7th Grade - Copper Collage

Supplies:

1.  4 X 4 inch square of copper sheeting- one per student
2. 4 X 4 white square paper- one per student
3. popsicle sticks- one per student

4.  old newspapers
5.  pre-made poster size frame from Michael's
6. black matting board- poster size
7. Optional: card stock- to be used for matting each individual copper sheet (In the photos above, the top project does not have matting around each copper sheet and the example on the bottom has red and white matting.)

 Suggestions for Safety:

The students should be shown the proper ways to handle the copper 

pieces, as the edges are sharp.

Instructions:

1.   Show the students examples of the various copper tooling examples as in the pictures above.

2. Have the students draw a sketch on their piece of paper. (Any theme can be used.  A Fleur de lis theme was used in 2009.  In the pictures above, insects were used in the top example and hearts in the bottom. You may consider a local theme such as street cars or red beans and rice.  Each student could also do their own rendition of the front of the school .)

3.   Once the students are happy with their sketch,  instruct them  to tape the top and bottom of the sketch to their copper piece to prevent it moving as they were transferring the image. For this reason it is suggested that they leave a 1 inch margin along the top and bottom of their sketch.

4.   Next, they will need to place a thick pad of newspaper to begin their transfer on. If they don’t use the newspaper the lines won’t transfer. They should go over ever line of their sketch to transfer it to the copper plate. Trace over all lines with a ball point pen - remove drawing.

5.   After the sketch is transferred the students should use the Popsicle stick to begin pressing out areas of the copper (rounded modeling tools may also be used). This will give the project a 3-d effect. Turn back to front side and refine edges of design. A dull pencil works good for this if modeling tools are not available.

6. Optional:  Antique with liver of sulphur (if using copper tooling foil) - or antique with India ink (if using aluminum). Shoe polish may also be used.

7.  Take the finished copper sheets and matt them with the card stock

8.  Place them on the poster sized matting board

9. Glue them into rows with adhesive spray or craft glue

10.  place in the pre-made frame