Walking the Walk

BEE CREATIVE WITH SEIJAS

Artists have always been fascinated by feet and Fancy Footwear Throughout the Ages! “Shoes”, by Vincent Van Gogh, 1886; “The Princess Margaret Yellow Shoe” by Andy Warhol, (Did you know Andy Warhol’s career began by illustrating shoes?); “Secretary” by Allen Jones, 1971; “Bad Shoe” by Alex Da Corte, 2017; “Ballet Dancer Tying Shoes” by Edgar Degas are all images rendered by the artists elevating the common shoe to important status by making it the important subject matter of their depictions and giving them character. This project invites students to step into the world of shoes—not just as tools for movement, but as symbols of identity, journey, and self-expression—serving as the spark for imagination.

OBJECTIVES:

Students will create a 3D design project that focuses on the meaning, purpose, and value of walking in their shoes.
Students build a shoe to symbolically represent who they are and what aspects of their self, identity, self-expression and their culture best represent their essence. The design guides the viewer on a “walk” in the artist’s shoes.
Students will develop and apply design thinking skills by conceptualizing and sketching original shoe designs before constructing their 3D forms.
Students will demonstrate spatial awareness and form-building techniques by constructing a durable and accurate 3D mold using mixed media (cardboard, foil, tape, etc.).
Students will practice craftsmanship and attention to detail during both the mold-making and plaster application processes.
Students will explore texture, shape, and proportion to enhance the realism or creativity of their final plaster shoe.
Students will understand the properties and handling of plaster, including safety precautions, mixing ratios, application techniques, and drying times.
Students will reflect on their design and fabrication process through verbal or written artist statements or critiques.
Students will apply surface finishing techniques (paint, texture, etc.) to enhance the final product.
Students will engage in peer critique and discussion to analyze form, function, and creativity in their own work and others'.
Students will explore historical or contemporary shoe design to inspire and inform their project with cultural, functional, or fashion-based context.
Students will apply finishing techniques such as sanding, painting, or embellishing to enhance the final presentation of their plaster shoes.
Students will document their process through photos, notes, or a short journal, to show progression from concept to final piece.

These are the most iconic shoes ever painted in art history

The Swing, Jean-Honore Fragonard, 1767
This scene is pretty iconic. At first it looks ever so sweet, a young man gazing at his lover as she flies through the air on a swing. In reality, the story is much more saucy, his lady friend flicks a slipper off her foot as he looks up her skirt. So it seems the association with a good shoe and sex appeal is nothing new…

Beauty In An Autumn Field, Isoda Koryusai, 1735
The beauty of Japanese woodblock prints have inspired artists across the world for generations. We just can’t get past this delicate little shoe worn in this image, as this kimono-clad beauty exposes a leg.

Shoes, Vincent Van Gogh, 1886
Ok, so these shoes are not exactly something we’d be dying to wear on a night out, or a night in for that matter, but they were painted by Van Gogh, so they automatically have iconic status. Apparently the artist bought this pair of footwear at a flea market and, only after walking through mud, decided that they were interesting enough to paint.

Shoe Illustrations, Andy Warhol, circa 1950s
Did you know Andy Warhol’s career began by illustrating shoes? In June 1949 he received his first commission from Glamour Magazine, and continued to work in fashion illustration for the next decade. And, much like the prints he is most famous for, he also produced his shoe prints in an assembly-line, paving the way for the rest of his mass-produced work.

Secretary, Allen Jones, 1971
Just look at these gorgeous pins! British artist Allen Jones is famous for his fetishisation of footwear. Known for having an erotic flair, he often uses mannequins to focus of the female form, and usually includes a high-heeled boot.

Performance Still, Mona Hatoum, 1985
This image is a well-known documentation of a performance made by Mona Hatoum in 1985 where she walked through London with a pair of Dr Martens boots attached to her ankles. At the time this style of shoes were worn by underground groups and police officers, but Mona gave them new meaning. The work comments on control and social conditioning, as the boots tied to her ankles mimic the act of being followed.

Bad Shoe, Alex Da Corte, 2017
Alex Da Corte’s giant foam sneaker is something for the millennial art lover. It was displayed in an exhibition called BAD LAND at Josh Lilley in London in 2018, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it was snapped up by a rapper for their mansion.

Full Stone Wavy Boot, Anthea Hamilton, 2019

These shoes by Anthea Hamilton were inspired by Cecil Vyse, the main character with extravagant style from E.M. Forster’s classic A Room With A View. The shoes may have appealed to Vyse, but they also appeal to the stylish art girl, who may be captivated by their waves and strong heel.

VIDEO TUTORIALS:

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

How can we turn 2D designs into 3D sculptural forms?
What does good craftsmanship look like in sculpture?
How does form influence function and style in shoe design?
How can we express identity or narrative through object design?

WHAT TO DO:

Materials Needed:

Sketchbook & pencils
Cardboard, foil, masking tape
Scissors, utility knives (safely used)
Plaster cloth rolls or plaster strips
Water containers, gloves, aprons
Acrylic paints, brushes
Hot glue, decorative materials (optional)
Reflection worksheet or artist statement template

Sketching:

Understand project goals and view artist examples
Begin design sketches
Brainstorm ideas
Start sketching shoe design (front, side, top view)
Include dimensions
Include color scheme

Mold Construction:

Begin constructing 3D mold from
Demo: Basic techniques for shaping a shoe form
Students begin building mold based on sketch using cardboard, foil, tape
Focus on structure and proportion
Complete detailed mold that reflects planned design

Plaster Application:

Safety demo: How to use plaster cloth, dip, apply, smooth
Students apply plaster over mold to create durable shell
Overnight drying
Apply a second layer of plaster gauze

Surface Finishing:

Sand, paint, embellish as needed
Focus on color, texture, and design coherence
Decorate or refine plaster shoe for final presentation

Final Touches & Reflection:

Complete final detail work