Embedded Files
The Studio Habits of Mind that will be explored in this unit are Reflect and Stretch and Explore.
Reflect
Reflect
To reflect on an artwork, whether it is our own, the work of our peers, or professional work, we must learn to think and talk about art using specific vocabulary to that particular art form. It is also important as we reflect, to think and talk about the art making process and the conventions artists use to create work. Reflecting also means deciphering the meaning of the piece intended by the artist through visual symbolism and finding connections to it on a personal level.
Stretch and Explore
Stretch and Explore
To stretch and explore as artists we must learn to use all of the Studio Habits of Mind, and artistic concepts and conventions to go beyond what we perceive as our limitations - or what we think we can't do or aren't good at. We must remember to explore new ideas, mediums, and tools, stretch beyond our comfort zone by trying new things, take risks, and make mistakes. Most importantly, as artists, we must learn from everything that we engage in, the progress we make, and all of the opportunities for growth and development.
Just as in all of the other Studio Habits of Mind, the ability for an artist to reflect on their work and the work of others and to reach beyond what they think they're capable of takes repeated practice and time.
Give an example or two, outside of the art room, where you reflected on something you did?
Give an example or two, outside of the art room, where you've thought you couldn't do something, but then found out that once you tried you could?
Artistic Concept
Artistic Concept
A concept is an abstract idea. They are the fundamental building blocks that lead us to think, act, or create in a certain way. Artists use different concepts to take their ideas from abstraction to reality. The concept being explored through the lens of the Studio Habits - Reflect & Stretch and Explore is Creativity and Originality.
Together let's define the concept! Let's make a list based on these two questions:
Together let's define the concept! Let's make a list based on these two questions:
What does it mean to "be original?"
What does "creativity" look like?
How well do you know how to be creative? Rank yourself using the scale on the criteria we wrote as a class.
Creativity refers to an artist's ability to find unique, alternative solutions to problems of all sorts through innovation, experimentation, and diverse thinking. Creativity is not just a skill, but it is a process that can be learned and developed through passion and repeated practice.
Learn More:
Originality lies in an artist's ability to create something that is "new" to them. Originality does not mean that the artwork, or the process is entirely new or never been seen before. Most "original" pieces are inspired by other things in the artist's life including other artworks. Originality, it it's purest sense is simply how each individual creates an artwork using their own inspiration, set of references, individual skillsets, experiences, personal meanings, and values.
What Will I Create?
What Will I Create?
Hand and Rod Puppet
Traditional Puppet
Two-Handed Puppet
Full Arm/ Body Puppet
Realistic Puppet
Style
Style
Don't limit yourself stylistically. Anything you can imagine is more than likely possible with hand and rod puppets. This means that you could be highly realistic, or gruesome and gory, or whimsical and cartoony. Hand and rod puppets do not need to look like a Muppet or a character from Sesame street if you do not want them to.
Let's Get Started
What makes up a character's personality?
What makes up a character's personality?
Character design is a very complex area of art. There are so many factors that contribute to what defines a character. How they exhibit who they are on the inside by their appearance on the outside is one way that we can define personality.
Let's make a list. What are some characters with memorable personalities? What makes them stand out to you?
What did you learn from the video? What are some things that help to create character?
Let's take a look at some famous Puppets:
Let's take a look at some famous Puppets:
Elmo
What is their personality? How can you tell that in their design?
Sir Didymus
Skeksis
What is their personality? How can you tell that in their design?
Gonzo
What is their personality? How can you tell that in their design?
Yoda
What is their personality? How can you tell that in their design?
Chucky
Time to Design:
Time to Design:
Gather References
Gather References
What you choose has a direct impact on how the story is told and interpreted by the viewer.
reference sheet - monster puppet
Effective use of reference is "stealing like an artist," but also a form of inspiration. Artists create an "original" piece by combining together elements that work to enhance the story in a unique way from a number of sources.
Element of Art and Design
Element of Art and Design
The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a recipe. There has to be ingredients in order to make a certain dish; no ingredients, no chocolate chip cookies. The elements of art are like the ingredients. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, but at least one must be present.
Reflect & Stretch and Explore will focus on the following element of art & design:
Discover some interesting aspects of the element of art and design: form
Learn more through the completion of the Form Guide
Why is it important to learn more about form for this project?
How does form figure in to character design?
How does form figure in to character design?
