CARTOON SKELETONS

Cartoon Skeletons

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Cartoon Skeleton using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use neutral colors (black white grey brown), value (lightness darkness highlights shadows) and space (positive negative) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1995-Present) Michael Paulus
• Use drawing techniques (proportional rules basic forms shading methods) and design principles (composition repetition proportion) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Cartoon (a motion picture using animation techniques to photograph a sequence of drawings rather than real people or objects)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Salve Cattus Sine Oris (Hello Kitty) (2025) Michael Paulus

2. Read Bonaparte Falls Apart: A Funny Skeleton Book For Kids and Toddlers by Margery Cuyler 

3. Discussion Questions "Have you ever thought of what kind of skeletons might be holding up that weird character? What is the difference between a real skeleton and the cartoon version? Why do artists alter anatomy for an artistic effect? What are the basic shapes and how do they connect to form a skeleton? How can we use measurement and proportion to make our skeleton look realistic? What kind of story can we tell through a skeleton's pose? What do we notice about the skull? Where are the eyes, nose, and mouth located? How do the ribs connect to the spine? What are the key bone landmarks to look for drawing this figure? What are some examples of artists who have explored the skeleton in their work? What did they express through this subject matter? What happens when we combine different drawing or painting media to create our skeletons? What affect can we achieve by contrasting different textures in our artwork? How does understanding the bone structures (skull, spine, rib cage) help us draw people and animals?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper 

2. Use pencil to add line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) of subject matter (skull, bones, outline) of the Cartoon Skeletons

3.Use line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) to add details (roses feathers fabric) to the negative space (background) of the Cartoon Skeletons 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cartoon Skeleton for Assigned Tables 

2. Callidus Canem (Snoopy) (2016) Michael Paulus

3. Discussion Questions "How is photography from inside your body different from a regular photograph? What colors do you see? What kinds of lines can you find? What kind of shapes can you find? What new title would you give this artwork? Why do you think the artist made the artist this way? How would you tell someone about this artwork? What are some photograph techniques you could incorporate into your own artwork? How was Michael Paulus inspired by other artists? Does an artist need firsthand experience to represent it successfully? How might an artwork be interpreted differently at different moments in history? Do you think artists see the world differently than nonwartists? Is being an artist a stewardship? Do artists have a responsibility to share their artwork with the world? Can artists interact with cartoons as subject matter in different ways?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing, shading) to add value (highlights shadows contrast) to the Cartoon Skeletons 

2. Look at images of photographs of different human bones (skull, teeth, femur, rubs) when adding details (highlights, shadows, contrast) to the Cartoon Skeletons 

3. Use permanent markers to add contrast to the positive space (bones, foreground, middle ground) and negative space (background, shadow) of the Cartoon Skeletons 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cartoon Skeletons for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (erasers, permanent markers, washable markers, felt tip pens)

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing, shading) to add value (highlights, shadows, contrast) to the Cartoon Skeletons

2. Use drawing materials (kneaded erasers, conte crayons, pencil sharpeners) to blend in the negative space (background) of the Cartoon Skeletons

3. Use drawing materials (kneaded erasers conte crayons pencil sharpeners) to add finishing details (bones, foreground, middle ground) to the Cartoon Skeletons 

Artist Examples

Student Examples