Amate is an ancient tradition of paper making from Mexico, made from the pulp of the fig and mulberry trees.
To make amate, the outer tree bark is peeled and the inner bark is boiled and soaked in water overnight, then beaten with a smooth flat stone until it becomes pulp. A glutinous substance, taken from orchid bulbs, is added and then this paste is formed into sheets, and dried in the sun.
The State of Puebla to the east of Mexico City is known for their amate paper production and the artisans in the small town San Pablito, who are of Otomί ancestery, produce cut-out figures called Nahuales (devils and spirits) used in ceremonies. To the southwest in the State of Guerrero, amate paper is brightly decorated with beautiful scenes depicting everyday life of the villagers, such as the harvest, fiestas, weddings, religious customs and wildlife.
You'll need
- sheet of paper
- pencil
- permanent marker (black)
- paint (tempera or acrylic) or colored pencils
- paint brush
- amate paper or grocery paper bag
- container with water
- newspaper
- paper towels
Procedures
- Use a sheet of paper and pencil to sketch your ideas depicting your favorite place, an everyday event, or special people/animals in your life.
- Then transfer your final drawing onto the amate paper or piece of paper bag. Try to leave open space for the amate paper "grain" to show through.
- Outline the forms with a permanent marker.
- Apply paint to your drawing on the amate paper, make sure you have a container with water available as you paint.
- Set your amate painting aside to dry.
- Write a story, or a poem about your amate painting. Share your amate painting, story, or poem with your family and friends.
- Usa una hoja de papel y un lápiz para dibujar tus ideas que representen tu lugar favorito, un evento cotidiano o personas/animales especiales en tu vida.
- Después, transfiere tu dibujo final al papel amate o a un pedazo de bolsa de papel. Trata de dejar espacios abiertos sin dibujo para que el "grano" del papel amate se vea.
- Traza el contorno de las formas con un marcador permanente.
- Aplica pintura a tu dibujo, asegúrate de tener un recipiente con agua disponible mientras pintas.
- Pon tu pintura a un lado para que seque.
- Escribe una historia, o un poema sobre tu pintura en amate. Comparte tu pintura, historia o poema con tu familia y amigos.
