Eric Carle Collage Project

Caitlyn, Pre-K

Many thanks to Katie Gonzalez, art teacher at Briargrove Elementary, for some inspiration on this project! This artwork is in preparation for a literacy festival celebrating author Eric Carle on October 8, 2009.

To start this project, we examined several books by artist and author Eric Carle and observed that his illustrations looked different from other illustrations by other artists. We wanted to know how Eric Carle creates these images. Students observed that his work looked "bumpy," "rough," "painted," and "patterned." We then discussed the images and learned that texture (the quality of the image's surface or feel, which can be seen and also felt) and pattern (a design that repeats) are two art elements that Eric Carle uses to create the illustrations. We also learned that he paints large sheets of paper using non-traditional tools to create the textures and then cuts them apart to make a collage, which is made up by cutting and gluing shapes to create an image.

Students collaborated on one large sheet per four students and added marks and textures and patterns using things like plasticware (forks, knives, spoons), lids, foil, wax paper, straws and other texturizing tools to create a surface. Some students had warmer colors, some had cool, and some had a combination of both. Here are some examples of the larger finished paintings:

The collaborations (paintings) were then dried and cut into pieces to create a collage image of an animal during their next visit to the art room. Click on images to see close-ups of the textured surfaces!

Students from Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

Students from 3rd through 5th Grade