Painter's Tape Window Design

Lesson Plan: "Blue!"
Submitted by: Stephen Watson, at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
for ART 130: Design I (2D), Summer 2013
Inspired by the painter's tape artworks of Tony Feher.

 

Detail, Student Work, Joshua, Summer 2013

 

DESCRIPTION:
Create a design on a window using blue painter's tape.

 

OBJECTIVES:
Use the full value range of a the color blue.
Overcome the challenges of creating a large-scale artwork.
Use texture, pattern, harmony, and unity in a successful way.
Be resourceful and creative when encountering limitations of art materials and tools.
Observe the effectiveness of a 2D design to transform an entire area.
Use light as as part of your design.

 

IMPLEMENTATION:
Materials and Tools:
Four or five rolls of 3M Scotch Blue (Painter's) Tape. (You can use original, medium adhesion, or multi-surface.
Obtain a variety of tape widths. On the first day, start with one thin and one thick roll. Use a variety of roll widths to finish the design of your window.
Do not buy off-brand painter's tape or 3M tape with decals all over it.
X-acto Knives or Box Cutter, Sharp Scissors
Ladder or Stepstool (for window height)
Optional: Rulersor Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl 70%)

 

 

Duration:
Four to five full-length class sessions, plus out-of-class time if needed.

 

Instructions:

You must cover 100% of the glass of your chosen window with blue tape. You should see no sunlight get through on your window when you're finished. Your design should be very abstract and decorative. You should use a variety of lines, textures, values, patterns, and shapes.

 

You may not use any symbols. (Smiley faces, hearts, Yin Yangs, stars, peace signs, etc.)

You may not use any letters, numbers or words.

You may not make your design representational of any images. (Cartoons, company logos, etc.)

You may not have a narrative design that tells some kind of story.

You must use a design consisting of a full range of blue values from lightest to darkest.

You must have a harmonious and unified design where dissimilar and similar components work together.

You must have a design that combines individual parts into a singular idea. Take into account individual panes of glass if your window is divided.
Your finished design should have any tape outside of the window pane(s). No tape should be visible outside of the glass. Use a knife to trim off any excessive tape from the edges of the glass.

If your scissors start accumulating tape adhesive around the blades, use rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to clean them.

Be open to changing your design as it develops. You may restart or change directions of the tape as much as you need.

Painter's tape can be easily removed. Use this to your advantage as your design appears.

 

Student Examples:

 

      

Student Work by Ariel                                                           Student Work by Ayana

 

      

 

Student Work by Joy                                                        Student Work by Victoria

Questions to ask:
Did you accidentally discover anything while working on your final design?
Was it difficult for you to make "abstract art?"
What does the temporality of your design (short life) teach you about contemporary art?