Oreo Cameos
I’ve never seen an art teacher use Oreos in the art classroom before but when I saw art teacher Sandy Queen post the images below on my Facebook group Your Student’s Artwork, I had to find out more. This task makes links to historical cameo carvings, reinforces what relief carving is and also involves creative photography, and all in a fun way.
Sandy who works at Rock Hill SC, calls these Oreo Cameos, and you can see why. The pale cream centre contrasts with the dark chocolate biscuit in the same way that the image in a cameo contrasts with the background.
Sandy tells me that students completed their relief carving and photography in one 90 minute class period.
“The only tools were a toothpick and a napkin.” she explained.
Sandy points out to her students that this is relief carving as the raised surface is what creates the image.
Under the title of ‘Documenting with Photography’ Sandy suggests students:
- Use the coloured lights in the classroom
- Try unusual angles
- Involve a classmate
- Use a filter
Students have to submit 3 photographs. Students used their phones to photograph their creations and in the two images below used blue transparencies over lights to create the blue effect.
My favourite photo is the one below where the student has involved a friend and some forced perspective to make the oreo cameo look like the head of the person.
Oreo cameos are such a fun idea that I’m going to include them in my planning this year. If you’ve enjoyed this post, why not subscribe to receive information about future posts and this will also allow you to download 3 of my free resources each month.
