Sep 23, 2012

Zebrafied


We have a cluster of small artworks featuring Zebras on our sunroom wall. I had been thinking about fresh art ideas when I re-noticed them. I have been trying a number of ideas based on silhouettes lately and suddenly I saw yet another possibility – I decided to ask my students to “zebrafy” a chosen silhouette.

To “zebrafy”, I explained to the mildly bemused students, is to give any silhouette you choose the characteristic black and white stripes of a Zebra, and to make the white stripes disappear into the background or surrounding negative space. These are the impressive results of the first lesson with a year 6 class. I was excited by their responses and am confident I can better deliver the lesson next time, having ironed out a few kinks with this inaugural zebrafying. 


Once the students had a silhouette in mind they did some practice sketching before repeating their favourite outline in a light lead pencil on their art paper. It was to be large on the page and not overly intricate. Next they added their planned zebra stripes, still in lead pencil. To finish they painted in every second stripe black, and once dry erased any visible pencil lines (ie at the top and bottom of all white stripes). Hence the "white" stripes are just paper white rather than painted white.

Obviously it depends on the shape of the individual silhouette, but following are a few things I'll remember to make clear in future. Both the outside edge stripes need to be black and if there are any sharp corners or curves they will need to "happen" in a black stripe to prevent them disappearing from view. And to make sure an object doesn't get lost in the negative space behind I think it would be helpful to make the black stripes a little thicker than the white ones.


An eclectic collection of zebrafied silhouettes from radioactive warning signs to peace signs, animals to automobiles, hands, robots, guitars, skulls and freshly bitten ice-creams.


18 comments:

  1. These are so cool. I love the first hand and the rabbit that has ears with stripes going in different directions. Until I read your directions I first thought that the kids had cut out a shape on black paper, then cut lines and "expanded" the shape leaving white spaces in between. Painting would make it much harder. Your students did a great job with a super idea!!

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  2. An excellent lesson, I love the guitar :) Is it ok with you if I pin it? I think I'll have to go with the expanded black paper though, as I think my littlies will have trouble with the neat painting!

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  3. No worries, thanks Elizabeth : )

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  4. Very interesting the proposal to define a shape using textures. Congratulate your students, very original results.

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  5. The black/white contrast has always been a favotite of mine. Your kiddos did a wonderful job of choosing their subject matter and painting. I hope you were able to display these in a high traffic area so everyone could see them! Nice work, Mr.Hall!

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  6. Thanks Pat : ) I don't think their teacher has put them on display... I might have to make the suggestion - or just tell them you said they have to put them up front and centre!

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  7. Gosh, all your artworks always looks so great!

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    1. It's all the good students around these parts! Thanks Jen :)

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  8. It's sometimes disappointing when teachers don't see the value in the artwork their children make. We raised money to have big red pin boards erected at the end of the assembly hall for artwork to be displayed. "High traffic area" and I don't have to wait for teachers to 'get around' to hanging the work.
    Just to keep the rave going...for Elizabeth to zebrafy with her younger kids, they could be cut out at the end to keep the edges crisp. Then stuck back onto white paper.
    Nice idea Joe.

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    1. Yeah I really like the idea of art being in places where it can be appreciated within the school but beyond the classroom. And it's great seeing ideas shared here, thanks Gretchen!

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  9. I love this black and white project.
    Your students did a fantastic job.

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  10. I’m very happy to join your blog! There are so many interesting works! thanks for sharing!!!
    Miriam from http://arteascuola-miriampaternoster.blogspot.it/

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  11. Thanks Miriam, I've been following your blog - love it!

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  12. Great Work M Hall. Love the Website. Archie - my-popular-site.weebly.com

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