Pablo Picasso
's techniques can be taught to students of all ages.
Pablo Picasso was born in 1881 in Spain. He began a promising art career at an early age. He attended art school, but was largely taught by his father, Jose Ruiz Blasco, who was also an artist and teacher. Pablo Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is remain an artist once he grows up." We get a sense that Picasso felt anyone is capable of being an artist. Art lessons based on the work of Pablo Picasso can be used to teach students at any level.
Study and Learn from Picasso's Artwork
Pablo Picasso greatly influenced art as we know it today. Picasso used a variety of media in his work and his style changed during different "periods." We can get an idea of who Pablo Picasso was and what his art looks like during his "blue," "rose" and other periods by reading books about his life. Many of his works can be viewed online. Much of his work is on permanent exhibit in Paris, but American museums often have special exhibits of Picasso's famous artwork.
Picasso's Cubist Period
Picasso is best known for pioneering cubism; a revolutionary form of modern art that replaced natural forms with geometric shapes. Artists of any age can create cubist artwork by transforming facial features into abstract shapes. Look at Picasso's "Three Musicians" and "Girl With a Mandolin" to get an idea of how Picasso used abstract shape, shading and juxtaposition to recreate human form.
Abstract Portraits
Even young students can create abstract art.
Picasso often painted portraits of himself and others. Young students can accomplish this by looking in a mirror and sketching two separate self-portraits in pencil on paper. Cutting the portraits in squares, rectangles and triangles and reconstructing the pieces on canvas or paper will resemble Picasso's art. Older students can sketch the abstract shapes directly on paper or canvas. A helpful reference is Picasso's "Dora Maar", which shows his dramatic use of color and style to convey feeling.
Adding Dimension to Artwork
In later years, Picasso added a variety of elements to his paintings. For example, "Still Life With Chair Caning" was a collage of oilcloth, paper and rope. Picasso created "Guitar" by gluing newspaper, pastel papers and adding pen and ink. Today's artists can accomplish this by creating a collage of torn newspaper, magazine clippings and three-dimensional objects to canvas. Experimenting, just as Picasso did, will produce original works of art.
