Crazy Busy Art Room Art Prompt 35

It's time again for a mini art history prompt.  Today we will be learning about artist Rene Magritte and taking a closer look at his painting titled The False Mirror.

Artist Rene Magritte.  1898-1967.

The False Mirror by Artist Rene Magritte.  1929.

Magritte is a Belgian artist who was born in 1898.  Many people consider his work to be labeled as surrealism.  I often describe surrealism in art as paintings, drawings, or photographs that are strange or dream-like.  Magritte's artwork has been described as witty or thought provoking.  The False Mirror painted in 1929 is what we will be using for our inspiration today.  When you look at the painting ask yourself what makes this a surreal work of art?  What do you think the artist is trying to say in the painting?  Is this a painting you like?  Why or why not?  Remember it is ok to have different opinions about art.  That is why it is great to talk about what we see and what we feel when we look at an art piece.

Rene Magritte passed away in 1967.  He was 69 years old.

Supplies Needed:  paper, pencil, black marker, markers or crayons

I have posted photos of the steps, but I encourage you to read through the directions for any additional instruction or creative choices.

Step 1:  Create an arc in the center of your paper.  Make it large.  This will be the top of the eye.

Step 2:  Add a little bump to create the tear duct of the eye.

Step 3:  Add an arc to create the bottom of the eye.

Step 4:  Add a curved line above the eye to create the eyelid.

Step 5:  Draw a curve line near the bottom of the eye to show the rim of the bottom eyelid.

Step 6:  Draw 2 curved lines to create the iris in the eye.

Step 7:  Draw a circle in the center of the eye to create the pupil.

Step 8:  Outline the eye.  Color the pupil black.

Step 9:  Color around the outside of the eye.  I used a skin colored crayon and a bit of brown.  I looked at the Magritte's painting The False Mirror and blended the brown crayon to make darker areas to form the shadows.

Step 10:  Using your imagination to draw whatever you want in the iris.  This is completely up to you!  Be CREATIVE.  It can be a sunset or it could be a picture of you riding your bike.  It could be a birthday party or dinosaurs hanging out by a volcano.  I have posted a few more ideas that I found online.   This is the best part.  You get complete choice!

Step 11: Color your drawing.

My finished example.