Choosing an Artwork

Step 1:

First you have to choose a masterpiece. To find a piece that you like, you can look up a specific/favorite artist, a material type (oil painting, water color), an art movement (Expressionism, Op Art, Abstract Art) or by a theme (people, animal, landscape, dream...).

If you want to see a variety of options, you can visit a local gallery or take a virtual tour of a gallery in order to find and sketch a piece that you enjoy.

The artwork that you choose can be a classic masterpiece or a creation that is not considered "mainstream." A piece of art that is not considered mainstream may not be well known across the world (not "ultra" famous) but might be popular locally.

Sketching the Masterpiece

Step 2:

Next you can begin to sketch the major areas of the masterpiece. Keep it simple at first and do not worry about details yet.

Try to accurately draw the main shapes of the masterpiece, paying attention to the proportions and sizes of the subject/objects. Try to get the shapes in the correct position and location (composition) on your paper/canvas. You want it to match up as close as possible to the original masterpiece.

Changing It Up

Step 3:

For this challenge, we will be "messing around" with the art work by taking some artistic license (making a few changes)and altering the original masterpiece. After you finish sketching the major areas, you have to think about and plan what you will be changing/adding. Ask yourself, "What is going to take place in the picture," and "How/where am I going to add it?"

Some students alter the masterpiece and keep a serious tone. Another way that is popular is a tone of comedy, otherwise known as a parody. Others choose to alter the image so that it has a clear message (the message can be an opinion or a view about a different subject but uses elements of the picture to help express the opinion). Some students attempt to create a combination of all the above.

Details and Color

Step 4:

At this point you have to think about the composition of your final sketch (how you want it to look). When deciding on the composition, the changes can be in front of, behind or integrated (mixed) into the original masterpiece.

Once you decide on the changes and their location, you can begin to draw "the changes" into the sketch. When you finish with the changes, you can begin to add details to both, the masterpiece and your changes. Try to add as many details as possible from the masterpiece while trying to match the amount and level of detail in your changes/additions. This will help create a synergistic (working together) final piece that looks like authentic.

Color is optional and "is up to you" and the materials that you have. Some masterpieces focus on color, and if you chose one that focuses on color, you may need to add color in order for your design to look and feel authentic (like the original).