bearden

Examples!
Double click on the first photo, then use the "Next Image" button at the top. LOOK!
Biography of Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden: Let's Walk The Block
An interactive multimedia experience! Turn up your sound!

Romare Bearden, "Return of the Prodigal Son", painting,
http://www.albrightknox.org/ArtStart/Bearden.html

"Serenade"
Romare Bearden, Serenade, 1969, collage and paint on panel,
45 3/4 x 32 1/2 inches. Collection of Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Romare Bearden, "Jammin' at the Savoy"
The Studio Museum of Harlem, 1968

EVALUATION AND EXPECTATIONS:

Reread the Objective! Remember that this should be an illustration of a story, folktale, myth, bible story, etc.
Your collage should illustrate your story and be of excellent quality.

The forms should be easy to distinguish, and not be "muddy" or hard to see.
You should have used a wide variety of materials, and have many layers of collage.

To earn an A or B, it must show time, thought and effort well beyond "just doing it".
Look at your work and consider how you can make it eye candy!

DO NOT use tape or staples!

EVALUATION:
Evaluation will be based upon:

Following directions
Careful attention to detail
A planned, well thought out composition
A composition that shows background, middleground and foreground
A clear center of attention!
All space is utilized and filled with color and collage!
Use of many different and varied materials (showing time and effort in the
collection of the materials)
Text used somewhere in the collage
Story or parable written on the back of the page

Materials:

Magazines with photos, newspapers with photos, old photos, photos from calendars, advertisements and other sources, fabric scraps, candy wrappers, etc., etc..

Scissors
Glue/gluestick
Markers, colored pencils

PROCEDURE

1. First, spend some time with the web resources.
Look, look, and look some more! And listen, to the music of the Harlem Renaissance.

2. Consider ways that you can create a collage that will illustrate your story. Study the work of Romare Bearden for insight into the many ways you can compose a collage! Consider what mood or feeling you want your collage to portray. What colors will communicate that mood?

3. Next, gather your materials. You will need a wide range of materials. Collect items such as:

magazines
photographs from magazines,
colorful scraps of paper,
newspapers,
advertisements,
bits of thread, yarn or cloth,
wrappers with interesting textures,
bits of foil, and
other scrap materials that have strong color and texture.
DO NOT print anything from your computer, or use any images of artworks, paintings, comics, animation characters, or any image created by another artist.

4. Next create a loose sketch of the composition or placement of objects in your collage. Pay attention to the size and placement of objects. Your center of attention should be larger and more prominent than the background (smaller). Create an area of EMPHASIS using color and color contrast. Be sure you plan a foreground, middle ground and background.

5. Next, start finding photographs that will fit into your sketch. Don't be afraid to use many different photos or pieces of paper/cloth to create a figure.

6. Cut your shapes to fit within your sketch. Experiment with different arrangements of your cut shapes. Remember, we are not making reality! Find the most effective shapes. Build layers, use many different materials, and look for ways to make a bright, vibrant composition! Work for a richness, by placing contrasting or complementary colors together. Consider using a limited color scheme, such as a monochromatic scheme.

The more layers, the more interesting shapes, the better it will become!

7. Add details with markers, ink, or colored pencils. Be sure that ALL THE SPACE is filled and utilized. No white should remain, unless it is an important element of your composition (example: a white collar on a shirt).

7.Use collage to add meaningful text! Cut out letters!

8. Write the name of your fable, tale, or myth on the facing page of your journal.

9. Last: AVOID cliche's!