Art in FocusChapter 18:
Art of Sixteenth-Century EuropeAdditional Studio ProjectsHUMOROUS FACE FROM EXPANDED SHAPESUsing a variety of large and small shapes cut from a single, free-form shape, create a face that is humorous in both appearance and expression.
INSPIRATIONExamine Bruegel's painting The Parable of the Blind (Figure 18.13). Observe the different expressions on the faces of the blind men. Do the faces suggest that these men are clever or foolish? How is this indicated? Do you find yourself feeling sorry for these characters, or are you more inclined to smile at their predicament? Do you think humor is acceptable in art?
WHAT YOU WILL NEED- Sheet of white construction paper, 6 × 9 inches
- Sheet of colored construction paper, 12 × 18 inches
- Scissors and white glue
- Scrap pieces of colored construction paper
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Cut a simple, free-form, solid shape from the white sheet of construction paper. Then cut this into three shapes of approximately the same size. Cut each of the three into five shapes, producing a total of 15.
- Arrange all 15 shapes on the sheet of colored construction paper. Let each shape touch--in just one place--the shape that had been next to it before you cut them apart. Spread the shapes slightly, leaving gaps between the pieces.
- Glue all the shapes in place, and study your design carefully. Use your imagination to “see” the beginnings of a humorous face. When you have discovered such a face, add hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and other details cut from scraps of colored paper. Try to make your face as humorous as possible.
EVALUATING YOUR WORKDescribe Can viewers easily identify the subject of your picture as a face? Are the eyes, nose, mouth, and other features clearly indicated?
Analyze Is your picture composed of a variety of large and small shapes? Were all these cut from a single, free-form shape?
Interpret Is the face you have created humorous? What makes it so? Do you think others will find it humorous?
Judge Do you think your picture is successful? Did you find that making a humorous work of art is just as challenging as making one that is more “serious”?
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