Artist Trading Cards
A.T.C. (Artist Trading Cards)
Artist Trading Cards are a fascinating pastime for a great number
of professional artists. The cards are made on thick paper and are
always 2-1/2" x 3-1/2", a size that fits into standard baseball card
storage sleeves. Each student must make at least 3 cards, each in
a different design and made using a variety of art materials.
Artist Trading Cards are
individual miniatures pieces of
art which are exchanged. It
started in Zurich, Switzerland,
in 1997, although modern ATC's
can be traced back to portrait
miniatures and to a kind of
business card popular with
Impressionistic artists (19thcentury). Artists have produced
miniatures for trade or selfpromotion in many eras and
places, and this current trend is
part of the larger art history
context.
There were few standard rules or
guidelines to Artist Trading Cards,
the only strict rule for these cards
is their 2.5 by 3.5 inch size.
There are, however, certain
conventions usually observed by
those who make and trade these
cards, such as the expectation that
they are to be traded not sold,
and that they be created as
unique works or small limited
editions of prints. Artists generally
sign and date the back, and may
also include a title and contact
information.
Check out these links for more ideas:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/artisttradingcards/
pool/page657/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/_atc_/pool/with/3
358728778/
Artist Trading Card Assignment:
Part One- Research an Artist
1. Students select one artist from the list of artists on our website (righthand bar).
2. Research your artist using the artist’s website, NOT GOOGLE IMAGE. One the back of card 1,
write down basic biography info about the artists life and death, including what media they
used when they worked. On the back of card 2, write down information about what was going on
in the larger world around that artist. Political changes, presidents, conflicts, famous
awards, sporting events, famous criminals, social changes….
4. One the front of card 1, recreate one of the artists works. It is fine to improvise and
use new materials. Any materials are fair game except for paint! Use magazines to collage,
sharpies to outline, and oil pastels for color and texture. You will be graded on how
thoughtfully your work resembles the artist’s work, and your attention to elements,
principles, and craftsmanship
5. On the front of card 2, create an original work of art based on a world event going on at
the time your artist lived. This needs to be created in the style of your artist, so take a
close look at what colors he/she is using, how much negative space, and if the person uses
mostly text, symbols, landscapes, or figures in their art.
Objectives:
•
The cards must be 2-1/2 x 3-1/2
•
They must be flat enough to fit into a plastic trading card sleeve.
•
They must be signed and dated on the back of the card.
•
Each student must make at least 2 cards, each in a different design and made using a at
least 2 different art materials.
•
These cards will be marked on your use of the elements of art and principles of design.
Students’ self assessment sheet will be part of the final grade.