The painting and the story of how Michelangelo created this painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel never cease to amaze and inspire. It is quite interesting to know the details of the history and constitution of that creation, in the state of affairs, dedication and time spent.
Tell the children how long it took, what was needed in this picture, how old it is now and so on.
They show pictures of different parts of the painting and the whole building from the inside. So they can see where the paintings are. It will put them in perspective.
The most prominent features of this painting are the hand of man reaching for the hand of God. This time he was unlucky. The power in that one scene is unquestionable, and this is the image of the boy drawing, so in the explanation, focus on the hands of the Sistine Chapel. Ask what those hands are doing, what they want, and what they see.
Children are known for their short attention spans and the idea of spending years to make one picture is an attention grabber for children. They will wonder what they got into this creature.
To give them a little ideas of what they need to paint their back, this tutorial is perfect. Some artists show that they are going to paint one of their masterpieces. This is somewhat different than what I would draw them to do, but it will give them a sense of what it was like to paint Michael on his back for such an extended period of time.
Required comments:
white paper
Masking tape or packing tape to tie the paper to the drawing surface
Colored pencils or crayons (If you don’t mind the mess, you can also try pictures for this purpose, to give them more meaning)
Several tables or a desk with all the chairs pulled out so that children can be under them.
Instructions:
Tape one piece of paper, for each participating child, under the desks or tables. If you have a defined table space, just children have created their own masterpieces Sistine.
Then, after showing the pictures of the hands on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, they laid each child on their back with colored pencils or crayons. Then instruct them to stretch their hands and pull. They can digest as they like. It is not a competition for the best art. It is partly to experience what Michelangelo’s creation of the Sistine Chapel was like and to recognize his mastery. You can also make one yourself with a child or children.
After everything is done, collect the pictures they have created and ask them what it feels like to draw that one. Ask them how they feel about Michael Angelus, and why.
Then if you show your art space with the model of God and man, which Michelangelo created in the Sistine Chapel.
One word of caution with this technique. So be aware that Michelangelo’s original paintings in the Sistine Chapel depict some nudity. Either you are allowed to show this work of art to students or use appropriate measures to cover the parts. a table that may seem inappropriate to some parents, before showing children the painted images of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo.
