4/5s Maya, Inca, and Aztec Inspired Repousse Designs

As the Incas, Aztecs and Maya are the topic of study in the 4/5 classroom, their art  inspired designs in art class.   These early civilizations had intricately patterned deities  involving images of birds, snakes, spears, etc. Taking image ideas from these cultures the students  designed 6"x6" squares to transfer to aluminum plates where they'll inscribe them in the art form known as repousse. The aluminum is placed on a surface of newspapers and pressed with an implement to push the design from the back to the front. As the plate is turned over it can be worked in both directions. The final result is a finely patterned design in low relief that is inked and then wiped down so the ink remains in the indented areas.

Pressing the design into the metal plate

Working on some small detail

Applying ink to the finished plate

Wiping it back so the ink stays in the indentations

Completed work

One more finished

4/5s Repousse Designs

Incas, Aztecs and Maya are the topic of study in the 4/5 classroom. These early civilizations had intricately patterned deities often involving images of birds, snakes, spears and more. Taking image ideas from these cultures the students are designing 6"x6" squares to transfer to soft copper plates where they'll inscribe them in the art form known as repousse. The copper is placed on a surface of newspapers and pressed with an implement to push the design from the back to the front. As the plate is turned over it can be worked in both directions. The final result is a finely patterned design in low relief that is inked and wiped then down so the ink remains in the indented areas.

Pencil design in a square format

Project beginnings

Applying a coat of ink

Wiping the ink off selected areas