Shadow Play: an art project to do with kids and friends.

A new way to do a self portrait.

I am a big fan of my shadow. It follows me most places. It never complains. It plays and dances with me. It's beautiful. This project is a cool way to do a shadow self portrait. I have recently done this project a few times in some children's art classes which I have taught at the Missoula Art Museum. It's simple and it doesn't require many materials. I like this project because it requires at least three people to work together to capture our shadow. I'm going to give step by step directions as follows. Please use what is helpful, experiment. If you find a way that works better for you let me know so I can try it.

materials:

1. large paper that is thick enough to hold paint (although if you don't have paint and you want to use dry materials such as pastels or markers your paper wouldn't need to be that thick.)

2. a light that can work as a spot light, such as a flash light or l.e.d. head lamp. You can also try using household lamps or a work lamp. The important part is that it reflects your friend's shadow on the wall.

3. tape or some other adhesive that will hold your paper to the wall

4. a marker to trace the shape of your shadow onto the paper

5. tempera paints, markers, pastels, or any other material you find fun to decorate your image and background with .

Directions:

1. Fix your paper to the wall using tape or whatever works for you.

2. Shine the light on the person so that their shadow appears on the paper in a shape that they like. Some people like a serious looking silhouette, and others prefer sillier shapes.

3. the person holding the light has to hold very still. The person holding a shape also has to hold very still while a third person traces the shadow with the maker onto the paper.

4. Once the shadow is traced take your paper from the wall and place it on a work table. Decorate your shadow in any way that feels fun for you. I've painted my shadow black and then filled my background in with all kinds of colors and designs. You could do the opposite of that, or come up with your very own design. Have fun getting to know your shadow.