day talk about symmetry and how to create it using
patterns.
2. Demonstrate how to cut and layer the sticky paper.
3. First students will draw and cut the shape of their face using a folded up piece of copy
paper, creating perfect symmetry. They will then trace that shape onto the sticky plastic
and subsequently cut it out and stick it onto their base.
4. Students will cut out patterns and shapes out of scrap sticky paper and layer creating a
collaged face-mask.
5. Students should check their symmetry and balance by doing a rubbing on copy paper
using a crayon.
6. Talk about how certain artistic mediums and techniques can lead to and build onto
another technique. Explain what a collograph is.
7. Demonstrate printing. Show a “good” print and a “bad” print and talk about what
causes or changes in technique can affect the outcome of the print.
8. Put two to three students to a printing station. They will use one color of printing ink. They
use one brayer to roll out the ink onto their plate and will eyeball and place their printing
paper on top of their plate. Using a clean brayer they will press onto the paper rolling
back and forth to ensure the printing of their plate.
9. Students should print enough to have at least 2 good prints. All students should print 4-5
times. They should assess while they work and figure out what they would need to do
differently to make a print successful. (more ink, more pressure) Students should try
different colored paper to see what works best for their design. They will sign and edition
their strongest prints.
Assessment:
 SELF-CURATE: Students will pick the stronger of their prints and be able to explain their
rationale. They will be able to articulate the process they went through and why and
how they arrived at their final work.
 REFLECT & DISCUSS: As a class, we will look at all their prints and talk about symmetry,
balance and pattern. We will evaluate together using the reflective assessment
questions.
Link to Content Standards:
Methods, Materials and Techniques: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Elements and Principles of Design: 2.5
Drafting, Revising, and Exhibiting: 4.3
Critical Response: 5.3, 5.4
Concepts of Style, Stylistic Influence, and Stylistic Change