Surreal Skylines

I've been doing these unusual city scenes lately.


Inspired by a little Sci Fi and surrealism.

I start by drawing a curved horizon line, like the top of a planet or ball, and begin adding buildings.



They become wavy, leaning this way and that.

Then I add bright colours.

A good project to try with the kids at school next term.




















MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- background paper, I used heavy wc paper
- piece of good drawing paper
- a recycled cereal or cracker box
- paint, I used gouache, watercolour, and a bit of acrylic
- tacky glue
- fine sharpie

PROCEDURE:

I'm making this skyline in layers.  Why layers? It's more interesting (little 3D) and you can get a cleaner look.


I cut 2 wavy buildings out of the cereal box.

I placed them on my drawing paper and began sketching out a skyline.

Instead of using a curved horizon line I'm just having the skyline come out of the corner.

Add a few details.  I traced out where the cardboard is going to go.

Add colour.  I used paint to get nice bright colours.


At school we will probably paint the buildings but add the details with coloured pencil and crayon.

Paint the cardboard buildings.

Cut the skyline out of the drawing paper.

Add details to the buildings.

For the background I wanted a deep blue.

The city is a light source so as I work to the corner where the city will be I lighten the blue with some white.

I wanted some stars so I splatter some white paint on the dark blue.

Apply glue to the back of the paper skyline.

By using the corner it's easy to line it up and secure into place.

Glue cardboard buildings into place.

I decided it needed a little something so using the leftover drawing paper I made a lamp post.

Cut out and glue into place.

That's it.  With really young kids we can make some of the buildings out of coloured paper. Should make for an interesting lesson!  I hope I inspired you to give these a try.

In the Style of Rene Magritte #2

So we are still looking at Surrealism in Grade 6.  The students did my usual lesson on Magritte last year in Grade 5 but I thought we would try another.




Here is our version of  "The Large Family" 1963

and this is the original.


This is my favorite painting of Magritte and always leads to wonderful conversation regarding the symbolism.

















MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- 2 sheets wc paper
- green painter's tape
- disk tempera in blue, yellow,orange,white and black
- paintbrushes
- kleenex
- scissors
- white pastel or pencil crayon
- Dove Template 1, Dove Template 2 or create your own
- tacky glue

PROCEDURE:

Take your wc papers and tape down to your art boards with the green painter's tape.

While the paint is still wet use a kleenex to lift off clouds.

Let dry.

On the second board begin painting your background.

Add some blue, orange and yellow.  Leave the top white as well as the bottom.

Add some black now.  At the bottom you want to fill in with black for the water but leave that white horizon line.



Go over your sky colors with a black wash including the white at the top.

At the bottom add a few waves in the water with white tempera or gauche.





Let background dry.

Turn your cloud paper over and sketch out the flying dove.  Now with Grade 6 I will be asking them to create their own Dove.  I have included a template (see materials list)  for those of you who want it.




Cut out your sketch.

Now to make the head look separate from the back wing you may want to use some white pencil crayon or pastel and strategically place a cloudy mist.

Glue into place and let dry with a piece of wax paper put on top of the surface and then a large heavy book placed on top of that.

That's it.  Magritte used his cloud landscape in several other paintings that your students may enjoy recreating or coming up with their own compositions that draw upon his work.








See you soon.