Little Ashcan Explores Contrast: Bamboo Baskets & South African Art

Last week, our Little Ashcan students embarked on an exciting project exploring contrast through the lens of South African culture! 🌍✨ Inspired by the intricate craftsmanship of bamboo baskets and the expressive charcoal work of William Kentridge, students practiced their observational drawing skills using a striking black-and-white technique.

Who is William Kentridge?

William Kentridge, a renowned South African artist, is known for his powerful charcoal drawings, animated films, and prints, often addressing themes of colonialism, history, and memory. His immersive works are defined by beautiful line quality, deep shadows, and bold contrasts, making him the perfect inspiration for this project.

William Kentridge | An Embarkation (1988)

The Project: Drawing Bamboo Baskets with Contrast

Using black toned paper and white compressed charcoal, students illustrated sets of bamboo baskets, focusing on:
✅ Direct observational drawing – carefully studying shapes, patterns, and textures
✅ Light and shadow – using the white charcoal for highlights and letting the black paper form natural shadows
✅ Contrast – creating depth and dimension through tonal variation