Exploring copyright free embellishments in art class
Perspective is an important concept and skill to include in art curriculum, but it can sometimes be tedious if not boring. I have found that incorporating surrealism into the lesson keeps students interested and having fun. You can see my first iteration here.
From time to time I have had students want to trace an element or two into their work, and I have obliged as they are significantly modifying the work and not breaking copyright guidelines. I have given them a light table or window to use, and I was happy for their enthusiasm.
With the advent of Ai, initially I have had difficulty in finding authentic ways to incorporate it into my lessons without it becoming a crutch for creativity. My first class exploration to include it was our need for a mural in our school’s media studio where students can use a greenscreen, make videos, audio recordings, or even work on robots. We used Ai to generate ideas, projecting the “winner” to be painted by students.
From time to time I have had students want to trace an element or two into their work, and I have obliged as they are significantly modifying the work and not breaking copyright guidelines. I have given them a light table or window to use, and I was happy for their enthusiasm.
With the advent of Ai, initially I have had difficulty in finding authentic ways to incorporate it into my lessons without it becoming a crutch for creativity. My first class exploration to include it was our need for a mural in our school’s media studio where students can use a greenscreen, make videos, audio recordings, or even work on robots. We used Ai to generate ideas, projecting the “winner” to be painted by students.
After dipping my toe into Ai I saw the potential for generating ideas but also creating original images that would not break copyright laws.
Every year I have my introductory students do a hallway drawing in one-point perspective. I require them to include doors, lockers, and ceiling/floor tiles using traditional techniques with rulers and T-squares. We then explore Surrealism, Dali’, Magritte, Kahlo, and others. I have students brainstorm ideas of what they could add to their hallways to turn them into surreal environments, sharing with them what students have done in the past.
Then I share with them the option of using copyright free images which include images that are over 100 years old or using Ai prompts to generate images. I walk them through how I created kittens with the proportions of a tyrannosaurus-rex. I show them how detailed prompts produce better images than vague ones. I created a Google Doc to share with them to enter images so that I could print them in black and white.
They had the option of using a light table to trace the images or they could use nail polish remover (containing acetone) or CitraSolv to transfer images. I created this video to show them how to do that.
Every year I have my introductory students do a hallway drawing in one-point perspective. I require them to include doors, lockers, and ceiling/floor tiles using traditional techniques with rulers and T-squares. We then explore Surrealism, Dali’, Magritte, Kahlo, and others. I have students brainstorm ideas of what they could add to their hallways to turn them into surreal environments, sharing with them what students have done in the past.
Then I share with them the option of using copyright free images which include images that are over 100 years old or using Ai prompts to generate images. I walk them through how I created kittens with the proportions of a tyrannosaurus-rex. I show them how detailed prompts produce better images than vague ones. I created a Google Doc to share with them to enter images so that I could print them in black and white.
They had the option of using a light table to trace the images or they could use nail polish remover (containing acetone) or CitraSolv to transfer images. I created this video to show them how to do that.
The nice thing about these prints is that you are still able to erase perspective pencil lines through the print, and it can be colored with watercolors or colored pencils over the image. It’s very versatile and fun. Here are some tips I would share:
Though many students still opted to draw as we have in the past, these are the examples students made with this new technique.
- Have good ventilation for all solvents
- Use wooden burnishing tools (Like for clay projects)
- Use painters’ tape to secure images while working
- Cotton pads work better than paper towels for acetone
- Practice on scrap paper before working on final paper
- Mask images with tape for areas you do not want to transfer
Though many students still opted to draw as we have in the past, these are the examples students made with this new technique.
If you are seeking more choice-based lessons for your students, I wrote THIS book and others you can find at www.firehousepublications.com
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