Making Art from Numbers
Lesson Submitted by: Ken Rohrer, University of Phoenix Faculty
Integration of Math and Art
Lesson: Number Art / ASCII Art
Grade level: 4 - 8
Introduction
Some artists have used numbers in their art. Artists such as Charles Demuth andJasper Johns
use large numbers in several of their paintings. ASCII artists also use numbers to create their pictures. There is another way to use numbers. You can use numbers to create geometric shapes and other designs. See the examples below.
Procedure
Some mathematical equations create symmetry and repetition. If you multiply a number by eight and multiply and add numbers in increments, you get an interesting answer (see above top). As you add more numbers, the shape becomes triangular and the numbers repeat themselves. There are several other number shapes that can be created (see below). You can have students solve the problems themselves to create the shapes or you can simply show these examples on a white board or overhead.
After students practice with the problems for a time, tell them that they are going to take those same problems to create a geometric work of art. Only numbers may be used in creating the art. They don't necessarily need to have only the problems above. A rectangle could include all 0's for example.
12 x 8 + 2= 98
123 x 8 + 3= 987
1234 x 8 + 4= 9876
12345 x 8 + 5= 98765
123456 x 8 + 6= 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7= 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8= 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9= 987654321
1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888
1=1
1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
You can also use some ASCII characters along with the numbers if need be to add details such as the fish below. Review some of the ASCII pictures on the Scarecrow if you have time. It is up to the teacher if students stick strictly with geometric shapes.
Students will then lightly draw their numbers on their 18" x 24" (45.7 x 61 cm) paper with a pencil. Once they are sure they have the design they want, they may then color over the lines with either thin tipped markers or colored pencils. This lesson can also coincide with a lesson on pattern and repetition in art.
An example of what the finished product might look like is below:
Materials
18" x 24" (46 x 61 cm) white Drawing Paper
Resources
Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition (Archive) - Kimberly Elam takes the reader on a geometrical journey, lending insight and coherence to the design process by exploring the visual relationships that have foundations in mathematics as well as the essential qualities of life.
Drawing With Letters and Numbers - Helps kids realize how easy it can be to turn a few simple lines into recognizable figures and images.
Drawing With Numbers and Letters
- This book instructs you step-by-step through some stylized drawings of animals using simple letter and number shapes.
Links
Introducing Children to Numbers- A blog that tells how to have activities that help children with number recognition.
Pop Art Machine- This page has art with the number "7."
Blue Creek Home (Archive) - This blog shows how number art adorns a house.
Beautiful Numbers- An art lesson by Kinder Art.