top of page
Exquisite corpse_Page layout

FRANKEN FIGURE

The Exquisite Corpse: from the original French term cadavre exquis

Join the community exquisite corpse project

Exquisite corpse can also be dance, poetry and music

Our Franken Figure, based on Exquisite corpse (from the original French term cadavre exquis), is a collaborative creative activity where artwork is made by several participants who don't know what each has done. Each person adds their secret part to the composition to create one piece of art together.

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Pencils, markers or pens

  • 8-1/2"x11" white paper

  • 3 participants (or 2 alternating participants)

STEPS

  1. Match the layout to set up an 8-1/2"x11" sheet of paper. The marks indicate the ending points for the neck and legs and ensure that multiple drawings line up. 

  2. Fold so you can only see the top panel. Participant #1 draws the head of a figure, extending the lines of the neck over the fold so they can be seen at the top of the middle panel.

  3. Fold the sheet so now only the middle panel is visible. 

  4. Participant #2 now draws the middle section of a figure, extending the leg lines of the drawing over the bottom fold so they can be seen at the top of the bottom panel.

  5. Fold the sheet so now only the bottom panel is visible. 

  6. Participant #3 (or #1 again) now draws the bottom section of a figure.

  7. Unfold the sheet to see the figure you've created together. Erase the "x" pencil marks at the fold lines.

SHARE

Send us a photo and we'll add it to our community gallery! 

bottom of page