Red Artist Seal Chop Lesson
An artist’s seal or chop is a stamp used to print a special mark to identify the artist’s work. It is equivalent to a person’s signature. We made artist’s chops to go along with my middle school classes’ Sumi-e Scroll Painting. This project could be adapted to younger students by using Styrofoam sheets instead of carving out of vinyl or linoleum.
Objectives:
- Students will learn about the use of artist’s seals or chops in the Asian culture.
- Students will design & create their own artist chop.
Materials: vinyl eraser, linoleum carving tools/Exacto knife, red ink pads
Delivery:
- An artist’s seal or chop is a stamp used to print a special mark to identify the artist’s work. It is equivalent to a person’s signature.
- The design of the chop is often a symbol or the artist’s name (or both) that is printed directly onto a piece of artwork.
- A chop is usually printed in bright red ink.
- The use of the chop originated in the orient thousands of years ago (particularly used by the Chinese).
- Chops are typically around the size of a finger. Larger chops called Jitsu in, are used for companies’ contracts & for individuals’ largest purchases, like cars & houses.
- A chop is carved out of either soapstone, jade, or wood.
This one was made in China for my family “East” as a gift from my nephew!
Instructions:
- Draw thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook of designs for your seal.
- You may choose to make your seal any way you want-name, abstract design, animal, etc.
- Draw the image backwards or mirror image so it will print correctly!!!
- Draw your design in pencil onto the vinyl carving block (eraser).
- Use linoleum carving tools/exacto knife to remove the “white” part of your design-where the paper will show through.
- PRACTICE printing on scrap paper.
- Print your seal onto your scroll using red ink (we usually use printmaking block ink).
Sumi-e Painting Lessons:
Sumi-e Painting History Lesson 1
Sumi-e Painting Techniques Lesson 2
More Info on Chops:
If you choose to use ANY part of this blog (pictures or written), please link back to Create Art with ME!
2 Comments
Hi! I plan to do this project this week with my 5th and 6th graders. I hope to add a component of shadow in there and I love your lesson.
Awesome Angie! Are you going to use Styrofoam or linoleum to create their chops? I usually use linoleum (or vinyl erasers). Have fun creating!!