Goals: Exploration of multi-cultural representations
of a specific creature – comparison of symbolic visual
representations of a subject. Creation and employment
of icons, abstraction, and multiple color schemes to
create a complex composition. Familiarization with
artists who appropriate/borrow from/are inspired by
others’ work.
Materials: internet access, pencil, paper, watercolor
paints, markers (optional)
Process: Students chose a creature to research –
looked up diverse cultures’ representation of chosen
creature, discussed similarities and differences in
style and communicative content of representations,
and sketched them. Created abstract composition by
combining selected cultural icons and layering them
with a stencil of their own symbol relating to the
creature. Devised several 6-color schemes using
formula of main color, tint, shade, tone, analogous,
and complement. Changed color schemes in accordance
with overlap of symbols.
