GEORGIA O'KEEFFE INSPIRED SKULLS

Georgia O'Keeffe Inspired Skulls

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create a Georgia O'Keeffe Skull using drawing techniques learning in class
• Use line types (horizontal, curved, diagonal), shape variation (irregular, geometric, simplified), and primary colors (red, yellow, blue) inspired by American Artist (1887-1986) Georgia O'Keeffe
• Use observational skills (cropping, enlarging, focal points) and design principles (composition, contrast, balance) based on Modern Art
• Define Surreal (art expressing imaginary thoughts, feelings, and images)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Cow Skull: Red, White, and Blue (1931) Georgia O'Keeffe
2. Georgia O'Keeffe (1977) Talking about her Life and Work
3. Discussion Questions "How would you tell someone about Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings? What are some photograph techniques she incorporates into her paintings? How was O'Keeffe inspired by other artists? Why did she say she painted skulls? Why do you think Georgia drew the bones in her desert paintings? Why do you think Georgia O'keeffe is an American Icon?"

Lesson Activities

1.  Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use pencil to outline subject matter (nose socket, horns, eye sockets) of animal skull
3. Add details (roses, feathers, fabric) to subject matter (horns, antlers, eye sockets) of Georgia O'keeffe Inspired Skulls

Reminder:

• Initials & Home Teacher on Back of Paper

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Georgia O'keeffe Inspired Skull for Assigned Table
2. Cow Skull with Calico Roses (1931) Georgia O'Keeffe
3. Discussion Questions "Georgia O'keeffe explained that bones were her way of saying something about the county. The bones cut sharply to the center of something that was keenly alive in everyone. She wanted people to give our country a voice of its own. She once said "One cannot be an American by going about saying one is an American. It is necessary to feel America, like America, love America, and then work."

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, contrast, shading) to add value (highlights, shadows) to Georgia O'keeffe Inspired Skulls
2. Look at images of photographs of different animal carcasses (cow, horse, deer) when adding details (horns, eye sockets, antlers) to animal skulls
3. Use white chalk to add contrast to the positive space (reflective light) and negative space (casting shadows) of the animal skulls

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Georgia O'Keeffe Inspired Skulls for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (vine charcoal, white chalk, colored chalk)

Lesson Activities

1, Use drawing techniques (blending, contrast, shading) to add primary colors (red, yellow, blue) to background of animal skull
2 Use drawing material (tortillon, kneaded eraser, conte crayon) to blend in the background (mountains, clouds, calico roses) of animal skull
3. Use charcoal (vine, willow, sticks) for adding finishing details (eye sockets, horns, nose sockets) to Georgia O'Keeffe Inspired Skulls

Artist Examples

Student Examples