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Monotone Marine Life Prints

We are celebrating the printed artworks of Torres Strait Islander artist Billy Missi by creating our own marine life–themed monotone prints. We can look at Billy Missi’s artworks, identify and discuss the use of pattern and shape, then create our own prints using stencils, cut paper and yarn.

Step 1

Apply a small amount of black and white paint to your gel plate, then use a rubber roller to loosely mix the colours together. Place a piece of paper onto the paint, press over the back, then lift to reveal your background print. Make 4–6 different background prints and leave them to dry for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Apply a small amount of a single colour to your plate and use a roller to create a thin layer of paint. Place a stencil onto the paint, then lift it off, leaving only the painted pattern. Now place one of the background prints face down onto the gel plate and press over the back before lifting off to reveal your print.

Step 3

Apply another layer of a single colour of paint to your plate. Place a long piece of yarn onto the plate, letting it swirl across the surface. Now place one of your background pieces face down onto the yarn and press firmly over the back, feeling for the spaces between the yarn. Lift your paper off to reveal your print. Remove the yarn and place another background print onto the plate to capture a ghost print.

Step 4

Continue creating print layers by experimenting with different stencils, hand-cut paper shapes, yarn and more. When you are happy with your selection of prints, leave them to dry completely.

Step 5

Choose one of your prints and trim off any unprinted area to create a rectangle. Draw your chosen marine-life creature or plant on the back, then carefully cut it out.