Art in FocusChapter 7:
The art of Ancient EgyptAdditional Studio ProjectsDESIGNING AND PAINTING A SARCOPHAGUS COVERComplete a pencil drawing of a fictional deceased ruler designed to fit within a shape representing the lid of a sarcophagus. Use only the element of line in your drawing and include:
the head, arms, legs, and feet of the ruler in profile and the eyes and shoulders as seen from the front. Also, add clues about the ruler's appearance, personality, and major accomplishments.
INSPIRATIONWhy were the Egyptians so concerned with preserving and protecting the bodies of the deceased? Study the relief sculpture of Methethy (Figure 7.12) and the wall painting from the tomb of Nakht (Figure 7.13). How did Egyptian rules for painting and sculpture contribute to the way the figures were painted and carved? Identify the intense hues and values employed. What did the Egyptian artists do to emphasize the most important parts of their paintings? Do their shapes look flat or three-dimensional?
WHAT YOU WILL NEED- Pencil
- White drawing paper, 9 × 24 inches
- Ruler
- Mat board, 9 × 24 inches
- Tempera or acrylic paint
- Brushes, mixing tray, and paint cloth
- Water container
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Working with several other students, identify a fictional ruler as a scholar, a spiritual leader, a military hero, or a vicious tyrant. Discuss the ruler's appearance, personality, and accomplishments. Make a list of the visual clues that help illustrate these features.
- On the drawing paper, complete an outline for a sarcophagus lid conforming to the measurements shown below.
(A) 4 inches
(B) 5 inches
(C) 8 inches
(D) 14 inches
(E) 4 inches
- In pencil, draw your version of the ruler to fit in this space. Follow the same rules that were imposed on ancient Egyptian artists. Your sketch should tell others how the ruler looked and provide clues to the ruler's personality and accomplishments.
- Transfer your drawing to the mat board. Paint your design with tempera or acrylic. Use intense and light values for the figure that will contrast with the dull background hues to achieve emphasis. Paint shapes without gradation to reproduce the flat quality in Egyptian painting. Place your finished painting on display with those of other students.
EVALUATING YOUR WORKDescribe Does your painting follow the Egyptian rules of art? Are the head, arms, legs, and feet shown in profile? Are the eyes and shoulders presented as seen from the front? Is it possible to determine whether the ruler was a scholar, a spiritual leader, a military hero, or a tyrant?
Analyze Point out areas in your painting where intense colors are used. Where are dull hues employed? Where are light values used? How does the contrast of these hues and values help emphasize portions of the painting? Do the shapes appear flat and two-dimensional?
Interpret Can your classmates read the visual clues in your painting and correctly identify the personality of your ruler? What clues helped them recognize the ruler's accomplishments?
Judge Do you think this is a successful painting? What aesthetic qualities did you use to determine whether or not it was successful? |  |
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