Tessellation Portraits.

This idea comes from Mrs. Kamp at Calver Schools in Baltimore.  It takes two projects I have done in the past and blends them together to get one unified, active, interesting artwork: Tessellations and posterized portraits.  The images are from her class, (we are going to start ours on Tuesday with  tessellations!

From Mrs. Kamps website

From Mrs. Kamp

So this project starts with tessellations.  I will teach them about simple translations.

(these directions are from Julianna Kunstler. )

here are few patterns that you can follow to construct a tessellation.

The basic one is "translation" pattern - where you attach the cut out pieces to an opposite side of your shape:

This is an example of a more complex tessellation pattern - "rotation" template.  Instead of sliding a cutout to an opposite side - you rotate it.

Now typically, when I do a tessellation project, we spend a lot of time turning these shapes into something we recognize.  For this project, we are using this to create an interesting colorful background.  While students are starting their tessellations, I will photograph each student and print out a posterized version of their face.  Students then trace the lines separating values, (probably only two, light and dark) this line drawing is transferred to the tessellation page, and painted in with tempra.

Monochromatic Value Portraits

We have been working on a "Posterized" photograph of ourselves.  First, we get photos taken in front of a blank screen on the smartboard.  The white background and bright light from the projector are a great quick photo studio.  I print them up and students go over the edges of the value shapes with pen.  We then take them to a window, and transfer the lines to a new sheet of paper.  (I also photocopied their drawings 4 times to extend the project into a pop art piece (more on that later))  Then we paint in the image using the original as a guide.  Working from black (pure color) to light and white.  Pick a contrasting color for the background.

Here is another art teacher who has produced a project just like this one....

Sells Art: 8th grade value drawings and song paintings!: