Modigliani Style Portraits

There are several sites that show this lesson idea – portraits in the style of Modigliani. I got my inspiration from deepspacesparkle.com. Students love blending colored chalks together, and it really comes alive on black paper. afaithfulattempt.com also emulates Modigliani works with students, but uses tempera paint instead. my class is  introduced to several works by Amadeo Modigliani and we discuss several key features that characterize his works: almond shaped eyes, elongated necks and noses, dark outlines, no iris or pupils in eyes, mask-like faces.

We then make a slight fold in black paper in halfway and then again to divide the paper into 1/4. The oval face takes up half the page, neck takes 1/4, and shoulders take up 1/4. Students are then given instruction as to how to best blend chalks. Each large section must have at least 3 colors of chalk in them (hair, face, background, shoulders etc).  I show how to draw different kinds of noses, eyes and lips. Students are encouraged to practice in their sketchbooks, and try different blends on a scrap black piece of paper. Students are shown how to create hair highlights, and how to use the chalk to create thick and thin lines. Students get to be the make-up artists, and fashion designers of their subjects!