Doodles to Design: Gilliam's Improvisations
Like to doodle and improvise? Explore color field painting in the style of African American artist Sam Gilliam.
1. Sam Gilliam is a contemporary African American artist who has become well known for his large-scale, abstract paintings. Although he was born on November 30, 1933, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Gilliam lives in Washington, D.C., where he operates a large studio in the city's historic Shaw district. He has received many awards for his work and is exhibited extensively.
2. Gilliam received a B.A. in Fine Art, and a M.A. in Painting from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He includes other objects in his work, ranging from computer-generated images to steel. His art, which uses form, design, color, and scale in improvisational paintings, relies heavily on the principles of design. Although they are abstract works (having no recognizable subject matter other than the colors and shapes mentioned), they are active, harmonic, and decorative because of their strong composition (see The Power of Love, 1993).
3. To create an abstract painting using Gilliam's method of combining colors, shapes, and design, first use Crayola® Markers to doodle on white paper. Fill your paper with colors, shapes, and lines. Design everything to be unrecognizable.
4. Use Crayola Scissors to cut out your favorite part of the doodle. Which area of your doodle has the most compelling composition? The section you cut out should stand alone, be interesting and colorful, and cover the entire section you cut away.
5. Cover a table with recycled newspaper. Use Crayola Tempera Paints and Paint Brushes to reproduce the section you chose on a larger sheet of paper. Paint the shapes, colors, and lines you drew earlier. Cover your entire sheet. Dry.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Try several different color combinations, using the same original doodle as your beginning pattern. How does color affect the overall look of your final painting? Choose your favorite painting, and explain why you like those colors the best.
- Cut several colors of construction paper into a variety of shapes. Glue down the shapes in an interesting composition, then paint over them so some of the paper shapes to show through. Add collage materials to your composition.
- Research the lives and work of other African American artists, poets, and writers. What connections can you find among their lives and work?
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