ROMANESQUE CASTLE RELIEF

Castles were common in Europe during the Romanesque period. The ridged geometric pattern along the top of a castle is called a battlement. Can you guess what battlements were used for?

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

You will design a castle of your own. You will create a relief of your castle using heavy cord and aluminum foil. Focus on the use of line to highlight the different features of your castle. Use the element of line to add harmony to your design. Your castle should look strong and safe.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Pencil and notepad
• Sheets of sketch paper
• Sheet of cardboard, 12 × 18 inches (30 × 45 cm)
• Scissors, tape, and heavy wrapping cord
• White glue
• Sheet of aluminum foil, 16 × 20 inches (41 × 50 cm)

WHAT YOU WILL DO

1. Begin by studying the castles in Chapter 12. On your notepad, list the features common to these buildings. On a sheet of sketch paper, make several drawings of an original castle. Show the building as it appears from the front. Draw all the features included on your list.
2. Choose your best design. Make a line drawing of this sketch on the sheet of cardboard. Fill the surface of the cardboard with your drawing.
3. Glue cord along the lines in your drawing. To do this, squeeze a thin band of glue along the line. Press the piece of cord into place. Repeat this process until all lines are covered.
4. Small pieces of cardboard can be glued to your castle design to give it more detail.
5. Cover your design with the sheet of aluminum foil. Wrap the foil around the ends and sides of the cardboard. Using tape, fasten the foil to the cardboard along the back.
6. Using the end of your pencil, carefully but firmly press down on the foil along the cord lines and around the cardboard shapes. Display your finished work to your class. Note ways in which your castle relief is similar to and different from those of other class artists.

Evaluating Your Work