Gang Age Ninja Turtle

Imler 1

Gang Age Ninja Turtle Quintin Ryan Imler University of Missouri

Gang Age Ninja Turtle

Imler 2

There is no omission here; all details are accounted for here. The iconic imagery that could only be a ninja turtle is wonderfully represented in this young students drawing. This child is creatively in the Gang Age level of artistic development. Many of the principles of a human figure (or turtle in this case) are represented in this image and there is attention to detail that suggest an appreciation for body structure and clothing details. There is a layered feel to his work, possibly from his medium, but either way it makes up for some of the disproportionality. There is a clear attention to detail in my students work. There is the headband, which is well represented in a parallel position to the trademark teethy grit that is so associated with facial expression of ninja turtles. He even put in some ninja turtle straps and design aspects from the artwork created by ninja turtle artist. The disproportion is truly one of the only major alterations of the artist from the cartoon inspired piece he clearly loves. Not only is this work a great showing of some Gang level skills, I would also love to see some of his work in an environment, to measure whether or not he is actually closer to the Pseudo-Naturalistic Stage or the Schematic Stage. As this is an image of a single figure with a very simple pose, some elements of progress within the gang stage are hard to determine. For example, the Gang Age is marked by overlapping of objects and shows how the student represents figures on a horizon. (Brittain 477) Were the child in the Pseudo-Naturalistic Stage, they would need to have an image with depth and environment

Gang Age Ninja Turtle

Imler 3

represented to determine their placement. Either way though I greatly enjoy my students work. This student is very exciting, because they seem to love what they are doing. They also are allowed to draw something they want to draw, which is also very important for a young artist to develop. Idealy this student is between 9-12 years, and on pace to progress to the Pseudo-Naturalistic Stage. The best way as a teacher to help the student is to encourage him to continue to draw with a purpose as well as focusing on adding an environment. This student is clearly skilled and this should be encouraged.

Gang Age Ninja Turtle

Imler 4

Bibliography Brittain, W.L. & V. Lowenfeld. (1970) Creative and Mental Growth. New York, NY. MacMillan Co. pgs 474-479.