Materials:

12” X 18” cream or white tagboard, pencils, black permanent marker, gold, ochre, and white acrylic paint, sponge squares (moistened), pie pans or foam trays for paint, watercolors, brushes, examples of Egyptians (photos and handouts), story for back of finished painting

Objectives: The student will:

• be introduced to Egyptian life and art
• look at examples of Egyptian figures and translate them to their own art work
• use objects other than a brush to paint (sponges)
• make critical choices pertaining to color for their paintings
• gain practice in using watercolors
• learn about figure proportion

See Denise's Sample - Full Figure

1. Introduce students to Egyptian life, including pyramids, tombs, carvings, hieroglyphics, and mummies.
2. Show example of an Egyptian figure and point out the way the feet and head face one direction and the shoulder and eye are facing another.
3. Have students stand and attempt to stand in this way so they know just how difficult this would really be. Egyptians thought this pose made the figure look more important.
4. Hand out examples of Egyptian figure drawings. Students will use these as inspiration for their drawings, making changes as they go. Add hieroglyphics around the figure.
5. Trace the drawing in black permanent marker.
6. The next step is to “age” the drawing so it appears ancient. Using a sponge, the students dip in to the gold and ochre paint and dab onto their drawings, being careful not to completely cover up their black lines. White is sponged to areas that are too dark.
7. Using watercolors, paint in areas, very subtly.
8. Story is glued to back when finished. Can be mounted or framed.

Simple Steps to Post on Board:

1. Draw with pencil.
2. Trace with marker.
3. Sponge very lightly with gold and ochre.
4. Sponge white to cover dark areas.
5. Watercolor using LOTS of water.