Alpha Art Workshop booklet NAEA 2014

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Artist Blog: www.alphabet100.blogspot.com
Web sites: www.wordworld.com
A great sketchbook or “I’m finished—now what should I do” project
was developed by graphic artist Christopher Rouleau. In one year, he
spent a week on each upper
and lower case letter of the
alphabet, drawing 100 morphed versions of each letter.
The letters loosely represented something, could be
an object or a feeling, that
began with that letter. One
sketch from each 100 was
selected to use for a final
drawing or painting. Christopher’s blog contains all 52
letter creations, final drawings and a blank worksheet
to create your own.
Workshop contacts:
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Letter identification practice
Julie Miller: notjos3@yahoo.com; www.pinterest.com/notjos3/
abcalpha-art

Reading readiness support
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Reproduce familiar shapes to create new shapes

52 shapes for pattern making
Other project ideas:

Break down large shapes into smaller familiar shapes

Build letters from legos

Promote visualization skills

Block letter name covering square of paper— cut
in smaller squares & rearrange
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Add personal relevance to designs

Starting point for designs

Sculptures from slotted
painted cardboard letters

Facilitates creative success in the art room

Zentangle patterns in
between letters of names
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Build on prior knowledge
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Integrate art with literacy
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_______________________________ ?
Tricia Evers: trevers@newlondon.k12.wi.us; www.pinterest.com/
rishaevers/alpha-art
Julie Miller & Tricia Evers
Ideas from art teachers:
Why Use Alpha-Art???
Additional Books & Resources:
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Artist: Christopher Rouleau
Books: The Butterfly Alphabet by Kjell Dandved; Alphabet City by
Stephen Johnson; The Graphic Alphabet by David Pellitier; Alphabeasties by Sharon Werner & Sarah Forss
Morphing Letters—
Alphabet 100 Project
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Inspiration Words or
Name Dragons
Bembo’s Zoo
Web site: www.bemboszoo.com
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Older students can create a design from a word or name that inspires them.
Start with a piece of colored paper folded in half. Write or print the word
along the fold, dropping the tails off any letters that have them. With the
paper still folded, cut out around the outside
of the word to create symmetrical design.
The cut out word could be glued on another
folded paper and cut out slightly larger—
mola style. Display as a class installation
with written words on the back so only design shows. Tent the designs slightly to
make 3D and attach to wall with sticky clips
on each side. Each word should touch one already
in place.
Books: Bembo’s Zoo, Men of Letters & People of Substance
Author: Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich
Familiar animals are drawn using only the letters in the animal’s
name. Young artists can copy the familiar letter shapes to create engaging animals with more success than when using the shapes in the
how to draw type books. Older students can be challenged to create
their own creatures or self portraits. Print the word being used at the
bottom of the paper and underline each letter after it has been used.
Each letter in the name must be used at least once but can be used
multiple times.
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Instead of building designs with regular lines and shapes—use the
letters of the alphabet to create designs. One example for grades 1-2
is to make flat alphabet “sculpture” drawings on paper. Students
must use all the letters of the alphabet in any position and any size
with each new letter touching an existing one. Look for shapes
formed where the letters touch and color in to create designs or
recognizable forms. Kindergarteners could use the letter shapes
arranged anywhere on the page in any size using crayon—then cover with primary colored watercolor washes. Students tend to share
their projects with each other as if they were “Where’s Waldo” type
books, challenging each other to find their letters.
Alphabet Designs
Pattern Projects
Book Based Character
Drawings
Use letters forwards, backwards and upside down to create pattern
rugs, mandalas, decorated paper Easter eggs, frames or a host of
other projects. Students who know the alphabet know 52 shapes
they can make patterns with and seem to take more time carefully
creating the letters than the usual lines and shapes which they
could also incorporate in their letter patterns. Use the letters in the
students’ names or favorite things or the whole alphabet to create
the patterns. Color in the closed shapes in the letters for extra pattern options.
Book: A Penguin Story
Author: Antoinette Portis
Chose a book where characters are simple and could be drawn using
primarily letters of the alphabet. Have young artists create new adventures for the characters in their drawings and try making the characters
in different positions.
These penguin characters could be created using 2 U’s, 3 V’s, 2 o’s, and
2 L’s.
Younger as well as older artists can make mirror
image prints of their names with tempera paints
and turn the resulting image into a
dragon head by mirror printing
splotches of primary colors around
the name and detailing with sharpies
and glitter paints. Other options
would be to use seasonal words or
family names for personalized gifts.