Caryatids
Grade Levels: 6 - 8
Caryatids are sculptured female figures which serve as ornamental support in place of a column or pilaster.Objectives
- Sudents will make pillars.
Materials
- Brown butcher wrap
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Newspaper
- Gesso
- Poster paint, black and white
- Brushes-all sizes
- Trays and containers for mixing
- Small sponges
- Dowels
- Staples
- Optional: Internet reference material about Greek columns.
Procedures
- Recommended height for the stuffed paper sculpture caryatids you'll be constructing is three to four feet.
- You might precut butcher wrap in accommodating lengths.
- Remember, this is a project with two sides, front and back!
- Dowels may also be sectioned in advance of class with a saw.
- Leave about a foot for possible "planting" of caryatids.
- Dowels will essentially serve as cores, just as they are used in architecture.
- Small sponges will be helpful in replicating the stony quality of the material surface of caryatids. They will be used to apply some of the paint.
- Have all reference materials ready. These column carry heavy burdens and yet look like they are not straining.
- What does it mean to carry such weight?
- Have students take turns balancing the larger reference books on their heads.
- Have them try to shift their posture slightly, as in the pose of the caryatids.
- Distribute butcher wrap and pencils.
- Students should work in pairs.
- Based on observations of caryatids (their posture, the fall of their costumes, the folds, etc.), create a simple contour.
- Outline it and cut it out.
- Take newspaper and tear it for stuffing.
- Staple the two sides of the figure together in sections, stuffing newspaper into it as you go along.
- You may want to assist students.
- Leave a small opening at the bottom to insert the dowel.
- Continue stuffing and stapling until the side seams are shut.
- Then insert the dowel into the center of the caryatid and close with staples.
- Gesso the figures with a flat, wide brush on both sides. Let dry.
- Mix shades of grey from black and white paint.
- Using sponges and various brushes, create a "sculptural" surface, such as granite, giving it a stony appearance.
- Use shadows also.
- "Carve" out features and details with the brushes.
- Refer to reproductions for suggestions.
- Notice styling and modeling details. Do both sides, working in the round. Let dry.
- The maidens may be installed anywhere. An outdoor area that is protected from the elements, perhaps under a shelter, is ideal.
Excerpt from Art Smart!.
