Do you study ancient Egypt at your school? Here is a colorful, successful art project inspired by the art of ancient Egypt.
Materials:
- black construction paper, 12″x18″
- pencils with eraser tip
- chalk pastels
- black oil pastel
- reference photos
- hairspray or other fixative
- newspaper to cover tables
We looked at images from King Tut’s tomb, old issues of National Geographic magazine (I think they cover Egypt every year!), and reviewed images of the Egyptian gods.
Students were instructed to select a subject and draw it on the black paper. Encourage students to 1) draw LARGE (fill the sheet) and 2) don’t add too many tiny details.
I model drawing with an eraser: draw layout lines on the black paper only using the eraser. If you mess up, just wipe away the rubbings and try again.
After students draw with pencil, they should go over their pencil lines with black oil pastel. Color in the portraits with chalk pastel. As a final step, retrace the oil pastel lines a second time.
Spray with hairspray or other fixative to prevent smearing (note: this will dull colors somewhat).
This art project is adapted from the Arts Attack curriculum. In addition to my reference photos and the Arts Attack drawing aids, I offered three step-by-step handouts from the library book How to Draw Egypt’s Sights and Symbols (ISBN 978-0823966820).
Pinterest bonus: here are some ancient Egyptian pins that I have collected for next year:
- Ancient Egyptian goddesses: http://pinterest.com/pin/274367802268723258/
- Ancient Egyptian patterns: http://pinterest.com/pin/274367802268723261/
- National Geographic video intro to Ancient Egypt: http://pinterest.com/pin/274367802268693512/
- Drawing aid for Ancient Egyptian clothing: http://pinterest.com/pin/274367802268452663/
- How to make a clay cartouche: http://pinterest.com/pin/274367802268747040/
- Carol Lemke’s Egyptian Art lesson board: http://pinterest.com/carollemke/k-5-art-lesson-egyptian-art/
- Ancient Egyptian metal art from For the Love of Art: http://pinterest.com/pin/213709944787995729/
Merci beaucoup Rina pour cet bel article. Je vais suivre tes conseils pour avoir de beaux dessins !
What a fabulous project. These are amazing. And it would be so fun while studying Egypt. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Sharefest!
misssrobin recently posted..My Collapse-in-the-Shower Moment
Oh, I love your blog! I’m a homeschooling mom, and I’m always looking for art ideas. I’ll be sticking around! 🙂 Stopped in from SITS.
adrienne recently posted..Exclusive Thred Up Offer
Popped in from Saturday Sharefest! That looks like so fun–can I try even though sixth grade was eons ago? 🙂
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