“How can we create an image with powerful symbolic meaning that also represents our own identity?”
"Romantic Agony" by Sinthia Cousineau
"Rising Pheonix" by Sinthia Cousineau
My designs of symbolic tattoos"
Rationale
An image can have a thousand words, and most images have a meaning behind them. This lesson will explore the concept of meaningful messages by exploring the history of tattoo art and how tattoos have always held various symbolic meaning. For example most tattoo images first began with spiritual meaning. They could also be used to help remember loved ones and to mark a certain status within a social group. Today the most common reason for why people get tattoos is as a means of communicating a symbolic message of their own identity. This lesson does not aim to encourage getting tattoos but rather how tattoo arts are known for their designs of images that hold high symbolic value. To each person an image could represent something unique. Through the use of symbolism an image can represent ones identity.
This lesson will focus on the creation of several meaningful images to represent a tattoo design reflecting one’s own identity using various symbolic elements. This lesson will focus also on the transformative process of drawing and the evolution of an image through the use of various techniques. By first designing an idea with a basic sketch, then applying calligraphy techniques to “ink” the drawing, and finishing by including values through watercolor painting students will produce an image that holds strong symbolic value to them. Then using this image student will explore the tribal drawing technique to transform their design into a tribal tattoo. This lesson is important for it shows that even a simple image could hold strong symbolic importance to a person and that they could be used as a valuable tool of showing a visual for one’s own identity.
Lesson Objectives
To understand the symbolism behind an image.
Learn about the history of tattoos as a form of art.
To learn how tattoo art can be used as a form of activism to heal people.
To connect your identity with a symbolic image representing a meaningful aspect of yourself.
Materials
For Students
Calligraphy Pen and nibs
India Ink or other calligraphy ink
Drawing pens
Paper suitable for ink
Watercolor paper
HB pencils
Water color pencils or paint
Smudge sticks
Eraser or eraser pens
Teaching materials for Art Educator
Prototype of a watercolor symbolic tattoo design
PowerPoint on tattoo history
PowerPoints on images with meaning
Access to internet
Access to smartboard
Prototype presentation board with the different steps of the project