Welcome to the toolkit called Explore Yourself！

Think about a question

If you are an artist, how can you create artwork with your hands?

Let’s create now

1 Think about the question.(10s)

2 Read the introduction of the toolkit and learn the important role of hands in art practices. (30s)

Our ancestors made representations of themselves on the rocky surfaces of caves by their handprints such as in the case of La Cueva de las Manos.

(https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/la-cueva-de-las-manos-cave-of-hands)

In the contemporary art world, people’s hands are used as a complex biological system able to perform numerous tasks with impressive accuracy and dexterity. Artists used their hands as tools to create artwork. For example, Iris Scott uses fingers to paint instead of pens.

(https://www.irisscottfineart.com/paintings)

Hands are used in different approaches. For example, some people use hands as creative themes. But in other people’s perspective, hands are considered as a tool to create. Therefore, we can discover that hands play a significant role in art practices. The toolkit is an open resource that encourages learners who have not studied art before to create artwork using their hands as a stencil.

3  Use the toolkit

(1) Conceive own artistic creations

Learners begin to try using this toolkit after they understand the function of hands in art practices. The toolkit encourages learners to create artwork using their hands as a stencil. Everyone can participate using the toolkit. They have the right to create artwork freely without limitations. Thus, learners can think about their own artistic creations such as themes, forms, and so on. (30s)

(2) Choose materials 

Learners can choose various materials to complete artwork. They can use the materials I provide such as colored papers, felt tip pens, chenille stems, and so on. Or learners can choose to use the materials they already have. However, notably, the quantity of materials used will be limited.  The maximum of materials learners can select is three. (30s)

(3)  Create artwork with hands as a stencil by accomplishing diverse tasks.

• Task 1  Learners should choose a finger and change the knuckle of it to paint. (2 min)
  

• Task 2 Learners create artwork using two fingers as a stencil. (3 min)
• Task 3 Learners are encouraged to create artwork using at least three fingers. (5 min)  For example, learners can select a few fingers as creative elements at first. Then change the angle or direction of the fingers.

(4)Exchange and recreate (5 min)

Learners should exchange all artwork created at the last step with others. And they can choose one artwork from others that they are interested in most to recreate. Like adding more figures, or decorating others ‘ artwork with different materials.

Learners can share artwork that they recreate and view their artwork recreated by others. They can communicate with others about the artwork instantly. Or they can exhibit the artwork on social media. For example, learners can publish on Instagram with the tag “Explore Yourself”. Learners can record their ideas when they post artwork. They can consider self-assessment when they look back at their previous art creations. Other learners can also comment on others and receive peer feedback from other learners at the same time. Learners can gain feedback like real artists.

Requirement of learners

There is no strict skill requirement in this toolkit. Learners can prepare some tools for participating in it. For example, they can collect various materials like paper, cloth, markers, oil pastels, watercolour pens, and so on. However, they can use materials or tools they already have to create.

Target population

This toolkit is suitable for non-artist people who have not learned about art knowledge but are interested in art creations. Everyone can use the toolkit whether they have a solid foundation in art.

The aim of learning

Firstly, using people’s hands as a stencil in creating artwork broadens the themes of art creation. Learners use their bodies as themes of art creation. Everyone has opportunities to be the main character in art practices even though he or she is not an artist.

Besides, I hope the toolkit can promote art education as a kind of homeschooling. Communication plays an important role in family life. Learners can do artistic activities like the toolkit provides to boost communication among family members. Integrate this toolkit into people’s daily family life, such as using this toolkit after dinner to promote communication between them and form a harmonious family atmosphere.

Last but not least, this toolkit will play different roles for learners of different groups. For the elderly, they can paint by using their hands as a stencil. It can promote their physical and mental activities to prevent the degeneration of their bodies and minds. For young people, the toolkit can allow them to temporarily stay away from the virtual online world and encourage them to use physical material to create visual artwork. For children, the toolkit offers a platform for them to create with their imagination and stimulate interest in art learning.

Feedback

Learner evaluations are very important to me. Look forward to your comments！