Mine the Work of Franz Kline
Study how abstract artist Franz Kline's coal region roots inspired his art then create your own original industrial drawings.
1. Franz Kline was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on May 23, 1910. He grew up among sights associated with coal mining: dark, barren landscapes, industrial buildings, stark vistas. Kline typically sketched on telephone book pages. He once had the opportunity to see his work projected on a wall, and to observe the strength of the abstract shapes that he saw in his industrial drawings. From then on, his work became almost exclusively abstract.
2. Kline eventually moved to New York City, and was closely associated with important artists of the abstract expressionist movement. In his later years, Kline tried to reintroduce color into his work. Most of his art was black and white with small undercurrents of color. He painted with inexpensive house paints on unstretched canvas, in large, bold, abstract strokes. Study the similarities in his small- and large-scale creations.
3. To create an abstract painting in Kline's manner, begin by sketching a building or piece of machinery with Crayola® Colored Pencils. Use strong lines and no shading.
4. If you have access to an overhead projector, trace your drawing on a transparency with Crayola Markers, then project the image onto a large sheet of colored paper taped to the wall with masking tape. Trace your drawing with colored pencils. OR choose a section of your drawing that has interesting forms. Lightly redraw the lines on a large piece of colored paper with a colored pencil.
5. Cover a table with recycled newspaper. Use a wide sponge brush and black Crayola Tempera Paint to paint the lines. Dry.
6. Use a second sponge brush to paint in the areas surrounding the lines with white tempera. Be bold and expressive; leave some areas blank. 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.
Sponges and Foam—Sponges, foam, and other expandable materials should not be used with children 3 years old and younger.
- Interview a coal miner or tour a coal mine. Look at pictures of coal-mining regions such as the one where Franz Kline grew up. Create several line drawings of buildings or industrial equipment. Create an abstract expressionist painting with the kinds of sights that Kline might have seen.
- Make a group of miniature Kline-like drawings with a viewfinder. Cut a small window from a square of construction paper. Place this window over a drawing you have made. Use tracing paper to trace the lines that you see. Cut out your tracing. Repeat this process several times with other parts of your drawing, then compare your selections. Use the strongest one to make a larger painting in the manner of Franz Kline.
- Study the history and status of coal mining. In what areas of the world has coal been found? What are the types of coal? For what has coal been used? What mining and transportation techniques have been, and are, used? What are the benefits and limitations of burning coal? How does the energy efficiency of coal compare to other fuels for heating and generating electricity?
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