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800-447-8192 DickBlick.com

Perspective on a String
Colorful string art + linear perspective = line art that POPS!
(art + math)
Mathematician Mary Everest Boole first used stitched
cards in the 19th century to help strengthen her students'
understanding of geometry and algebra. Her work inspired
sculptors Henry Moore and Naum Gabo to produce works
that incorporated string, and in the late 1960s string art
became extremely popular as a decorative craft.
Linear perspective in art is a geometrical way to depict
objects as three-dimensional on a two-dimensional plane.
It uses straight lines projected from defined points in the
same manner as string art. So, to combine string art with
perspective is really only a matter of changing up materials.
The traditional way to create string art is to suspend thread
or wire above the surface with nails or pins. This lesson
plan uses a process more like Mary Boole's stitched cards
by pulling string through holes pierced in foamboard. The
foamboard is rigid enough to remain flat and secure the
string, even if pulled tightly. It also has the benefit of being
preprinted on one side with a light grid, making perfect
spacing a breeze!
GRADES 9-12 Note: Instructions and materials are based upon
a class size of 24 students. Adjust as needed.

Preparation
1. Cut 20" x 30" gridded foamboard into 7-1/2" x 10" pieces (eight
per sheet). As an option, create a grid on plain foamboard
using a permanent pen and ruler.

Process
1. Starting on the gridded side of the foamboard, determine the Materials (required)
horizon line by finding the halfway mark and choosing a line Elmer's® Guide -Line Foamboard, 3/16" thick, 20" x 30"
above it. It can be formatted either horizontally or vertically. sheet, Black (13204-2053) or White, Package of 2
Mark the horizon line with a pencil to make it stand out from (13204-1043); share one sheet among eight students
the other grid lines.
Blick® No. 2 Pencil, Box of 12 (20341-4002); one
2. Along the horizon line, choose a point where a vertical line pencil per student
intersects, and determine the vanishing point. Mark this with a Blick® Aluminum Non-Stick Rulers, 12"
dot. (Note: mark a dot at either end of the horizon line for two- (56014-1012); one per student
point perspective.)
Moore® Push Pins, Package of 100,
3. Using a push pin, assorted (57307-1009); share
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
punch holes on either across class
end of the horizon line
Blunt Tapestry Needle #18,
and on the vanishing
Package of 12 (66903-1009);
point. Next, punch
• • •
need one per student
holes along each of the
grid intersections at Creativity Street®
the top and the bottom Embroidery Floss, set of
of the foamboard. It 24 skeins (63100-1009);
It should look something share among class
like illustration (A).
Optional Materials
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Maysville Cotton Warp,
(A) 8 oz, 800 yards (62800-)
Process - continued
4. Choose a string that matches the foamboard color (Black or White). Cut a piece approximately 30" long and thread it
onto a blunt tapestry needle. Knot the string at one end.
5. The gridded side of the foamboard will now be the back side. It doesn't matter what the back side of the board
looks like, so when the string is finished, always try to tie it off on the back side. The needle will need to be reloaded
frequently — it takes about 20 ft of string just to create the radial lines!
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Step 1: Stitch the horizon line. End at Step 2: Stitch radial lines from the Step 3: Choose a point on the far left
the vanishing point and stitch from vanishing point to the holes at the radial and punch a hole with the push
the vanishing point up to the hole on bottom of the canvas. pin. Create a rectangle anchored on
the end of the row above. Continue each corner to a radial line. Use the
stitching so that radial lines are grid on the back side to line up the
created from all of the holes at the top • •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• • points.
• •• •• •Stitch
• •• •• •• with
•• •• brightly
•• •• •• •• ••colored
•• •• •• •• •• •• •
• • •
of the board to the vanishing point. string.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Step 4: Create a second rectangle Step 5: Join each of the corners with Step 6: Repeat the same steps
of the same color string, anchored string of the same color. Notice that to create more boxes. If the first
on the same radial lines. The second the color strings go right over the rectangle is anchored to just the
rectangle will either be larger or radial lines. Now, it looks like a 3-D lower radial lines, then the second
smaller than the first, depending on box! one will be, too. The same rule applies
the placement along the radial lines. to boxes above the horizon line. Use
• • •
different colors of thread and try for
different shapes —­ they can overlap
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • each other, too.

Step 7: After you've

mastered 1-point perspecive,
try 2-point! The layout at
left shows how the radial
lines appear for 2-point
perspective and the finished
example is on the right.

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800-447-8192 DickBlick.com 2.
Options:
1. The punched foamboard base can be used for String
Art as well as perspective drawing. Many patterns and
instructions for pictures can be found by conducting
a quick online search. Or, better yet, design your own
pattern!

National Core Arts Standards - Visual Arts

Creating
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and
work.

Presenting
Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic
work for presentation.

Connecting
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and
personal experiences to make art.