Relief Print of Haida Art

Grade 4 and 5 students learned about Haida Art. We looked at different kinds of art forms of Haida Art, such as totem poles, masks, and prints. We noticed Haida artists simplified animal forms and used clear lines. They also learned about Robert Davidson who is one of Canada's most important contemporary visual artists and a Northwest Coast native of Haida descent.

Robert Davidson - Beaver

Totem pole in Vancouver

They created their own Haida style design for this printmaking project. They were encouraged to use one animal image for their design. They chose an animal that is commonly used in Haida Art, such as an eagle, whale, beaver, frog and bear.

They learned used a relief printmaking technique for this project.

A relief print is an image created by a printmaking process where protruding surface of the printing plate are inked and recessed areas are ink free. We used pressed foam-board printing plate and transferred their idea sketch on the plate. Students learned the printing process and its routine. They inked their plate with white paint first and then added second color with a brayer. They placed the plate on a black paper, facing the inked-side down, and covered it with a paper to rub the plate.

foam-board plate and its relief print

The finished prints are displayed in the hallway, outside of their classrooms. Awesome job!