The Arts Studio
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Metamorphosis project

Embracing the magic of surrealism


Surrealism was one of the most exciting art movements in human history, and its repercussions still influence us today.

But what is Surrealism, and how is it relevant to us?

​To find out more, let's watch this video and find out.



Surrealism is the first movement to encourage and utilize imagery from the mind and the imagination. 

Morphing and transforming things was one of the ways Surrealists used to change what they saw in the world, and fight the status quo.

Our first project will  be a fully shaded pencil drawing based on this amazing art movement!


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Step 1: The planning

You will start off by finding two images to use: your beginning image and your end image. These images will merge into each other through a series of several steps.

You can use 3 to 5 steps, as long as the transition is smooth.

As you find your images, save them on a Google doc and share them with me if you need it to be printed. 

You can trace the beginning and end images -- the trick will be shading them as well as drawing the middle connection images!

As part of your planning, you will start by creating a minimum of three thumbnails showing three different compositions for your idea. 

A thumbnail is a small sketch that includes the border of your canvas or paper; it defines the shape of your final drawing.

These thumbnails help you decide your composition and help you refine your idea.

​An example of thumbnails can be seen below!


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Step 2: The shading sample

After you have refined your idea, you will test your shading technique with four different pencils ranging from H to 6B. 

Keep in mind: your shading doesn't have to be blended as demonstrated by Mrs. J.

You can use any type of shading technique you find appealing -- from pointillism, to hatching, to crosshatching, to scumbling, to blending. 


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Step 3: The rough draft

​You will now create a rough draft of your image in sketch paper. You have to figure out your transitions before you get the good paper, and adjust them so that you know where you are going. Show me your sketch when you are ready for the good paper!

Step 4: The final work

On your final paper, you will lightly sketch the location of your drawings and start outlining them with a light hand.

The number 1 mistake that students do when shading something is not adding enough gray areas. Shading your piece doesn't just involve adding shadows; in fact, EVERY area of your drawing should have some shade of gray in it. The only white areas are the highlights, and those are very rare. 


Carefully look at the drawings below and try to find where are the areas which are completely white. See how little these are? Use them sparingly for the best 3D effects!

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The eyes of the owl and some areas of the paper are white.
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The use of white was very effective for the empty space on the first dragonfly. Otherwise, notice how dark the image is going.
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The hat and muffin only have a few areas of white -- the rest is dirty gray
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This apple logo has been lifted to new heights by the shading on this piece.

Happy Transforming!

Contact

The Arts Studio © Copyright 2019-2021 by Mrs. J., a teacher at Ecole Glenbrook Middle School, New Westminster
No rights reserved for ideas and materials. Use it in your classroom, make copies, enjoy!
  • done Welcome
  • done Class Rules
  • done Grade 6/7s
    • done Fine Arts >
      • done Scavenger Hunt
      • skip What does an artist do?
      • done Introduction to Art
      • done Collaborative Banner
      • done Bypass your Catalogue
      • done Charcoal Still Life
      • done Pencil Portrait
      • skip Printmaking
      • done Form and 3D sculpting
      • done Exquisite Corpse
    • Drama >
      • Done - Basics of Theater
      • Done - Improv
      • Dance and Movement
      • Done: Twisted Fairy Tales
  • Grade 8s
    • Fine Arts >
      • Explorations >
        • Done - Drawing >
          • Done - Metamorphosis
        • Done - History
        • Done -0 Pride of Self
        • Done - Microscopic Art
        • Done - Animation
        • Done - Activism
        • Done - Graffiti Art
        • Done - Book Poetry
        • Done - Junk Art
    • Drama >
      • Done - Improv >
        • Done - Warm Up
        • Done - Finals 2019
      • Done - Car Plays
      • Done - Tableau
      • Done - Musical Theatre
  • Toolbox
    • Done - Drawing
    • Mixed Media
    • Animation
    • Artist Statement
  • Elements
    • Line - Doodle
    • Done - Value and Shading
    • Colour
  • Checkout
  • Special Projects
    • Bump-Out