A-6 Otomí and Nahua Artists

Untitled, Nahuatl Amate (bark)

Overview

  • Discuss amate (bark) paintings by Otomí and Nahua artists.
  • Learn about motif, texture, and contour.
  • Create motif-themed amate art.

Reflection

  • What flora or fauna did you choose to incorporate?
  • Where did you use black contour or blending techniques?
  • What is the title of your artwork?
Amate (bark) painting by a Nahuatl artist, image credit: National Museum of the American Indian, Collection of Carmine DeVivi (Carmine W. DeVivi), usage CC0

Discussion Presentation

Discussion Questions

If you could feel amate, what do you think it feels like?
Bark paper has been created for hundreds of years all over the world. Washi (Japan) and papyrus (Egypt) are made from pith (inner tree trunk) and reeds. Soft, fiber textured paper has natural undertones and are more absorbent.

What plants and animals do you see?
Common motifs or themes in amate art are birds, flora (plants), fauna (animals), and events that affect their daily lives, for good or bad reasons.

What order of drawing and painting do you think the artist did to create this art on the amate paper?
First, heavy black contour outlines are painted, then color is laid on top. Last is a colorful border.

Biography

  • Otomí (oh-toh-MEE)amate artists from San Pablito, Puebla, México. Nahua (NAH-wah) artists are from Xalitla and Ameyaltepec, Guerrero, México.
  • Folk artists are self-taught and typically describe objects, ceremonies and daily local life.
  • Modern amate art can be Otomi (flora/fauna) or Nahua (daily life), or a blend of both motifs.
  • Amate (paper) is Mulberry, Nettle, or Fig bark that’s peeled into strips and pounded down to create paper, exclusively by Otomi in San Pablito, Puebla.
  • Today, amate paintings have become very popular. Different styles of amate paintings in different regions of Mexica.

Student Gallery

Project

Materials
  • sketch paper
  • 4.5×12 almond paper
  • drawing pencil
  • eraser
  • permanent black marker
  • oil pastels
  • craft pick
  • paper towel
Warm Up & Brainstorm
  • 10-minute sketch: draw flora and fauna ideas.
Project Directions

Amate Art

1. Sketch theme.
Lightly draw a daily scene with flora and fauna theme on 4.5×12 almond paper.

2. Contour the sketch.
Use a black marker to outline the sketch. Erase heavy pencil lines.

3. Texture the paper.
Gently crumple and press the paper into a ball. Flatten the paper with your hands to smooth out the wrinkles so it lays flat.

4. Color in details.
Use oil pastels to add color. Soften a dark line by going over the line with the lighter color, blending the line.

5. Creating a gradation.
Color in two colors next to each other. Then use the lighter color on top of the edge of the darker color, just blending the two color edges together.

Pre-Lesson Preparation
  • Pre-prep: cut 9×12 almond paper in half lengthwise.
  • Brainstorm flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
Day of Lesson Setup
  • Demo blending a dark line on a light color.
  • Demo blending two colors to create a gradation.
  • Point out they will want to clean off their oil pastel with the paper towel after blending colors.

Lesson Handouts

Additional Resources

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