Get Into Art: Animals. Susie Brooks. 2013. Kingfisher. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]
If you were going to draw an animal, what would it be? You have so much choice, it might be hard to decide! Animals are a great subject for artists because there are so many shapes, colors, and characters to choose from...Look at the different ways in which animals have inspired famous artists--and then let them inspire you, too!
What a fun concept book for sharing art with children! Get Into Art Animals shares twelve famous artworks with children. Facts about the artists are given for each work of art. In addition, there is a recommended hands-on art project inspired by each work. A glossary in the back defines art terms. There's also a list of everything you'll need to do all the projects.
The Snail,
Henri Matisse, 1953
Suspense,
Sir Edwin Landseer, 1861
Crinkly Giraffe,
Alexander Calder, 1971
The Bird,
Georges Braque, 1949
Peacock and Magpie,
Edward Bawden, 1970
Fish (E59),
M.C. Escher, 1942
Carnival of Harlequin,
Joan Miro, 1924-1925
Totem Poles, Wayne Alfred and
Beau Dick 1991 and
Ellen Neel 1955
Yellow Cow,
Franz Marc, 1911
Dragon Wish, Chinese artist 1600-1635
Portrait of Maurice,
Andy Warhol, 1976
Jockeys in the Rain,
Edgar Degas, 1883-1886
The project for "Totem Poles" is "Crafty Totem." Making your own totem pole out of a cardboard tube and paper. But my favorite may just be "Colorful Cats" a project inspired by Andy Warhol.
Colorful Cats
Warhol's silk-screen method was complicated, but you can get a similar effect with a simple stencil.
1. On a piece of card stock, draw the outline of an animal and carefully cut it out. You'll end up with two stencils like these. (Cut out the eyes, nose and mouth on the second stencil).
2 Lay stencil 1 on a piece of thick paper and attach it with paper clips. Sponge yellow paint all over it.
3. When the paint is dry, lift the stencil and move it slightly down and to one side. Sponge red paint unevenly over it and then leave it to dry.
4. Now lay stencil 2 on top of the picture and sponge blue paint over the holes. Leave it to dry, and then remove the stencil. Cut out the animal and stick it onto a colorful background. (You can print whiskers by dipping the edge of a strip of card stock in paint.)
Warhol often repeated his prints in different colors. Try making a set like this. (27)
Get Into Art: People. Susie Brooks. 2013. Kingfisher. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Can you think of an art subject that's always around? Just look in a mirror for the answer! Artists often base their work on themselves or other people. Some create portraits to remember people by or characters to illustrate a story. Others capture feelings, actions, fashions, or imaginary faces. The great thing is that people are all different, and artists can bring them to life in many ways. See how people have inspired famous artists--then let them inspire you, too!
I have really enjoyed looking at both books in this art-appreciation series. Like the previous book, this one introduces twelve works of art to children. Facts about each artist are shared. Each work is connected to a hands-on art project. A project materials checklist and a glossary are included in the back.
Vertumnus,
Giuseppe Arcimboldo, about 1590
Weeping Woman,
Pablo Picasso, 1937
David,
Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1501-1504
The Scream,
Edvard Munch, 1893
Children's Games,
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1560
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer 1,
Gustav Klimt, 1907
A Sunday Afternoon On the Island of La Grande Jatte,
Georges Seurat, 1884
Grotesque Faces,
Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s
Egyptian Burial Mask, Ancient Egyptian craftspeople, around 3000 BC to A.D. 1st Century
Girl in Mirror,
Roy Lichtenstein, 1964
Lawn Tennis,
Eadweard Muybridge, 1887
Las Meninas,
Diego Velazquez, 1656
There are so many great project ideas in this one! I find myself liking the projects better in Get Into Art People than in Get Into Art Animals. I'm not sure why! I like how the project for "David" is teaching proportion in drawing. It shows step by step how to draw a face (and body) in proper proportion. The Mummy Mask looks like so much fun!!! However, the example I'd like to share with you is inspired by the photograph action sequences of Eadweard Muybridge.
Action Snaps
To photograph your own action sequences you'll need a camera and a friend.
1. Decide what movement you are going to photograph. It's best if it's something that can be done slowly. Get your friend to try moving in slow motion and holding each stage of the pose. When you're ready to start, stand at a good distance from your subject so that he or she fills the camera frame.
2. Keep the same distance between you and your friend as you photograph each stage of the action. If your model moves in one direction, you should move too.
3. If you're photographing something quick, like a somersault, get your friend to repeat the movement and press the shutter button at a different stage each time.
4. Print out your photos and arrange them in sequence--or "stitch" them together on a computer. (27)
I would recommend both of these books by Susie Brooks.
© 2014 Becky Laney of
Becky's Book Reviews
