For this task, pupils could look at how artists have interpreted portraiture through silhouettes. The Victorians created portraits through backlighting and tracing - see below: This technique can be tried out easily with a large sheet and overhead projector whilst the pupils outline the shape of the head and then paint with a fabric paint. Alternatively, it could be produced photographically. Photogram Silhouettes
Using cut out shapes of photocopies or photos of portraits (preferably from profile views), pupils create a photogram but half way through the exposure time they mask the paper with their cut out silhouette. The following examples were made like this and then toned. It is also possible to do such portraits as digital files using a scanner and photoshop, altering opacities on layers.
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An interesting way to get pupils to understand key points or story lines of a book or play is to get them to create dramatic interpretations from the original text. By limiting them to creating scenes through silhouette photographs. The use of silhouettes was a common Victorian artistic method and the following photographs from the US from the early 1900s show how amateur photographers used them to create stories. Preparation Teachers could prepare a number of key extracts from the book/play that have strong descriptive vocabulary and a sense of action. Tasks A quick research tasks for pupils could be to find as many images and illustrative examples of the play from the Internet to build up a visual picture that can be used as reference and displayed in the classroom. Pupils should also be able to identify key characters, scenary and the context within the story I.e mise en scene. This should assist them in staging and photographing their dramatic moments as silhouettes. They should plan for: - poses and still action shots of scene(over dramatic as opposed to subtle) - costumes or props - background scenery if applicable Set Up A simple white backdrop and with diffused lights shone onto it should provide a good backlit scene to photograph. Pupils can then pose in front of it and will appear as silhouettes provided they are not in front of the lights. Artist Reference Lotte Reiniger is an animator from the early 1900s and worth looking at. Kara Walker makes silhouette and collages about slavery and racism. You can reference early Victorian silhouette portraits to give a context. Extension
This project could involve pupils creating collages that could be placed on acetate and projected onto a larger surface and traced for a permanent display. Or, like Kara Walker, a temporary installation could be created using an OHP. If facilities allow, the silhouettes couldl be animated using iStop Motion and made into short clips. Otherwise, simple gif animations might be an option. In this painting task, you will be referring to great art masterpieces from the past and reinterpreting them using your own contemporary imagery to reflect current culture. 1. Start by researching a famous portrait painting that appeals to you. Try looking through the Google Art Project set up by Google, which has examples of work stored by many of the world's most famous public galleries. Collect a number of examples and stick in your sketchbook with the name of the artist, title and date it was made. 2. Imagine how you could add a contemporary/modern twist to the painting. Think about props, hairstyles, facial make-up or jewellery and accessories that are relevant to today. Note down and sketch a few ideas in your sketchbook to refer to. 3. Take some photographs of yourself or a friend in the same pose and lighting set up, which can then be used as a replacement for the original model. You could use Adobe Photoshop to superimpose your new model into place. Alternatively, print out your photos and create some collages where you try different juxtapositions. Remember that your remastered studies need to contain enough information to make the original painting recognisable. 4. Enlarge your most interesting composition study onto a large canvas. You could use an Overhead Projector (OHP) to enlarge it or a grid depending on how much assistance you require. 5. Start painting and use the same colour palette as the original painting. Extension
This project would work equally well as a photography brief, where closer attention could be paid to composition, lighting, poses, costume and props. The Festival of Photography 2012 has just been launched and you will find many photographic exhibitions and events taking place in venues across London until the end of July. |
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