4th and 5th Grade Profile Drawings: In the Style of Egyptians, Mixtec Codex and Duncan Tonatiuh -

My students were treated to a visit by illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. He is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. His images are inspired by ancient Mexican art, especially the Mixtec codex of the 14th and 15th centuries. Like the people and animals in the codex, the figures in his illustrations are always drawn in profile– their entire bodies are usually shown and their ears often look like a number three. He also collages textures and photographic elements into his images electronically, using computer software.

Duncan Tonatiuh- Images And Stories, Imágenes e Historias

You can read my previous blog post all about his artwork and his visit to my school.

Here is an example of the Mixtec Codex:

If you teach about Diego Rivera, Duncan Tonatiuh has a book about his life and art that you may be interested in.

The profile view is also similar to the ancient Egyptian style of painting, which has characteristically rigid and stylized. The Egyptians showed the human form from the most familiar angle, the profile view. The left and right foot were also facing the same way.

Duncan Tonatiuh: From Comics to Codex – Mackin Community

In Art class, we looked at and analyzed how the ancient Egyptian art, Mixtec Codex and Duncan Tonatiuh’s artworks were similar. Then the students were challenged to draw a picture of a modern scene influenced by these styles. The only rule was that all of the figures had to be in profile view.

Illustration of a girl in pink riding a black and white horse against a light blue sky background. A child's drawing of a person with blonde hair riding a brown and white horse against a blue background.

This girl seemed to like Starbucks a lot.

Child's drawing of a coffee shop with a seated patron at a table and a barista behind the counter.

This was right before winter break, so Christmas was a theme in some of their artworks.

A colorful painting featuring Santa Claus with a red hat, white beard, and green trees against a purple background.

This is an ancient battle scene.

A 4th and 5th Grade profile drawing of soldiers aiming rifles at two horse-drawn carts against a blue background.

Sports were chosen by several students.

Children playing soccer on a field under a sunny sky with one bird flying and two goals on either side.

This is a girl walking her dog in front of a Target store!

A child with braids walks a dog on a leash in front of colorful buildings, including a coffee shop advertising a sale.

Snowball fight!

A child's drawing of a person in a blue hat and red pants walking in a snowy, white winter scene. A child wearing a red coat walks through falling snow while carrying a sack on their back.

An ancient Egyptian in a pet store.

Child's drawing of an ancient Egyptian figure pointing at a fish tank with the word "FISH" written above it. Child's drawing of a football game sequence on a green field with players, dialog bubbles, and yard line numbers. Child's drawing of people shopping in a store with clothing and groceries; sale sign showing 20% off.

This student was inspired by Duncan’s use of real photographic textures, so she used cut outs from magazines to make the clothes. I love love love this technique and may encourage more kids to try this.

Children's drawing of two girls at a playground, one holding a swirl ice cream cone. Swingset and slide in the background. A child's painting of Santa near a Christmas tree and fireplace, with gifts and a toy horse on the floor. Two children playing baseball on a field under a blue sky; one is pitching, and the other is ready to bat.