CONTOUR LINE SHELLS

Contour Line Shells

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Contour Line Shell using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic), analogous colors (red, purple, orange; green, yellow, blue), and line types (straight, wavy, curved) inspired by American Artist (1887-1986) Georgia O'Keeffe
• Use observational drawing techniques (viewfinder, still life, composition) and design principles (balance, proportion, gradation) based on Modern Art
• Define Rendition (a drawing or painting of something an artist is looking at or has imagined)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Two Pink Shells/Pink Shell (1937) Georgia O'Keeffe
2. Read Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Berkes
3. Discussion Questions "What is different about these shells? How would you describe the shape of this shell? Do you think all these shells are the same shape? Do you see any patterns on this shell? How is this shell different from the others? Do you think this shell is rough or smooth? How do you think this shell would feel if you touched it? What shape is the shell? Is it shiny and smooth'? Is it bumpy and rough? Do you see any patterns on the shell? How many different colors do you see on the shell? How are these shells the same? How are these shells different? What animal could live in this shell? Do you see any patterns on these shells? What do they look like? Are any of the patterns alike? are any of the patterns different? Do the shells look smooth or bumpy? How are these shells similar to each other? How are they different? Are all the shells the same color? Do all the shells have the same pattern? Are all the shells shaped the same? Are some shells round? Are some shells shaped like a cone?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, cylinder) to draw basic shapes of Contour Line Shells
3. Use value (lightness, darkness) to fill in the geometric shapes (oval, circle, cylinder) of the Contour Line Shells

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Contour Line Shells for Assigned Table
2. Red Hill and White Shell (1938) Georgia O'Keeffe
3. Discussion Questions "What kind of characteristics would you attribute to Georgia O'Keeffe? What type of stereotypes did Georgia O'Keeffe have to confront as a woman artist? When was Georgia's first giant seashell painting exhibited? What was Georgia O'Keeffe trying to express in her paintings? What was she trying to show you? Why do you think Georgia O'Keeffe used these colors? Is Georgia O'Keeffe trying to tell a story? If so, what? Where do you think Georgia O' Keeffe was when she was trying to paint this still life? How can you tell? What other clues do you see? Why do you think artists like to paint outside? Why is light important to artists?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to decorative patterns of the Contour Line Shells
2. Use patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to add decorative designs to the positive space (shells) of the Contour Line Shells
3. Use chalk pastel to fill in the negative space (background) with analogous colors (red, purple, blue; orange, yellow, green) of the Contour Line Shells

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Contour Line Shells for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (pencils, sidewalk chalk, tissue paper)

Lesson Activities

1. Blend analogous colors (red, orange, purple; yellow, green, blue) for the positive space (shell) of the Contour Line Shells
2. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to the negative space (background) of the Contour Line Shells
3. Add illusion of depth by adding shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow) of the Contour Line Shells

Artist Examples

Student Examples