Shapes in Space

Inspired by Fernand Leger’s Untitled

Fernand Léger (France, 1881 - 1955), Untitled, 1937, oil on canvas, 25 5/8 x 36 7/8 inches. Bequest of Ellen Hunt Harrison, 1996.8.14.

Materials Needed

• Colored paper (tip: if you don’t have colored paper, you can use paint or markers to color white paper)

• Scissors

• Glue or tape (OPTIONAL)

• Plain paper for “finished product” (OPTIONAL)

Prepare

• Cut the colored paper into a variety of shapes (triangles, circles, squares, lines, squiggles, etc.)

• TIP: if you need shape inspiration, check out Leger’s painting!

Instructions

• Look closely at the painting above

• · Ask:

  • What shapes do you see?

  • What do the shapes remind you of?

  • This painting is untitled, if you could give it a title, what would you title it?

• Play:

  • Use the colored shapes that you cut out earlier to create your own composition inspired by Léger’s.

  • Think about how to layer shapes so that you create a sense of space. How will you create movement through your composition?

• OPTIONAL:

  • When you have a composition that you feel good about, tape or glue the shapes down onto your plain paper

  • Share with us! Show us your Léger inspired compositions by tagging us on Instagram.

  • Share with someone else, either in person or snap a photo and send it to someone!