Mrs. Crump's 8th Art II- Keith Herring Figures

KEITH HERRING STYROFOAM FIGURES

Keith Herring was a recognized modern street artist in New York City. He began drawing at a young age and found his love for cartooning from his father. Herring died in 1990 from AIDS related complication. For his complete biography visit this link:  http://www.haring.com/about_haring/bio/index.html

As a class we learned about the history of Keith Herring. Students studied the concept and common themes of his figures. 

Then students used the important aspects of the figures to inspire their creation. They had three important directions to follow.

1. Figures should resemble Keith herring's artistic style

2. Figures need to be doing an action.

3. Finish figures with bright colors just as Keith Herring would use. 

Students started by drawing their individual design onto a piece of styrofoam. Then they cut out their figure with a styrofoam cutter. The wire on the cutter is heated and cuts through the styrofoam like butter. Coolest tool I've ever seen. It creates limited mess. 

Once the figure is cut out students paint their figures using bright colors. 

 When students have completed the painting process they construct their figures using toothpicks and glue as support. Although the result is fragile. The students end products were inventive and reminiscent of Keith Herrings artistic style.