Ashley Bryan Collages

Learning Targets 

I can...

• Create an original Ashley Bryan Collage using drawing techniques learned in class
•  Use shape variation (circle triangle oval), line types (contour continuous outline) and space (positive negative) inspired by American Illustrator (1923-Present) Ashley Bryan 
• Use collage techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (contrast, movement, gradation) based on African American Art
• Define Collage (sticking various materials (paper photos fabric) together)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Beautiful Blackbird 2-3 (2002) Ashley Bryan

2. Read "Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals" by Ashley Bryan

3. Discussion Questions "How do people find purpose? What makes life worth living? Does this change as we get older? If so, how does life change? What inspires artists to create? Can art be used to help people? Do you know anyone older than ninety years old? What d you know about their life story? What questions would you like to ask a person who was born nearly one hundred years ago? What comes to mind when students hear the word "artist"? Can you think of any artists who make more than one form of art? How many mediums were mentioned in total? Did you name them all? What medium was your favorite?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Use ordinary objects (buttons, shells, scrap paper) to fill in the negative space (background) of the paper collages

3. Use ordinary objects (buttons, shells, birds) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ashley Bryan Collages for Assigned Table

2. The More A Song Is Heard, The More It Is Appreciated (1999) Ashley Bryan 

3. Discussion Questions "What does Ashley Bryan mean when he describes himself this way in his poem? Is he childlike, and if so, how? Why might it be difficult for people to stay "childlike"? Did you notice any deeper meaning to Bryan's Beautiful Blackbrid book? Can stories like these be effective in sending messages about serious topics? Why or why not? What obstacles did Ashley Bryan overcome on his journey to become a successful artist? Have those obstacles influenced his art? Why does Ashley Bryan love to paint? Do any of these found objects have special meaning related to the subject?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add fabric (cloth, mesh) to fill in the positive space (middle ground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

2. Add stitching (running, basting, zigzag) to fill in the positive space (middle ground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

3. Add found objects (paper clips, twigs, pins) to fill in the positive space (middle ground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ashley Bryan Collages for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, printed paper, foam pieces)

Lesson Activities

1. Use highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

2. Use shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Ashley Bryan Collages

3. Add embellishments (glitter, sequins, rhinestones) to the positive space (foreground) of the Ashley Bryan Collages 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Learning Targets

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Lucus l (1986-1987) Chuck Close

2. Read Chuck Close: Up Close by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

3. Discussion Questions "What is similar between these paintings? How are the two paintings different? What similarities and differences can you find? How does Chuck Close create his paintings? How do you make a big head? How do you make a nose? How does his behavior inform his work and shape our cultural narrative? Why does context matter? What does he start with when making a painting? What part of his paintings does he want to be most important? How did Chuck Close make the mustache in the image? Why does Chuck Close use a grid method for his artwork? What are the different types of printmaking and art making that Chuck Close uses?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add lines for proportions (head, neck, shoulders) within the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait
2. Use drawing tool to draw contour line of facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) of the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait
3. Use drawing tool to add characteristics (smile, accessories, glasses) to the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chuck Close Pattern Portraits for Assigned Table
2. Self Portrait (2000) Chuck Close

3. Discussion Questions "How would Chuck Close answer questions about his life and work in an interview? What actions did Chuck Close's family take that supported his interest in art? Do you think this support was important in him becoming an artist? How does Chuck Close involve his friends and family to make art? What kind of injury does Chuck Close suffer from? What are the steps Chuck Close goes through in a series when making a painting? What devices, tools, and help does Chuck Close use to overcome his physical problems? What kind of student was Chuck Close? How and why does Chuck Close make his style of portrait art? Why does Chuck Close use a grid method for his artwork?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Add adornments (jewelry, hairstyles, freckles) to positive space (face, head, shoulder) of pattern portraits
2. Add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to positive space (face, head, shoulder) of pattern portrait
3. Add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to negative space (background) of Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chuck Close Pattern Portraits for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (computer, photographs, photoshop, gimp)

Lesson Activities

1. Use paint bucket tool to fill in the positive space (head, face, shoulder) with complementary colors (red green; blue orange; purple yellow) of pattern portrait
2. Use paint brush tool to fill in the negative space (head, face, shoulder) with complementary colors (red green; blue orange; purple yellow) of pattern portrait
3. Use adjustments to add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) and highlights (light source, reflective light) to Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Artist Examples

Student Examples