GIANT MR. BENHAM

After working in the style of Chuck Close for a couple weeks, my 4th bell students wanted to see if we could create a large picture of a person similar to how Chuck Close had. With further research regarding his work, the students found that Chuck Close had created some portraits using his thumb prints,.  The students decided to create a portrait using only thumb prints and with approximately 170 students from the the 7 classes we found an easy subject.

The Subject:

Mr. Benham - Photo taken by 4th bell student

Subject drawn on 5 ft. canvas 

Applying thumb prints 

Student working on thumbprint portrait

Subject and painting

Subject with values and no eyes

One eye was added and different values were added

Eyes were finally added - passing students were no longer scared of portrait

Even though the portrait isn't completed, every student from the 7 classes have placed their thumb print somewhere on the portrait.  Other thumb prints have been added by other teachers and any student that enters the class and asks, "Wow, what is that ?... Hey, it looks like you Mr. Benham!"

The students want to try and complete another large portrait before the end of the school year.