In this project, artists look at the shapes that make up their own bodies and recreate these shapes on a piece of paper, cut them, reassemble them, and ‘pose’ them in their desired superhero pose before drawing the silhouette of their superhero on their paper. This will become the cover for their book.
Students will be working individually, so have materials prepared to go out to tables/desks depending on how your class is set up. Students can share scissors.
Pencil, watercolor paper, scissors, eraser
N/A
Optional: 5 Minute Marvel Stories, or old comics (for early finishers)
⚲'Procession Canvas-Diptych', William Kentridge, 2000
Paper collage, charcoal, and paint on canvas.
Project the inspiration image where students can see it. Give students a moment to study it silently, then begin a brief discussion with the phrase, “What can we find?”. Paraphrase what students say for the benefit of the class, being careful to remain neutral, then ask “What else can we find?”.
Alternately, allow them to draw or write what they notice on a blank piece of paper or in a sketchbook.
The point of this discussion time is to have students learn and add onto each other’s thoughts. By remaining neutral and simply repeating what students say you allow students to do the heavy mental lifting and also create an environment where there is no wrong answer, fostering creativity and mental risk-taking.
Check for understanding by asking, “Who was listening closely that can sum up what we are doing today?” Make sure that student artists can list all the steps and clarify anything that needs clarifying.
In particular, make sure that they understand they should fill the box with the body part—if they are made smaller the superhero will be too small.
Ensure that students understand that they are NOT cutting out the squares, they are cutting out the shapes inside the squares.
The students will begin the day by working in pairs to identify the shapes in different parts of their body. The teacher may want to lead this; have the students pair up, then instruct one of them to close their eyes and trace their friend’s head, then the other partner traces, then they both draw. Move on to the neck in the same way, the torso, the arms, and the legs. They then work independently on completing their drawings.
The focus of the class period should be getting student artists to recognize that they can identify line and shape in what they want to draw. They use the template so that they begin to become familiar with proper body proportions.
Use 'what, how, and why' and then take comments or questions.
Depending on the teacher’s style of classroom management, it might be helpful to only choose and train a few kids to clean. The rest of the class can be busy with the presentation. Make sure to train these helpers well in advance so that you aren’t left with a messy room.
Clean-up times will vary with materials; get to know your class and allow 5-10 minutes depending on how efficient they are and whether or not the material was messy.
Choose presenting student artists in advance and let them know during their work time so that they are prepared.
Sharing should work as follows:
Students, especially younger students, may have a difficult time cutting. If they are cutting inaccurately, encourage them to cut in smaller ‘bites’. Emphasize going around the outside of the line rather than on the inside. Tell them that it doesn’t matter if it is perfect, as they are going to draw it later and they fix it up as they draw it.
If they accidentally cut too much, tell them that they can piece it back together and just trace around the outside. If they are still upset, give them a small piece of tape to fix it with.
If they cut the torso out as individual pieces, that’s o.k.
If they misplace a body part, have them borrow a friend's after that friend has traced it.
Early finishers can add to their ‘zine from Lesson 1, or they can add a background to their superhero silhouette, helping to tell where their superhero lives, etc. (Remind them to not add details to their superhero, yet!). They can also reference the optional 5 Minute Marvel stories or old comics.
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