Inspired by the works of Giacomo Balla, such as The Hand of the Violinist or Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, we explored the representation of movement typical of FUTURISM with our 8th-grade classes. On the occasion of the 2026 Winter Olympics, we chose silhouettes of athletes engaged in various sports, trying to capture their dynamism through sequential figures and force-lines, combining art, sport, and visual perception. You can find the reference images below:”
Required Materials:
- White drawing paper (approx. 9×13 inches or A4/Letter size)
- Athlete silhouettes printed on white paper
- Colored felt-tip pens (markers)
- Scissors and craft knives
- Glue stick
First, each of us chose a sports image and carefully cut it out along the edges to create a clean silhouette. For the smaller details and inner parts, we used small craft knives.
Before starting with color, we studied the composition on the white sheet. We planned where to place our cutout figure to ensure the entire sequence of movements would fit within the paper’s format, simulating the athlete’s displacement across the space.
We then selected a set of colored markers, choosing either matching gradients or contrasting tones according to our personal taste. While holding the cutout figure firmly on the white paper, we drew a series of parallel lines, all in a single direction—the direction of the athlete’s movement. We drew these colored motion lines by overlapping them onto the cutout figure, which acts as a STENCIL. It was important to hold the silhouette steady with the hand we weren’t using to draw.
Without lifting the silhouette, but shifting it slightly to the side, we repeated the process with the second chosen color. We drew the lines in the same direction as the previous ones to create a sense of displacement and speed. By continuing this way and slightly overlapping the subsequent strokes, we created a sequential chromatic trail that captures the idea of the figure moving through space.
Here are some other examples of marker drawings where the figure was used as a stencil:
To complete the sequential drawing, we took the original black silhouette we used as a STENCIL and glued it over the final position of the trail. The final effect is very powerful: a static image that is perceived as being in strong motion, thanks to the sequences of colored and blurred outlines. To connect the sequences of images, you can add FORCE-LINES that follow the figure along its trajectory.
The final step to create an even greater sense of movement was adding WATERCOLOR SPLASHES to represent the displacement or the parts in FRICTION with the snow or ice. This detail adds DYNAMISM and a sense of freshness to the overall image.
Below are more examples of marker drawings using the stencil technique:
