Gelli Printing Lesson Plan: Create Layered Monoprints Inspired by Bruno Munari

Discover a complete Gelli printing lesson plan for educators and artists inspired by the playful genius of Bruno Munari. This step-by-step guide teaches essential monoprinting techniques like layering, creating DIY stencils, and building complex abstract compositions from simple shapes. A perfect art project for fostering creativity and experimentation in the classroom or at home.

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Playing with Layers: A Bruno Munari-Inspired Gelli Printing Workshop

Materials Needed:

  • Printing Surface: Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate (a 5x7 or 8x10 inch plate is perfect)
  • Ink Roller: Soft rubber brayer
  • Paints: Acrylic paints in a limited, complementary palette. For example:
    • Primary colors (Cadmium Yellow, Magenta, Cyan)
    • Black and White (for tinting and shading)
  • Paper:
    • Plain copy/printer paper for practice prints
    • A few sheets of higher-quality, smooth paper for final prints (e.g., cardstock, mixed media paper, or Bristol board)
  • Stencil & Masking Tools:
    • Cardstock or thin cardboard (like from a cereal box)
    • Scissors and/or a craft knife (with adult supervision if needed)
    • Hole punch
    • Found objects with interesting textures or shapes (e.g., leaves, bubble wrap, string, lace, mesh from a fruit bag)
  • Inspiration: A few printed images of Bruno Munari’s work, particularly his abstract compositions and designs that show layering.
  • Other Supplies:
    • Palette paper or a plastic sheet for rolling out paint
    • Paper towels or a damp sponge for cleanup
    • Apron or old t-shirt

Lesson Plan (Total Time: 120 Minutes)

Part 1: Introduction & Munari Inspiration (15 minutes)

Learning Objective: The student will be introduced to the artistic philosophy of Bruno Munari and identify his core design principles (simple shapes, layering, playfulness) to inspire their own printmaking.

  1. Meet the Artist (5 mins):
    • Introduce Bruno Munari as an artist, designer, and inventor who believed that art should be accessible and playful. Explain his idea of "playing with art" as a form of discovery.
    • Show examples of his work. Point out how he uses basic geometric shapes (circles, squares) and simple organic forms to create complex and beautiful compositions.
  2. Analyze and Discuss (10 mins):
    • Ask guiding questions to encourage observation:
      • "What do you notice about the colors? Do they look solid or transparent?"
      • "How does he use overlapping shapes to create new shapes and colors?"
      • "Even though these are simple shapes, does the artwork feel simple or complex? Why?"
    • Establish the goal for the session: We are not going to copy Munari, but we will borrow his playful spirit and his method of building images from simple, layered shapes.

Part 2: Tools, Techniques, and Stencil Making (30 minutes)

Learning Objective: The student will learn the basic process of inking a Gelli plate and pulling a print. They will create a personal set of stencils and masks inspired by Munari's aesthetic.

  1. Gelli Plate Basics (10 mins):
    • Demonstrate how to properly use the tools. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of a single color (let's start with yellow) onto the plate.
    • Show how to roll the brayer through the paint in multiple directions to get a thin, even, smooth layer. The sound should be a light hiss, not a sticky squelch.
    • Place a sheet of practice paper onto the inked plate. Rub your hand all over the back of the paper, ensuring contact everywhere.
    • Peel the paper back dramatically to reveal the first print! This is a "monoprint" because each one is unique.
  2. Stencil & Mask Creation (20 mins):
    • Explain the difference: A stencil is the shape you lay on the plate to block the paint (creating a white shape on your print). A mask is the paper with the shape cut out of it (creating a colored shape on your print).
    • Task the student with creating their own Munari-inspired tools. Using cardstock, scissors, and a hole punch, they should create:
      • 3-4 geometric shapes (circles, triangles, rectangles)
      • 2-3 organic, wavy, or blob-like shapes
      • At least one mask (e.g., the leftover cardstock after cutting out a circle)
    • Encourage them to also gather a few found objects (like a leaf or a piece of string) to use as stencils.

Part 3: The Experimentation Lab - Layering & Discovery (45 minutes)

Learning Objective: The student will experiment with layering at least two colors and multiple stencils to create prints with visual depth and complexity.

  1. First Layer - Using a Stencil (15 mins):
    • Roll out a light color (like yellow) onto the Gelli plate.
    • Place one or more of the created stencils directly onto the wet paint.
    • Lay a sheet of practice paper over everything and pull a print. Observe how the shape of the stencil appears as negative (white) space on the paper. Let this print dry to the side.
    • The Ghost Print! Remove the stencils from the plate. Notice the paint left behind? Place a fresh sheet of paper on the plate and pull this "ghost print." It will be a lighter, reversed image.
  2. Second Layer - Adding Color and Depth (20 mins):
    • Roll out a new, transparent color (like magenta) on the clean plate.
    • Take the first (dry) print and carefully lay it face-down onto the freshly inked plate. Pull the print. Now the white space is filled with the second color! Notice how the two colors create a third color where they overlap.
    • Try it with a Mask: Roll out another color. This time, place a MASK on the plate. Put a new piece of paper down and pull the print. This time, you get a solid block of color in the shape of the cutout.
  3. Free Play (10 mins):
    • This is the time for pure experimentation. Encourage the student to ask "What if...?"
      • "What if I use a dark color first and a light color second?"
      • "What if I layer three colors?"
      • "What if I use the string and a paper stencil on the same print?"
    • The goal here is process over product. Create a pile of interesting, experimental papers.

Part 4: Creating a Final Composition (20 minutes)

Learning Objective: The student will apply their experimental knowledge to create one or two intentional, well-composed final prints on high-quality paper.

  1. Plan the Piece (5 mins):
    • Look over all the practice prints. Identify which color combinations and stencil arrangements were most successful.
    • Encourage the student to quickly sketch or think through a 2-3 layer plan. Which color will go first? Which stencils will they use? How will they place them to create a balanced or dynamic composition?
  2. Execute the Print (15 mins):
    • Using the higher-quality paper, the student will now carefully create their final artwork.
    • Remind them to take their time, roll the paint evenly, and embrace any "happy accidents" that are part of the printmaking process. They can create one or two final pieces.

Part 5: Cleanup & Reflection (10 minutes)

Learning Objective: The student will care for their tools and verbally reflect on their artistic process, identifying successes and areas for future exploration.

  1. Studio Practice (5 mins): Clean the Gelli plate with water and a soft cloth/paper towel, wash the brayer thoroughly, and put away the paints. This is a crucial part of being an artist.
  2. Gallery Walk & Talk (5 mins):
    • Lay out all the prints made during the session, from the first pull to the final pieces.
    • Discuss the journey. Ask reflective questions:
      • "Which print is your absolute favorite? What makes it successful to you?"
      • "What was the most surprising or unexpected result you got?"
      • "Looking back at the Munari images, how did his ideas influence your work?"
      • "If you were to do this again, what is one new thing you would try?"
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