Expressive Colored AnimalsGrades 8-12

You will create an animal portrait using an animal from the amazon.

Using any of the following media:Chalk and Oil Pastel

Assignment:

Analyze shading, texture, and proportion

to create a 3-dimensional animal

Use expressionistic color to create mood

Analyze the visual effect of

one color against another

Big Ideas

Choose referenceIt should be a black and white

photo of your subject.As we are paying attention to shades and tones and not to

realistic color choices.

Student Process

Find close-up reference of animal and print out 2 grayscale copies.

Use one copy to create a grid. We did 1” grid on the reference and 2” on canvas.

Choose at least 2 colors and then find 6 values light

to dark. Match colors

to values.

Create a color scheme

Use the other copy of your animal to practice your color scheme.

Change it if it doesn’t

work!This is your

chance.

Choose a piece of your animal and create a small scale study

Final Image

Another studentexample of process

Find close-up reference of animal and print out 2 grayscale copies.

Find 6 valueslight to dark

match colors to values!

Create a color scheme

Use one grayscale print of animal to practice your color scheme.

Change it if it doesn’t

work!This is your

chance.

Choose a piece of your animal and create a small scale study

Final Image

If you follow the process and have a positive attitude it will work out as you can

see from these student examples.

Every student was able to be successful!

More student final artwork

You must use a photo reference – this is so you can carefully analyze the subtle changes in value, the animal’s or person’s natural qualities etc.

The only changes you should make from the photo reference are related to COLOR, and you may also simplify the background

All shading & values, textures, proportions and details remain the same as in the original photo

Realism matters!

Your use of color should be expressive, not cliché.

NO -------------------

No rainbow zebras, nor rainbow anything for that matter. No leopards with each spot a different color. Don’t even think about it. I will cry.

Requirements:

Use photo reference.

You must start with a background color

Grid your photo and final paper/canvas

Create a color scheme

Small test painting to figure out your OWN process

The subject must be painted with expressive color.

The subject must be large enough to fill the space

There must be realistic shading, texture, proportion, etc.

Suggestions (not requirements)

Simplify the background – this is a portrait after all, and the focus should be mainly on the subject

Complementary colors are good for high contrast and drama