Fernand Leger Abstract Art

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Fernand Leger Abstract Art using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use analogous colors (blue red purple), shape variation (three dimensional, two dimensional), and space (positive negative) inspired by French Artist (1881-1955) Fernand Leger
• Use perspective techniques (vanishing point, horizon line, parallel lines) and design principles (composition gradation proportion) based on Cubism
• Define Perspective (drawing objects with height, width, and position on a two dimensional surface)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Forms In Space (1950) Fernand Leger

2. Read Fernand Leger 1911-1924: The Rhythm of Modern Life, Art, And Design by Dorothy M. Kosinski

3. Discussion Questions "Which style of art influenced and reflected Leger's early artwork? How did Leger's experiences in the war change the content of his work? Where was Fernand Leger born? Which art movement was Leger most associated with? Why did Leger leave Argentan for Paris? Which other artists were staying in Paris when Leger arrived? How did you think moving to Paris influenced Leger's paintings? What kind of things did he begin to focus on? How did Leger give the impression of staying on a busy, noisy street corner through his paintings? What do the cycles depict in several paintings of Leger? Where did Leger move too in 1931? When did the Cubism art movement take place? What style of Cubism focused on bright colors and the relationship between paintings and music? Fernand Leger's rounded and tubular forms expanded on which style of art?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use three geometric shapes (cylinder, cone, pyramid) to represent a mood (happy, sad, angry) for ones abstract work

2. Use tints (white grey black) to fill in the positive space (three dimensional shapes) for ones abstract work

3. Use tints (white black grey) to fill in the negative space (background) of ones Fernand Leger Abstract Art

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fernand Leger Abstract Art For Assigned Table

2. The White Birds On Blue Background (1950) