Supplies Needed:
- Paper or fabric
- Fruits (apples, pears, oranges, bananas, lemons)
- Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, corn, mushrooms, bok choy, brussel sprouts, snow peas, okra)
- Tempera or poster paint (for paper)
- Acrylic paint or fabric paint (for fabric)
- Chopping board
- Knife *Parental Guidance is needed*
- Plastic plates or trays
Step 1
Gather fruits and veggies, ideally those that are already past their expiration date. Fruits you can use include apples, pears, oranges, bananas and lemons. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, potatoes, carrots, corn, mushrooms, bok choy, snow peas and okra make wonderful prints. Clean the fruits and vegetables. Wash and wipe them dry.
Step 2
Potato – slice into quarters, wedges or cut into specific shapes such as a flower or star
Carrot – same as potato
Broccoli and cauliflower – separate into individual florets
Bell pepper – slice crosswise in half, remove the seeds
Step 3
Apples and pears – cut lengthwise in half
Oranges and lemons – cut crosswise in half
Banana – cut in half or cut crosswise into 2-inch long pieces
Corn – cut in half and as an option skewer with a stick to make a handle
Step 4
Prepare your paper or fabric. Cut it into the desired size. Put different colors of paint in shallow plates or containers. Use tempera or poster paint if you are printing on paper. For fabric, go with acrylic paint or fabric paint. Add some water but do not water down too much. Mix well.
Step 5
Dip a fruit or vegetable in one color of paint, making sure that the bottom is evenly-coated with paint.
Step 6
Lift the fruit or veggie from the paint and gently shake off any dripping or excess paint.
Step 7
Press the painted side of the fruit or vegetable firmly onto the paper and lift the paper to check out the colored print
Step 8
Repeat the process (Steps 4 to 7) using other fruits and vegetables with different colors of paint. Discover the unique prints that each fruit or veggie makes.
Wipe off the paint from a fruit or veggie before dipping it into another color of paint to avoid getting mud-colored prints.
Step 9
Compose a picture using fruit and vegetable prints. You can make a garden scene, a beach landscape, a house, or even people and animals.
