The use of a very unconventional medium as a classroom exercise in oil painting. Paintstik® colors are exceptional by nature; they are oil paint in stick form. They dry in 24 hours and can be used on any surface except glass. Paint on paper, canvas, metal, fabric and other surfaces. They are nontoxic, permanent and easily cleaned from hands and brushes with soap and water. Shoes are the subject of our paintings in the project. Students are free to work on all surfaces of their subject. A gallery presentation with titles and poems is a nice finishing touch. Shoes can also be traced in historical terms.

Grade Levels

5–12

Objectives

• Students will learn learn basic oil painting techniques including blending and mixing colors on a surface
• Students will plan a design that functions on a 3-dimensional surface, with various planes and viewpoints
• Students will recognize that everyday objects can be used for the creation of fine art
• Students will address the problems of painting on each unique and individual shoe surface (straps, laces, heels, etc) and integrate these components to make the artwork function as a whole

Preparation

Shoes do not need to be primed or sealed. Use any type of shoe - vinyl, leather, suede, cotton - and any color. Surface should be clean and free of dirt. You may wish to cover work surface - once dry, Paintstiks are hard to remove.

Procedure

1. Carefully remove the dry film around the Paintstik‚ tip and about 1/2 inch down. Use a knife to gently score the surface and peel off film or rub the Paintstik on a piece of scratch paper to work off the film and expose the paint.
2. Paintstik colors can be applied directly, like a pastel or brushed on. To use a brush, either apply to color to the shoe and move it around or spread the color out in a small swatch on a piece of scratch paper and pick it up with the brush as you would with regular oil paint. Medium, such as Quick Dry Medium, will help extend the Paintstik enough to make glazes or very fine details. You may use any oil painting medium with Paintstiks, but drying time will be extended. use a stiff brush for background. Blend with gloved fingers or scrape back into a painted area to add texture. Use knife, fingernails (gloved), scratch tool or other Paintstik colors.
3. Clean brushes in soap and water immediately after use. Paint will dry in approximately 24 hours. Thickness of paint and humidity may vary the exact time. Because Painstiks are oil color with a wax binder, they are extremely durable when dry.

Cultural/Historical Relativity

• Refer to historical examples of shoes as fashion statements and as functional objects.
• Link this project to historical studies: "Design a pair of shoes for________" artist, musician, author

Variations

• Use stencils to make “Airbrush” effects
• Use with other oil paints, drying time will be extended unless Quick Dry Medium is used
• Paintstiks are extremely beautiful on paper or canvas. Colors will dry permanently without sealers or fixatives (not compatible with oil pastels).
• Use Paintstiks on wood or ceramics, any sculpture indoors and outdoors.
• Paintstiks make wonderful fabric colors. Pre-wash fabric to remove sizing. Paint, allow to dry, then toss in clothes dryer on permanent press 20 minutes to set. Wash and dry over and over as needed. Paint remains soft and bright.
• Painstiks are perfect for painting murals because they're easy to apply and extremely durable

Topics for Discussion

1. Shoes, while being a completely functional part of a person's wardrobe, can be highly decorative and viewed as an accessory. Discuss our societies' emphasis on shoes and support with advertisements and catalogs.
2. What is the difference in value - aesthetic and perceived monetary - between a painting on a canvas and a painting on another surface, such as this?
3. Can you think of other ways that we wear art?

National Standards

Content Standard #1 — Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes

5-8 Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques and processes to enhance communication of their experience and ideas.

9-12 Students apply media, techniques and processes with sufficient skill, confidence and sensitivity that their intentions are carried out in their artworks

Content Standard #4 — Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and culture

5-8 Students know and compare the characteristics of artworks in various eras and cultures

9-12 Students differentiate among a variety of historical and cultural contexts in terms of characteristics and purposes of works of art