Ruscha-Style Ribbon Word Drawings

I love, love, LOVE the work of Pop artist artist Ed Ruscha.  His paintings are sublime and his word ribbon drawings are pure perfection and the perfect starting point for an observational drawing project.

I found the original lesson idea years and years ago on the Incredible Art Department website. I can no longer find it unfortunately and the website is defunct. I used it so much in my early years of teaching!!

Grade 10-12 students chose a word(s), in any language, and then constructed them out of strips of heavy white paper. Then they hot glued them to a sheet of white paper. Finally, they drew the word directly from observation. They had to include a full range of values. 

I always love how these turn out!!

 

Ruscha-Style Ribbon Word Drawings

I love, love, LOVE the work of American artist Ed Ruscha.  His paintings are sublime and his word ribbon drawings are pure perfection and the perfect starting point for an observational drawing project.

Ed Ruscha, Quit, 1967 , Gunpowder and colored pencil on paper      Image Source



I used the fantastic lesson plan found here on the Incredible Art Department website.

Grade 10 students chose a word(s), in any language, and then constructed them out of strips of heavy white paper.

Then they hot glued them to a sheet of white paper.

Then we lit them with a lamp and the students drew them directly from observation. They had to include a tiny object that somehow subtly related to their chosen word(s).

Ta da!



The shadow figure was collaged on.

  




"vast"

 


"Agape" is Greek for "love"




"Elma"

   


"Strength"