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#1 SO SYMMETRICAL: Butterflies, Breakfasts, and Mandalas !
Use whatever materials you have. Make it realistic or more cartoony. Use color or don't. Keep it simple or get really detailed. Remember, the key is to BALANCE the right and left sides and make it SPECIFIC... not generic. #1 SO SYMMETRICAL: Butterflies, Breakfasts, and Mandalas !
This assignment is about SYMMETRY, specifically something called bilateral or reflective symmetry. This is when two facing sides of a picture look the same. They appear to mirror each other. A human face, for example, is (fairly) symmetrical. If you draw a line down the center of most faces, you’ll find basically the same thing on each side of it: an eye, an ear, half a nose, and half a mouth. The markings on a butterfly’s wings are typically symmetrical too.
We're also working with the IMAGERY of a butterfly because there is so much SYMBOLISM associated with the creature. Rest and protection! Growth! Metamorphosis and transformation! Freedom and flight! C'mon... it's perfect.
We're also working with the IMAGERY of a butterfly because there is so much SYMBOLISM associated with the creature. Rest and protection! Growth! Metamorphosis and transformation! Freedom and flight! C'mon... it's perfect.
If you prefer to work on a project that isn't butterfly-based... cool. Your focus could be on finding (or imagining) symmetry and translating it to a drawn (painted, collaged, etc.) image. If you're feeling like working through DESIGN and ornamentation, see the "MANDALA" project below.
LEVEL UP: You could also choose to make this 3D, using cut paper or recycled materials. Just make sure that whatever you use, you have an even number of- so you can keep your 2 sides symmetrical.
You could also CUT THEM OUT and adhere them to a window in your house for all to see when they pass by!
You could also CUT THEM OUT and adhere them to a window in your house for all to see when they pass by!
People Playing with SYMMETRY
People Playing with SYMMETRY
When we're talking symmetry, we're talking EVEN, BALANCED reflections, within an image.
I LOVE this photographer who travels the world, eating and cooking symmetrical breakfasts for himself and his partner... they're never QUITE the same, but generally symmetrical, nonetheless.
I LOVE this photographer who travels the world, eating and cooking symmetrical breakfasts for himself and his partner... they're never QUITE the same, but generally symmetrical, nonetheless.
So don't worry too much about PERFECT symmetry... look at how delicious, imperfect symmetry can be.
Yes, we're attracted to the inherent balance of symmetry, but apparently it's the subtle asymmetry in face is what makes us cute.
Yes, we're attracted to the inherent balance of symmetry, but apparently it's the subtle asymmetry in face is what makes us cute.
Wes Anderson is a contemporary film director who uses SYMMETRY in his films to help develop his signature style (not a lot of other directors do this; it is seen as being too "staged" or static, rather than dynamic. I think that's true! But it's SOOOOOOOO pleasing to the eye!
Instructions:
Instructions:
Here’s how we’ll make our butterflies:
First draw a butterfly. Make it symmetrical. Draw the head and the body, then add the wings. Try to make the wings the same shape. You can do that freehand or, if you want it to be more perfectly symmetrical, the video tutorials can help with that.
One way...
Another way...
Now, color in your butterfly. Use paint, markers, pastels, colored pencils, whatever you want. Just remember: SYMMETRY. Try to make each wing the same. If you put a red dot on the upper right wing, add one on the upper left wing too. Use all the color you want. Go crazy! But do not color the background at all. That should stay white.
...or Wing it!
Last, give your butterfly a name. Tell us what kind of butterfly it is. Write the name underneath it.
CLICK through this image gallery to see how others interpreted the assignment.
So many butterfly variations out there, look some up for inspiration!
You could also:
You could also:
use found-objects and an ink pad to "stamp" shapes on the wings.
add/glue or natural elements like leaves or acorn tops
complete one side, and have a family member try to mirror it on the other side
create many butterflies and make them into a mobile or a garland
Write a poem inspired by butterfly themes: transformation, uniqueness, or freedom to pair with your artwork.
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Here is a video of Tibetan monks making a symmetrical mandala out of colored SAND.
It's SO detailed.
Watch until the end, you'll be surprised.
Alternate Project:
Alternate Project:
Mandalas
Mandalas
...A mandala (Sanskrit, literally "circle") is a geometric configuration of symbols.
Used for focusing attention of practitioners, as a spiritual guidance tool, as an aid to meditation.
They are often made using RADIAL SYMMETRY.
Instructions:
Instructions:
We can begin our mandalas by folding paper to make our guidelines. See the instructions.
Color Theory Refresher:
Color Theory Refresher:
If as you're drawing or painting, you're feeling a little rusty with color composition or mixing paint colors, refresh your memory with this
<-------- quick-hit-color-theory-website.
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