Shadow Puppets

Professor Kim V Morin2010

1Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

What is a Shadow Puppet?

• One of the oldest forms of puppetry• Scholars guess that cavemen used shadows around

the fire to tell stories of the hunt and make them more exciting!

• Hand Shadows• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOZyMGPMPVU&feature=rel

ated

2Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

What is a Shadow Puppet?

• Here’s another example!

• What a Wonderful World performed by Raymond Crowe

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW-3KwXpkkM&feature=related

3Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

Traditional Shadow Puppets

• Shadow Puppets have evolved from shadows on the wall

• Flat figures held up and controlled by thin rods or sticks.

• Tiny cut-out shapes let bits of light through.

• Richard Bradshaw: Shadow Puppeteer• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNsJ6kDVbfk&feature=related

4Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

Why Use Shadow Puppets with Kids?

• Great Range of Visual Effects• Lower Cost / Simple Materials• Easier manipulation

o No arms held high for long periods of time!• Less construction time

Just draw and cut out!

• Where The Wild Things Are• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF-G0zvYOLU

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You can Even Use Your Whole Body!

• Pilobulus (from the Oscars)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX-DW8Qk4w&feature=relate

d

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Making Shadow Puppets

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPRjIIQsSAk

• From “Weekend Projects”

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Making Shadow Puppets from Gesture Drawings

• The implication of motion in a shape

• Quick sketch used to capture the movement or position of a figure.

This quick drawing captures the energy and movement of the subject. It does not necessarily have to be realistic. 8Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

Keith Haring - Artist

Ohne Titel 9Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

Keith Haring - Artist

Untitled

http://www.haringkids.com/master_art_flip.htm 10Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

Your Turn! “Action Drawing”

1.Practice drawing lines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQlIk2kxDb8&NR=1

– Draw “quick sketches” on paper – Fold paper into 6 rectangles– Draw 6 figures in “action”– Look at the following images for ideas

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Look at the Basic Lines

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More ideas!

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Draw your “Gesture” Puppet

• You will need:o 1 sheet white paper or tagboardo Pencil, crayon, or marker for drawingo 1 sheet colored paper (black or dark)o Scissors, glueo Stick (pencil, chopstick, etc)o Tape

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Draw your “Gesture” Puppet

• Draw “stick” action figure on white paper.o Figure must touch three sides of the paper!

• Use pencil or marker to “fill out” stick figure by drawing circles or swirls.

• Cut out figure.• Glue figure to black or dark paper and cut out

again• Attach stick with tape

15Copyright© Kim Morin 2010

A Shadow Puppet with Proportions

• Art Is.. Videos• Episode 4 Part 1- Proportions of the Body• Episode 4 Part 2 • Episode 4 Part 3

• More Advanced Techniques at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsKGCuwJDUI&feature=related

16Copyright© Kim Morin 2010