Georges Barbier was a French illustrator and part of the Art Deco movement. He also designed jewelry and costumes. He created fashion illustrations and his work could be seen in famous magazines like Vogue and the Gazette du bon Ton. With Fireworks in Venice, he exhibited his skill at both Art Deco and Illustration. Take time to explore his works and learn more about this wonderful artist.
Activity: Make your own fireworks! We used Georges Barbier’s Fireworks in Venice as our inspiration. We love his use of industrial elements and the exciting fireworks display seen over the peaceful water.
Materials Needed (To replicate our example):
● Paper (Blue, purple, black, and cream colored)
● Glue Stick
● Scissors
● Markers
● Colored Pencils
● Pencil
● Paper to sketch ideas on and to create splats and zig zag shapes
● Black cardstock
Directions:
1 - Find inspiration online or from your own photos, then sketch what you want your firework show to look like.
2 - We used blue, purple, black and cream colored paper and used it to draw and cut out our objects. We also created clouds, a moon, people, firework lights, buildings, sky, and water shapes.
3 - Create splats and zig zag shapes with markers on paper.
4 - Cut the paper into strips to make the firework bursts and umbrella tops.
5 - Create your first layer. Glue the sky, water and clouds onto the black cardstock paper.
6 - Add the buildings, moon, and boats to create a second layer.
7 - Add the umbrella tops and firework bursts for your third layer.
8 - Finally, take a white colored pencil or marker and create lined streamers and dots to add some texture.
Directions (If your doing your own version):
● Find your inspiration, sketch your idea, and decide what materials you want to use to create your own firework piece!
Remember, you’re the artist here! Get inspired, be creative, and, most importantly, have fun!