Through Artistic Conventions:
Through Artistic Conventions:
A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.
Personal Voice
What does Personal Voice mean to you?
What does Personal Voice mean to you?
Your "personal voice" is a mixture of your experiences, your personality, your feelings, your interests, and what inspires and motivates you. It is everything that makes you YOU! Mix that with the elements and principles of art, composition, technique, style, and process and you get your Personal Voice. What makes up your personal voice? How does it affect your artwork?
Principle of Art and Design
Principle of Art and Design
If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.
Reflect & Stretch and Explore will focus on the following principle of art & design:
Discover some interesting aspects about the principle of art & design: pattern and repetition
Learn more through completion of the Pattern Guide
How does pattern/repetition figure in to character design?
How does pattern/repetition figure in to character design?
Through Artistic Conventions:
Through Artistic Conventions:
A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.
Time to Sketch!
Time to Sketch!
Using the reference images you gathered as well as the three worksheets that planned out your characters personality with their physical attributes, create a sketch of your puppet.
Sketch your whole puppet - if it's a traditional hand and rod puppet you only need to sketch its head, torso, and arms; if its a full body puppet you will need to sketch the whole body.
Use your reference images frequently as you draw. Remember the lesson on shape language as well as visual stereotypes when translating your character's personality into a physical attribute.
sketch of monster puppet
Let's Build
Let's Build
Making a Custom Pattern
Making a Custom Pattern
Our puppet builds will begin with your character's head first. To begin you will sculpt the basic shape of your character's head in soft clay. Be sure to make it about the size of a baseball. Do NOT sculpt the eyes, nose, lips, or ears - these features will be added on later after the initial head shape is constructed. DO add cheeks or a muzzle (if your character has one, like a dragon or cat for example) to your head shape.
Ensure that your sculpt looks as close to your sketch as possible - the pattern for your puppet's head is made directly from this sculpt.
Hand sculpt the clay into the basic shape of your character's head.
Cut a pie shaped opening that separates the top and bottom jaws of your character's mouth.
Beginning at the top of the head, wrap the whole form in one layer of clear plastic wrap. Try to smooth out large folds.
Using small strips of tape, cover only one half of the character's head - either the right or left half. Do two layers of tape. Do NOT put tape over the mouth opening.
taped pattern
taped pattern
photocopied pattern
photocopied pattern
Resources
Resources
Making a fleece pattern for a character's head
Making a fleece pattern for a character's head
Learn how to create a symmetrical pattern for the fabric that will make up the characters head
Learn how to create a fabric mouth covering that will go over the plastic mouth plate. Starting from 13:30 time stamp on video.
Learn how to attach the sewn fabric to the foam head. Starting from 15:40 time stamp on the video.
Ladder Stitch or Slip Stitch
Ladder Stitch or Slip Stitch
Learn how to sew a whipstitch which will be used for detailing as you can't see the seam once it's done.
Attaching the Neck to the Body
Attaching the Neck to the Body
Learn how to attach the head to the character's body leaving enough space for the character's neck. Starting from 6:00 time stamp on the video.
Creating Hands
Creating Hands
Learn how to create and attach arms for your puppet. The hand with the rod on your puppet should be the opposite hand that you write with:
Lefties - rod on right arm of puppet
Righties - rod on left arm of puppet
Learn how to make a fabric nose for your character.
Ping Pong Eyes
Ping Pong Eyes
Learn to select the right size eyes and prepare them to be used on your puppet.
Eyelids
Eyelids
Learn to make eyelids for your puppet that show expression and emotion.
Facial Features
Facial Features
Learn how to add the major facial features for your character. Remember, this is a guide, you can tailor these instructions for your specific puppet.
Learn how to make ears - starting from 3:05 time stamp on video
Learn how to make eyes - starting from 5:55 time stamp on the video
Learn how to make pupils for the eyes - starting from 7:55 time stamp on the video
Learn how to make eyebrows - starting from 8:15 time stamp on the video
Learn how to make a tongue - starting from 8:45 time stamp on the video
Creating hair
Creating hair
There are numerous materials you can make hair from. This tutorial teaches you how to make hair from fur. You could also use yarn, hair cut from Barbie dolls, wigs, etc. Learn how to create a unique hairstyle for your puppet.
Puppet Clothes
Puppet Clothes
This tutorial will teach you some of the basics of creating clothing for your character from tailoring existing clothes to fit better, to creating your own clothing.
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