Basquiat Portraits

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Basquiat Portrait using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use primary/secondary colors (red blue yellow; green purple orange), line types (contour, continuous, outline), and shape variation (geometric, organic) inspired by American Artist (1960-1988) Jean Michel Basquiat
• Use collage techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (composition, variation, repetition) based on Neo-Expressionism Movement
• Define Mixed Media (using more than one medium or material to create a work)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. In This Case (1983) Jean Michel Basquiat

2. Read Life Doesn't Frighten Me: Paintings by Jean Michel Basquiat by Patty Rodriguez

3. Discussion Questions "Who is Basquiat? Which art movement did his work belong to? What was his first exhibition? Did he succeed in life or was his art recognized only after his death? where are his artworks displayed today? Who were his friends? Which places did he attend? What was one of Basquiat's biggest accomplishments? What was Jean Michel Basquiat's symbol? How many siblings did Jean Michel Basquiat have? What is the name of the piece by Jean Michel Basquiat?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use pencil to draw shape variation (geometric, organic) of face parts (head, hair, shoulder, ears) of Basquiat Portraits

2. Use line types (wavy, straight, narrow) to add facial features (eyes, eyelashes, eyebrows) of the Basquiat Portraits

3. Use line types (wavy, straight, narrow) to add details (buttons, ribbons, stripes) to the clothing of the Basquiat Portraits

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Basquiat Portraits for Assigned Tables

2. Self Portrait (1984) Jean Michel Basquiat

3. Discussion Questions "Does your work reflect Jean Michel Basquiat's style? Have you simplified the eyes to dots? What types of colors were used? How was this artwork made? What types of style is this artwork? What can you see in this work? Why do you think the artist made it? What has the artist made of the image out of? What can you see in the picture? What is in the foreground? What is in the background? what shapes and lines are used? Why does the artist use simple shapes and lines? Where in the portraits is the most mark making lines and tones used? How does this help show the identify of the person?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use primary colors (red yellow blue) to fill in the positive space (portrait) of the portrait compositions

2. Use secondary colors (green orange purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the portrait compositions 

3. Use line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) to fill in the positive space (portrait) of the Basquiat Portraits

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Basquiat Portraits for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, oil pastels)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to positive space (portrait) of portrait compositions

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of portrait compositions

3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to the Basquiat Portraits

Artist Examples

Student Examples