Potato Printing!

For Christmas... my husband got me this book:I've been dabbling a little bit with linoleum block printing. I need to get some more supplies... so in the mean time, I figured that I would try out what my book calls "Potato Printing". I thought that some of you might be interested in trying it yourself... so here is a mini tutorial that I put together! (I wouldn't recommend this for kids who aren't old enough to handle a knife... however, if you want your kids to draw a design, you could always be the designated potato cutter and let them join in the printing fun!)

For this project I used:

*Potato(es)
*Felt Tip Pen
*Water Color Paints (the real kind... not the kids kind on the little plastic palette)--you can also use tempera paint, it just needs to be water soluble
*Relatively sharp knife
*Paper Plate (use as your paint palette)
*Scrap Newspaper (to use at your workspace for easy clean up)
*Paper Towel
*Paint Brush
*Small cup of water (to rinse brush)
*Note cards/Paper


First, use your felt tip pen to make a simple design on a piece of paper. I made a heart, however something like a star might be easier. I didn't take a picture of this... but cut your potato in half and dab the juices on the paper towel... then press it onto your design. (The design should transfer fairly well).

Use your knife to CAREFULLY cut out the design about 1/4" deep.

Next, use your paint brush to paint on your desired color.

Then, press your potato onto your note card or paper... being VERY careful that the potato doesn't slip and slide.
Very carefully pull your potato off of the paper.

Repeat the process, wiping the potato in between on the paper towel (so that the paint and potato juices are wiped as clean as possible). Make sure to clean the brush if you are changing colors!

I also did a couple of other hearts on another potato and added it to my prints.

Here is one of the finished products! Quite easy and fun!

Let me know if you try this! I would love to see what you've come up with!