John Constable Inspired Cloud Study

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original John Constable Inspired Cloud Study using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use monochromatic clouds (grey, black, white), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by Romanticism Painter (1776-1837) John Constable
• Use drawing techniques (smudging, blending, smoothing) and design principles (placement, proportion, composition) based on Romanticism
• Define Study (a drawing, sketch, or painting done in preparation for a finished piece)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Cloudy Study (1822) John Constable

2. Read Weather by Seymour Simon 

3. Discussion Questions "What was the name of the village John Constable was raised in? Why did Constable paint particular landscapes? What effect did these changes have on the ways in which the countryside was understood? Can these changes be linked to Constable's attention to the countryside? What time of day do you think it is? What colors do you see? Why do they mix and blend well? What shapes are the clouds? How much of the sky is filled with clouds? Are the clouds high or low? What colors are in the clouds?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of cloud compositions using drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smooth) for cloud study

3. Add details (leaves, wind lines, light source) for positive space (foreground) of the John Constable Inspired Cloud Study

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve John Constable Inspired Cloud Study for Assigned Table

2. Cloudy Study (1821) John Constable

3. Discussion Questions "What are clouds? How are clouds formed? Why are clouds white? Why do clouds turn gray? What do clouds float? How do clouds move? Why do clouds for at different heights in the atmosphere? How is fog formed? What type of clouds do you see just before snowfall or rain? What can you get out of watching different kinds of clouds? What is the type of clouds that form below 6,000 feet and look like cotton floating in the sky? Why is it that clouds are generally white in color? How many are the common types of clouds? Is it possible that the sky has several types of clouds in different areas? can anyone tell me where you could find a cloud? What color are clouds? What are words that describe clouds? What kinds of different clouds have you seen? What are clouds made out of?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add basic shapes (geometric, organic) of the clouds for cloud study

2. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to fill in the positive space (clouds, birds) of cloud study

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add details (clouds, light source, wind) of John Constable Inspired Cloud Study 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve John Constable Inspired Cloud Study for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (colored chalk, erasers, pencils)

Lesson Activities 

1. Use monochromatic colors (light blue, blue, dark blue) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the cloud study

2. Use monochromatic colors (light blue, blue, dark blue) to fill in the negative space (background) of the cloudy study

3. Add design details (birds, light source) to positive space (foreground) of John Constable Inspired Cloud Study

Artist Examples

Student Examples