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Drawing like Charles Demuth
Charles Demuth is best known for his painting Figure 5 in Gold, which was inspired by William Carlos Williams’s poem The Great Figure. In this art project, students will use Demuth’s idea of breaking an image into smaller shapes to create something that feels modern, bold, and brand new.
Having students “dissect” a large number with lots of intersecting lines—and then color in all the enclosed shapes—has been a popular classroom idea for years. To make it easier (and a lot more flexible), I created a few new tools that give students more options.
To start, students can learn how to draw a “fancy” number 5, similar to the one Demuth used in his famous painting. There’s a step-by-step tutorial for that. But if your class wants to use a different number—maybe someone just turned 8, or you want to highlight a grade level—there’s also a sample sheet that helps students create any number they’d like. Of course, simple block numbers would work, but adding a few decorative touches makes them feel more like the original inspiration.
When it comes to coloring, this project is perfect for teaching warm and cool colors or introducing the idea of camouflage. High-contrast colors will make the number pop and stand out, while low-contrast colors will help it blend in and “hide” within the design.
William Carlos Williams’ Poem
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city— WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS
Preview of the Demuth Step by Step Tutorial
Preview of the Fancy Numbers Tutorial
Demuth Coloring Page
Demuth No. 5 Painting Coloring Page
Materials
Watercolor Painting Materials
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Watercolor Paper*
Pan Watercolor Paint*
Rounded Paintbrush
Directions
Time needed: 50 minutes
A Charles Demuth Art Project
- Start the top of the number five as shown.
- Continue down at an angle.
- Draw the large circle shape.
- Add the round tip.
- Continue the inside curve as shown.
- Connect the ends at a slight angle.
- Use a ruler to draw three dissecting lines.
- Add three more lines from the other direction.
- Trace with a marker and color.
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