Painting like Michelangelo

5th graders have been learning about the Renaissance artist Michelangelo, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH1QL8F_zMk ). He was a sculptor, painter and architect, and we've been focusing on his most famous painting, the Sistine Chapel Ceiling. 

In order to paint like Michelangelo, 5th graders had to both draw and paint with their papers taped to the bottom of the table and work laying facing up, since Michelangelo spent 4 years painting the Sistine ceiling in the lay-down position.

They focused on Michelangelo's depiction of God's finger giving life to Adam (all while laying upside down). They spent time noticing the details and location of each finger, as well as the intense use of light and shadows. First they drew (upside down) in pencil and then painted it with a neutral palette.  This assignment was more about the process than the final result; painting upside down is hard, but they learned a lot about artist methods while creating these hands.

Michelangelo's original:

Michelangelo's in the making:

Final result:

Sorry for the overload of pictures, but it was fun to document this project, I doubt I will get these students to paint upside down again any time soon!