measure and mark out materials;
communicate design ideas in different ways, bearing in mind aesthetic qualities, and the use and purpose for which the product is intended;
explore the sensory qualities of materials and how to use materials and processes;
combine components and materials accurately;
design and make assignments using a range of materials, including food;
use ICT to research aspects of design;
follow safe procedures for food safety and hygiene.

Valencia and Sanele decide to paint traditional mehendi patterns on the palms of their hands. In a small bowl, they mix a few spoonfuls of powdered henna with a little water to make a thick paste. They spoon the paste into a plastic bag, squeeze out the air and tie the bag tightly. Next, they wrap the bag in newspaper and twist the paper into a cone. They wind sticky tape tightly around the cone.

The girls snip off the very tip of the cone. When they squeeze the cone gently, a thin line of paste comes out. Sanele rubs a little oil over Valencia's palm. Then she squeezes thin lines of paste onto Valencia's palm, building up a delicate pattern of flowers and leaves. When the paste is dry, Valencia washes it off. The henna has left an orange/brown outline of the pattern on her palm. The pattern will last for about three weeks.

Curriculum Relevance

Art: investigating and making art, craft and design.
Science: materials and their properties (dissolving).
ICT – gathering information from a variety of sources.
Personal, Social and Health Education – cultural diversity.

Background

Henna patterns (sometimes called 'mehendi patterns') are a traditional form of body painting in many Hindu and Muslim homes. Some people say the first mehendi patterns were drawn thousands of years ago in India, others that the tradition dates back to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The patterns usually involve flowers and leaves and will last on the palm of your hand for about three weeks. Designs are carefully drawn onto the palm, or sometimes a stencil is laid over the hand and the henna paste is brushed over it.

Henna is a powder made from the dried leaves and shoots of a tropical plant. It produces a red/brown dye that is often used as a hair colouring.

While true henna is very safe, some other powders that are sold as 'henna' contain chemicals that can cause your skin to become sore or blistered. Some people who have used so-called 'black henna' have even ended up with scars on their skin that cannot be removed. Neither of the activities given here uses any form of henna, just in case.

Activities

Make a Handprint Stencil

You will need: thin card; pencil; scissors; needle; newspaper; art paper; dish of dry powder paint; cup of water; paper clips; paintbrush.

Spread your hand out on the card and draw around it.
Cut out the hand shape from card. This shape is called a 'stencil'.
Draw a flower and leaf design on the stencil. Look again at the video or follow the links from this site to get some ideas. Try to keep your pattern symmetrical and make sure it covers the whole of the stencil.
When you are happy with your pattern, place the stencil on a folded newspaper.
Carefully push the needle through the card, making rows of tiny holes that trace the lines of your pattern.
Make a row of holes close to the edge of the stencil, outlining its shape.
Put your stencil on a sheet of art paper. Use paperclips to keep it in place.
Dip your paintbrush into water, then use the wet brush to pick up a little powder paint.
Dab the paint over the stencil. Where there are holes, the paint will mark the paper underneath. Elsewhere, the stencil will mask the paper and prevent the paint from getting through.
Remove the stencil to see the finished print. You could use your stencil to make a pattern of repeated prints. If you have some water-based face paints, you could use your stencil on the palm of your hand. Put the stencil over your palm, dab a damp sponge into the face paint and then sponge it over the stencil.

Make Patterned Biscuits

You will need: packet of plain biscuits; icing sugar; bottle of food colouring; plastic food bag; sheets of greaseproof kitchen paper; sticky tape; bowl; tablespoon; jug of water; scissors.

Before you start: make sure your hands and the food preparation area are washed and clean. Make sure the people who eat your biscuits are allowed sugary foods and do not have allergies to food colourings.

Lay the biscuits out on a sheet of kitchen paper.
Put 5 or 6 tablespoons of icing sugar in a bowl.
Add 2 or 3 drops of food colouring. You don't need very much. Be careful not to get food colouring on your skin or clothes, as it will make stains that take a lot of washing to get rid of.
Add a little water to the sugar and mix it in with the spoon. Be careful not to add too much water – your mixture must not be runny. Aim to make something about as thick and sticky as toothpaste.
Spoon the coloured paste into the plastic food bag.
Squeeze out the air and tie the bag tightly. Wrap the bag in a sheet of kitchen paper. Twist and tape the paper to make a long pointed cone.
Cut the very tip off the cone. When you squeeze the cone, a thin line of coloured icing should come out.
Draw a design onto the biscuits with the icing sugar bag. Make leaf and flower patterns that are symmetrical and cover the whole of each biscuit.
Leave the icing sugar to dry. It will set hard after about an hour.
Serve and enjoy your biscuits!

Links

The Henna page.
History, galleries and information about henna patterns. If you've got a strong stomach, check out the pictures of the scars that have been left by 'black henna':
www.hennapage.com/henna/index.html

Gallery of mehendi patterns from India:
www.welcometoindia.com/bodyart/indexfrm.asp?mehendi.asp?mehabout

Making It: Programmes 27–39 Programme 28: Valencia and Sanele Paint with Henna

Aims