Discover the differences between Realism and Stylization in art, and show off your own unique style!

• 1.

  Some artists are very skilled at capturing every subtle detail in an image, so the subject of the artwork looks almost as it does in real life. This type of art is known as realism. You have probably seen portraits like this before. The less something looks as it does in real life, the more stylized it becomes. This type of art is called stylization or abstract art. Cartoon and comics are like this! Find examples of each with your class and discuss the differences.

• 2.

  Beginning artists often find stylization as a way to learn not only drawing, but seeing as well. To stylize an object, you simplify it into its most basic elements of shape, line, and color. To look at something and draw simple shapes that make up that object might be less intimidating than drawing the object as a whole. Try this technique with your class to create your own abstract drawings!

• 3.

  Select an item from the classroom to draw or bring one in from home. Study the object and imagine what simple shapes could form it. For example, if you’re looking at a baseball cap, you might think of it as a half circle with a long, thin oval attached to it!

• 4.

  Lightly sketch your object with Crayola® Colored Pencils by starting with the simple shapes that make it up. Next, erase the overlapping lines, and give your object a defined edge by outlining it with Crayola Classic Markers. Embellish your stylized drawing with other thick and thin lines and shapes to add detail.

• 5.

  Fill in your object with bright colors. Give it a thick outline and dark background to really make it pop!

Benefits

• Students define Realism and Stylization in terms of art.
• Students research examples of realistic and stylized artworks.
• Students compare and contrast the examples of realistic and stylized art.
• Students discover the simple shapes that combine to form objects they observe.
• Students produce an abstract work of art based an object.

Adaptations

• Create a series of abstract drawings based on the same subject, like a flower for example. Display all the drawings together just like in a gallery show. Invent a catchy title or slogan for the display!
• Younger students or those with special needs may benefit from comparing 3D objects and shapes in their hands. Provide spheres, cubes, cylinders, pyramids, and cones for them to hold next to their objects while drawing.
• Share your artwork with the class. Review each other’s drawings and discuss the abstract or stylized features in each.