Aug 12, 2012

50/50 Silhouettes


I've been trying a number of silhouette-based lesson ideas lately. I think they are effective in demonstrating how much can be communicated quickly with a simple blocked-in outline. Although a silhouette may be simplistic and stylised, even at a glance there is no mistaking a person, tree, car etc. These silhouettes were created by a year 5 class in about an hour. 

As with all my posts so far, I have included the art of every student, whatever the result — to give the best impression of how successful a lesson is. Every class will have at least one, if not a number of students who will create something special no matter what we say or do as teachers. So only showing the most adept students' work is probably not a true indication of how well a lesson works in a classroom setting.


To begin my first attempt at this lesson we briefly discussed and viewed some common silhouettes. Next I demonstrated the task of sketching a large silhouette and dividing it in two. One half was painted black, leaving a white background and then the other half of the silhouette is left white with a painted black background. The children planned their work on some scrap paper before penciling their outline onto the art paper and then moved to the painting table. 

I did bend my rules and allow some minor details rather than completely solid silhouettes, hence there are some facial features, windows etc. This was fine for most, but did confuse some with how to make each side opposite. I didn't insist on symmetrical silhouettes although obviously this is an option. Overall I'm really happy with the results and look forward to revisiting this idea. The students enjoyed both the process and results which for me is a pretty good indicator of a lesson's value.


8 comments:

  1. You've got me thinking now. I always display every child's art at school but am selective on my blog. You are right, a true indication of their work is only there if everyone is included. (You have a small class)

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  2. Hi Gretchen, yes only 24 in that class. It does makes posting more time consuming – one reason I only post once per week!

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  3. What an awesome project in teaching how to create silhouettes.

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  4. Hi Joe (from one ausie to another - I'm from the sunshine coast in Queensland)... i agree with you totally about posting everyone's work. I run after-school art classes, up to 24 per class, years prep to year 7, 5 classes (different school each afternoon) That's way too many to post each week (I'd spend half of my precious one and a half hours of teaching time taking photos!) so I get around it with a random selection (one from the top, middle and bottom of the roll each lesson) with the promise that every student will have a piece published at least once per term. This way I get a selection from all year levels and levels of talent/ability each week. One of the first questions they ask is "Who's on the internet this week?" We pick the names BEFORE they do the activity so they know that it's random, and not pieces I 'like'. (I do let kids skip the random rule if they are so pleased with that week's effort that they MUST have it published, but still only once per term, so they know to only use that card if they are seriously proud!)I do hope you visit my site at Dream Painters :)

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  5. Hi Elizabeth, great to hear from you. There doesn't seem to be too many of us Aussies here in the art teaching blogosphere... I've just visited your blog and it's really great. I read your 'about' tab - wow that must keep you busy! I'll be sure to stop by your site some more, lots of inspiration there : )

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  6. Interested to hear from you aussie teachers.....have you had any permission/privacy issues with being able to post pics of student's artwork? I would love to put some up, but have been told it's not possible without every parents permission :0(
    (This is my blog: www.onceuponanartroom.com )

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  7. Hi Chani, I read as much as I could find of our department's social media policies etc, as far as I could tell this is okay... I don't identify any students, classes or even schools. My primary purpose is to illustrate and share lesson ideas. It would obviously be different if I was setting out to make an income generating blog. I hope I'm not being naive, I might check with some senior teachers around here!

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