Styrofoam Khachkar Craft

Materials needed:

• Styrofoam blocks 6"w X 12"l x 2" d (can be 1"d if more economical)

• pencils

• scissors

• construction paper (white)

• plastic trays, wax paper or anything suitable for mixing paint - enough for each participant
• white gesso

• deep cups for water and to distribute gesso among participants

• 1/2" brushes enough for all students

• patterns for khachkars - some attached

• books showing khachkar designs: recommended: Vol. I, Documents of Arm. Architecture - "Khachkar"

• acrylic paint (in quantities according to group size):
  • zinc white ( large);
  • brown/burnt sienna/burnt umber;
  • black;
  • alizarin crimson
  • red yellow ochre (for variation of main colors or highighting)
  • phtalo blue (for variation of main colors or highlighting)
    

Procedure

1. If pre-prepared patterns are not available, trace or draw khachkar design from a book. Design can be embellished as desired. Then cut out to create a pattern.

2. Transfer to styrofoam block by tracing around outside edges with a pencil. Make sure to place at center of block, leaving ample space between edge of styrofoam block and arms of cross. A border design can be included.

3. Remove pattern after tracing edges. You will notice your impression made with the point of the pencil has formed the outline of your khachkar.

4. Decide which areas you want recessed and which you want raised. For example, the background would be depressed leaving the design of the cross raised.

5. Then press into styrofoam with thumb or fingertips - the blunt end of a pencil can be used gently in areas for a special effect - on all non-design areas so that design is raised while the rest is pressed in.

6. When khachkar is complete, coat generously with gesso.

7. Allow to dry for 30 minutes (painting can take place another day or after a break; the latter can provide a good opportunity for a talk on khachkars if an introduction did not precede the project).

8. Paint khachkars gray (mix white and black paint); tan (white and brown); or tufa - that distinctive Armenian pinkish-stone color (white, alizarin crimson red, and burnt umber). Paint one generous coat. Allow to dry 30 minutes.

9. Highlighting: thinly and briskly apply paint across surfaces of khachkar in lighter and darker shade of same color. For another effect: splash highlight colors heavily over surface to simulate a weathered appearance.