As the year moves into it's end, I am able to challenge my high school students a bit more. (I have done this will middle school as well) This exploration can be a bit of a mess for the unorganized, but the visual rewards are great. It's not often we get to "mash-up" styles of art in history, but collage, in this mode, hits 3: Cubism, Pop Art, and Op Art.
All three images by Picasso, Vasarely, and Britto respectively, have a common element of a shattered image. It is through the contours that the subject is revealed. In some cases, less obviously than others. This play of shape, pattern, and line can make for some visually exciting work. For me, as a teacher, I like that the subject need not be the same thing. Each participant can choose their subject to express their own artistic desire. For my class, I made some suggestions: portraits, spirit animals, a theme they feel would appeal as a gift, or an image that showed of their own personality or desires.
Getting Started:
I have found that working 11 x 17 inches or larger is far easier than working small. Most of these images are that size or 18 x 24 inches. To be fairly successful, you'll need to prepare 5 layers or more to be cut up. Each layer is different. I have a few suggestions we used but I can imagine hundreds of different possibilities. Whatever you create will need to be cut up, so more than 8 layers may be too much. We did 5 or 6. Thinner textures were glued to drawing paper to make them more rigid. Spray glue works wonders for this.
Each day we created 2 or three papers, saving techniques we needed to dry out as the last of that day. So we might do foil, and wrapping paper, then finish with a hand painted paper that was allowed to dry overnight.
When you have your set of papers, add one more blank drawing paper to the top of your pile. Line them all together in a stack and staple through all of them, about 3 to 4 times on each side. If you have access to a long arm stapler, add 4 to 6 more staples inside the page. These staples will prevent the papers from fanning out as they are being cut. If you've ever cut 10 sheets of paper in a pile, you know the papers "creep" and fan out. This alleviates much of the problem.
I have found that working 11 x 17 inches or larger is far easier than working small. Most of these images are that size or 18 x 24 inches. To be fairly successful, you'll need to prepare 5 layers or more to be cut up. Each layer is different. I have a few suggestions we used but I can imagine hundreds of different possibilities. Whatever you create will need to be cut up, so more than 8 layers may be too much. We did 5 or 6. Thinner textures were glued to drawing paper to make them more rigid. Spray glue works wonders for this.
- Newspaper/old book pages
- Aluminum Foil-wringed or fairly smooth
- Wrapping paper
- Hand painted papers with large brushed textures
- Faux Aged parchment, soaked in coffee or brown paint
- Fabric glued to a paper substrate
- Paper full of scribbles
- Bubble Printed Pages
- Black Paper
Each day we created 2 or three papers, saving techniques we needed to dry out as the last of that day. So we might do foil, and wrapping paper, then finish with a hand painted paper that was allowed to dry overnight.
When you have your set of papers, add one more blank drawing paper to the top of your pile. Line them all together in a stack and staple through all of them, about 3 to 4 times on each side. If you have access to a long arm stapler, add 4 to 6 more staples inside the page. These staples will prevent the papers from fanning out as they are being cut. If you've ever cut 10 sheets of paper in a pile, you know the papers "creep" and fan out. This alleviates much of the problem.
Once the papers are stapled, the top page is the drawing page, and students create a large, fairly simple image. They should know that whatever they draw, they will need to cut out. So tiny details might need to be avoided for more simple ones. Some students chose to draw free-hand, other were allowed to find an image and trace it with my projector.
The smaller pieces are, the longer this project will take, and the more likely it is you will need to use Exacto blades to cut. I use "heavy duty snips" from Nasco, they will even cut through staples.
When you have an image, you'll need to decide how to divide up the larger portions of the image, particularly the background. I have a VIDEO that explains part of the process.
When you have an image, you'll need to decide how to divide up the larger portions of the image, particularly the background. I have a VIDEO that explains part of the process.
Essentially, you start from one corner, and cut one piece of the drawing. Choose the layer you like for that corner, and cut the next shape out of the drawing and continue to assemble the image like a puzzle. It is important to not jump around or the whole process will become impossible. Start at one corner, making your way slowly, piece by piece through the image. Sometimes additional staples may be needed to keep papers from fanning as you cut. I encourage student to make sure no two colors touch, but sometimes it's unavoidable. At the end, pastels, chalks, charcoals, markers, and paint can be used to alter the image and make separations and enhance lines that may be lost in the process.
Because you have 5 or 6 layers, you can make 5 or 6 different final images! I suggest my students do 2 if their image is fairly simple, but advanced students can do more. If the image is very complex, one may just be enough to keep them busy the whole time.
The results, as you can see below, are strong. We found that Elmer's Glue, and 3M Permanent Glue Stick seemed to work best to assemble work. Rubber cement too is great if you have a well ventilated room.
The results, as you can see below, are strong. We found that Elmer's Glue, and 3M Permanent Glue Stick seemed to work best to assemble work. Rubber cement too is great if you have a well ventilated room.
RSS Feed