Early Childhood

How can we use a traditional, simple art technique (silhouettes) to represent the sitter and provide information about the character of the subject?

Students will learn about the traditional tools and methods used to produce silhouette portraits. They will explore the negative and positive spaces in these works and consider how they can add an extra layer of information.

Examples of historic and contemporary artworks that feature silhouettes (Moses Williams, Kara Walker), overhead projector or other light source, pencils for tracing, black ink and brushes

1. Show students examples of historic and contemporary artworks featuring silhouettes. Ask them to identify how the intricate details are integral to these seemingly simple artworks.
2. Students will create large-scale images of each other, tracing shadows created by the overhead projector or other light source.
3. Working on their own portrait, students will add an extra level of detail—something imaginary or real—that gives the viewer a clue to how they perceive themselves. This could be an animal trait, magical skill, or other feature conveyed through a simple addition to their shadow.
4. Students use ink to paint in their outlined shape.

Were students able to utilize positive and negative space to create a balanced artwork? Were they able to use symbols or simple drawings to add an additional layer of meaning?

Sue Liedke is an art teacher at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.