Mono-Moonscape Painting/Collage

Explore positive and negative space using monoprint and collage techniques to create an imaginary lunar landscape.

• 1.

  Look at pictures of the moon's surface. Note various shapes and textures such as seas, craters, mountain ranges, and plains. Imagine what the surface of the moon would look like from a lunar module.

• 2.

  Cover a work area with recycled newspaper. Spread out a piece of paper-size plastic bubble wrap with the bubbles up. Pour one or two colors of Crayola® Washable Paint on a paper plate or palette. Roll a brayer in the paint to coat it. Roll the brayer over the bubbles.

• 3.

  Lay a piece of construction paper on top of the wet bubbles. Rub your hand gently over the surface to transfer the paint to the paper. Set the paper aside to dry.

• 4.

  Repeat the printing process with a second color. Place the paper in a slightly different place on the bubbles to create shadowed, textured effects.

• 5.

  Tear additional shapes from scraps of construction paper. Roll the paint brayer over the bubble wrap, arrange the torn shapes, and rub gently to make more prints. Let all painted surfaces dry.

• 6.

  On a larger piece of construction paper, arrange the painted papers into an aesthetically pleasing moonscape collage. Tear or cut pieces with Crayola Scissors. Mix equal parts of Crayola School Glue and water. Use Crayola Paint Brushes to spread the thinn

• 7.

  For additional color and texture, paint over the surface of the collage. Apply Crayola Glitter Glue into the wet paint and allow to dry.

Benefits

• Children study the topographic features of the moon's surface.
• Students demonstrate their knowledge about the moon by creating monoprint collages.
• Students use monoprint and collage techniques to explore negative and positive space.

Adaptations

• Students divide into small groups to discuss the moon's various topographic features, and the techniques they used to create these effects in their creations.
• Design moon vehicles using recycled boxes and other materials. How could these vehicles navigate such a bumpy surface?
• Keep journals of the moon's movement across the sky and its changes in shape. Look at the texture on a full moon. Use a telescope for an eye-opening view.
• Younger children and those with special needs may need assistance with rolling the brayer over the bubble wrap. Be sure the brayer has only a light coat of paint on it. Roll it on a second paper plate to remove excess.