Elizabeth Catlett: Sharecropper — Five-Lesson Printmaking Project

Explore the work of artist and activist Elizabeth Catlett through her powerful print Sharecropper. This flexible, approximately five-lesson unit combines art history, visual analysis and hands-on foam-plate relief printing.

Students look closely at Catlett’s use of line, shape and texture, consider how her artwork communicates resilience, then create and print their own figure-based design.

This 39-slide PowerPoint includes:

An introduction to Elizabeth Catlett, printmaking and the historical context of Sharecropper

Visual analysis prompts and sketchbook activities

Step-by-step guidance for designing, transferring and printing a foam-plate image

Optional scaffolded guidance for students who need more support

Reflection questions and an extension artist-research task on Käthe Kollwitz

Students will:

Analyse how artists use visual elements to communicate ideas

Design an image that represents resilience or strength

Transfer a design to a foam printing plate and create multiple prints

Reflect on the choices and message in their finished work

Materials needed: Foam printing plates, tracing paper, pencils, masking tape, printing ink, rollers and paper.

The sequence is designed to take about five lessons, with timing adaptable to students’ pace and the time needed for making and printing.