Michelangelo Reproduction

Creating reproductions of great works of art is a great way to shape the artistic style of a young artist. This reproduction of a detail from the great painting, Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo, is made easier by using a printable grid. Ages 9 and up.

Supplies:

• Speckled art paper or tinted pastel paper
• Charcoal pencil or brown conte crayon
• White pastel
• #2 pencil
• Photo of Creation of Adam detail
• Printed grid

Directions:

1. Use the photo with the grid as a reference to sketch the shapes of the two hands into the blank grid. (Using the picture on the right may help to see the lines.)
2. Now draw the shapes of the shadows, as shown.
3. Transfer the design to the good paper. (See note below.)
4. Fill in the shaded areas lightly with charcoal or conte crayon and smudge with your finger or a blending stump. Fill in the light parts with the white pastel and smudge. Outline the hands with the charcoal or the conte crayon.

How to transfer a design:

1. Blacken the back of the grid paper with a #2 pencil. Color it all in thoroughly and rub lightly with a tissue.
2. Tape the grid paper (blackened side down) onto the good drawing paper.
3. Pressing hard, draw over all of the lines that you originally drew. This will transfer it to the good paper.
4. Discard the grid paper.
5. Erase any smudges on the good paper.

© Karine Bauch 2007. All rights reserved.

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