Family how-to: felt-tip printing

By Lily McGuire and Wes Gilpin

Published on 17 November 2020

Make your own unique and colourful prints using felt-tip pens and an old baking dish.

Dish up a monoprint

Each year the Summer Exhibition has a room dedicated to prints — showcasing an array of ideas and techniques from etching to lithography and screenprinting.

Monoprints are made in a variety of ways, sometimes involving drawing or painting directly onto a printing plate. They can be quick to make, spontaneous and experimental, but unlike other methods, each print can only be made once.

Check out this years selection of prints to see what might inspire your own creations.

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What you need

• Felt-tip pens

• Sponge

• Cloth

• Paper

• Dish

• Tray

Step 1

Draw onto your dish using felt-tip pens.

Step 2

Using a damp cloth, thoroughly wet your printing paper.

Step 3

Absorb any excess water using a dry cloth.

Step 4

Place the wet side of your paper down onto your drawing. Then apply even pressure across its surface to make sure the ink transfers.

Step 5

Peel away your print and leave it to dry.

Step 6

Check out your work!

Families at the RA

Whether it's a free drop-in workshop or one of our fun and engaging Art Detective trails, the RA is brimming with colourful paintings and sculptures that are waiting to be explored. Everyone is welcome at the RA – and kids under 16 go free to all our exhibitions.