As we enjoy the summer sun, learn how to make a sun print using construction paper and items you can find at home. Find inspiration from artworks in the Gilcrease collection and recreate them with sunlight.

Materials Needed:

Black construction paper (or other dark color)
Household objects
Tape
A sunny spot that gets at least four hours of sun

Plan the Design

Materials Needed: 
Black construction paper (or other dark color)
Household objects

Step 1:
Browse Gilcrease Museum’s online collection website at collections.gilcrease.org. Find a piece of artwork that inspires you. For this example, Treescape by Woodrow Wilson Big Bow was used.

Step 2:
Look at the artwork you selected and find shapes of objects in the artwork. Look around the house and see if you can find items that are similar in shape to the objects in the artwork. For example, in Treescape there are four large trees which could be recreated with markers and pen that are long and slender.

Step 3:
Lay the construction paper on a flat workspace, like a table, and place the household objects out and recreate the artwork. Once you are satisfied with your creation it is time to prep our space in the sun!

Finding the Sunshine!

Materials Needed:
Black construction paper
Household items gathered for the artwork
Tape
A sunny spot that gets at least four hours of sun

Step 1:
Place the piece of construction paper in a sunny spot that gets full sun. This spot needs to be in the sun for at least four hours. The longer the construction paper is left in the sun the more contrast there will be in the sun print.

Step 2:
Tape the construction paper down to the ground so it does not blow away. In the example, the construction paper is taped down on all four corners.

Step 3:
Recreate the artwork that you selected using the household items that were collected earlier. Arrange the items on the construction paper. Everywhere there is an item the sun will not bleach. In the space where the sun hits the construction paper, the sun will bleach the black color. The black construction paper will look much lighter after it has been in the sun.

Step 4:
After you have let the items and construction paper sit in the sun for at least four hours you can check on the progress. Pick up one of the items and look at the paper underneath. If the paper was in full sun the part of the paper that was under the item should be much darker than the space around it. If you are happy with the result remove all the items from the paper and put them away in the house. Pull up the tape and admire your sun print!

Helpful Tip:
Try not to disturb or move the items on the construction paper.