Charley Harper was known for his powerful groupings of animals depicted through simple patterns and repetition. This document asks a series of questions about Harper's use of repeating patterns to show flocks of birds like penguins and starlings living close together in groups, as well as layered leaves and birds suggesting the power that comes from groups. The final question prompts looking at Harper's simple drawing of a cardinal to try replicating its lines.

1. Charley Harper
Powerful Groupings

2. What kind of lines do you see?
What shapes have been formed?

3. How many different patterns can you
spot? Is there a pattern of patterns?

4. What effect has been achieved through
the repetition of pattern here?

5. How many different penguins are there? What
impression do you get through Harper’s decision to
repeat the pattern in such a tight manner?

6. Why do you think Harper layered the starling images on
top of each other in this manner? What is he saying
about the way they live in their flock?

7. What do you think Harper is suggesting
by layering the leaf shapes on top of the
red-winged blackbirds?

8. What can you interpret about the
power of the group from this picture?

9. Look at how Harper used simple lines to draw
his cardinal. See if you can do the same.