Welcome to the IGCSE Summer Blog for BUPS/BIS (soon to be BLIS) students leaving Grade 8 and entering into Grade 9.

This blog is your guide to your summer assignment: 12 Variations

Over the course of the next few weeks you will be completing 12 different art pieces based around one object of your choosing. This blog will provide you with examples and links to help you with each variation. On average you should aim to complete two variations per week. You will need a sketchbook dedicated to the project. Heavy weight paper is the best.

Your variations are due on the first day of Grade 9 IGCSE Art
in September. Good luck and have fun!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

#8 - Herr Silverbeard, his Silhouette

Sketchbook prep for Variation 8

The Silhouette was a form of portraiture that evolved in Europe in the 1700's. It is traditionally a profile portrait that is created by cutting paper. Real Silhouette artists are very adept at cutting fine detail into their portraits. My portrait of Herr Silverbeard is not quite as skilled, but it is still effective. I used black and ivory coloured papers. The picture here does not capture the texture very well, it looks flat, but in person, the papers create an added element to the overall image, the edges of the silhouette cast their own subtle shadow, giving it a multi-dimensional feel. It was tricky for me to cut a perfect oval, so, after several attempts I drew the oval frame using a fine ink pen.


Sharon Lacoste McDonagh, Herr Silverbeard, 2009
Cut Paper & Ink 10 x 10 cm