CARTOON CHAIN FACES
This fun and simple project will provide students with the hands on skills they need
to create many caricature expressions in an amusing and artistic fashion.
SUPPLIES
Heavy Stock – For example Bristol board, card stock or even watercolor paper for those who may want to add color
to their final illustration (this is optional).
The size of the paper will vary depending on what size you would like the finished art to be, but a good recommended
size to work with is 5.5” wide and 3.5” high (index card size).
Black Marker (brush tip markers work better and allow for the use of thick and thin lines).
Paper Clip or Pin (used to put 2 holes in the card stock, note - teacher supervision and/or help may be required).
Chain (inexpensive chain cut slightly longer than the length of the caricature drawn, this will vary with the size of the
illustration created, even old recycled jewelry chains will work) A good recommended size for a 5.5” X 3.5” illustration
is 6 inches in chain length.
Tape – most any type of tape will work, this is used to hold the chain on the back of the art and will not be seen.
Scissors (may be used to cut the chain to the appropriate length)
OPTIONAL
Pencil (this is optional but it helps many students to do a pencil sketch first before going right to marker).
Mat Board (this is optional but it can be used to frame final piece if desired).
INSTRUCTIONS
1) Start with a precut piece of heavy stock (approximately 5.5” X 3.5” index size)
2) Sketch a side view of a cartoon face leaving off part of the forehead, nose and chin. Students may sketch with a
pencil, or they can draw directly on the paper with marker, depending on the comfort level of each individual.
(Some of my students have also drawn fictional animals and mythological creatures like dragons)
If using a pencil sketch go over the pencil outline with a black marker, this will create better contrast. A brush tip
marker works well in creating thick and thin lines.
3) Using a pin or paper clip, poke a hole near the top of where the forehead would be and another hole near the
bottom of where the chin might be in the drawing.
4) Cut a piece of chain that reaches from the top hole to the bottom hole and add some extra length for taping extra
chain length to the back of the card stock, keeping the chain very loose on the front of the card stock.
5) Put one end of the chain through the top hole and tape it in place on the back of the heavy stock.
Put the other end of the chain through the bottom hole and tape it on the back side of the card.
TAH –DAH! You have now finished making a cartoon chain face. Take the card and move it around and watch the
chain create many different facial images.
Extensions
You may want to capture the images in the form of another drawing or take pictures of them to create a sort of
animated flip book effect. Pictures can also be taken of the chain faces and computer animations may be created on
the computer.
Secret
For display purpose a strong magnet may be glued to the back of the card stock so the images can be displayed
upright and students can move the chain around with their finger on the wall art.
SAMPLES OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL CHAIN FACE CARICATURES
Debra Cline – Lesson Plan – Manatee School for the Arts
Class
2016 FAEA Conference –
Presenters: Debra Cline and Melissa Aldan
Lesson Title
Amazing Faces
Objectives/Goals
Share a lesson with peer teachers from across the state.
• Network creative ideas through peer interaction and enhance critical
thinking skills.
• Use of a variety of materials to create a mixed media project
• Critical Thinking
• Infusion of the multiple intelligences including visual spatial and tactile
skills.
National Core Arts
Standards
CREATING: Conceiving and developing new ideas and artwork
PERFORMING/PRESENTING/PRODUCING: Interpreting and sharing artistic work
with others, peer critiques, and self-reflection of art
RESPONDING: Understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning
CONNECTING: Relating artistic ideas and work with personal meaning
Skill/Technique/
Method/
Guided &
Independent
Practice
Assessment
Vocabulary
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Informative and reflective interaction among peers
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Reference
Give handouts outlining step-by-step instructions
Pass out materials for making cartoon chain faces
Model construction of cartoon chain face for class
Offer suggestions and alternative methods of construction
Provide different samples of chain face caricatures
Students may independently or as a group
Caricature – Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary tells us that the word caricature
comes from the Italian caricare: exaggeration by means of distortion of
parts or characteristics.
Design – art showing the look and/or function of an image
Assemble – to put together
Medium – art supplies/materials used to create art
Characteristics – features
Shape – outline of an object
Reference:
http://www.heeza.fr/fr/172-jeux-jouets-jouets-creatifs
http://www.aboutfacesentertainment.com/pages/caricature-history.html
http://art-now-and-then.blogspot.com/2014/06/artists-who-did-caricatures.html
http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/caricatures/fr7-artists/
Materials/ Electronic
Media
Materials:
•Heavy Paper Stock
•Black Pen
•Tape
• Paper Clip or pin to pierce a hole in the paper
• Small piece of chain
• OPTIONAL: Coloring Material
•OPTIONAL: Original art may be created using computer art and photos
Interdisciplinary Subjects
History: Making connections with different caricature artists from various time
periods and cultures backgrounds.
Science: Resistance of matter and motion
Language arts: Using words both visually and verbally
Math: Proportions
ESOL and ESE Strategies
Illustrations and finished examples are provided for the students
Written directions are passed out to students, multi-lingual dictionary is made available to students
Verbal directions are incorporated in modeling the lesson to the student
By walking around and observing, students who need help can ask for help easily
Hands on activities
Peer teaching and support
Accommodations
Accommodations: Allow extra time, visual aids, and board notes, shorter segment presentations, alternative
assignments, preferential seating, minimize distractions. Encourage independence, completion, attendance, make
up. Check for comprehension, elicit responses. Redirection, help with transitions, peer assistance. Organizational
skills, encouragement, praise, positive reinforcement. Assist with social interactions.
Shaking the paper allows the chain to move freely forming a variety of different character expressions.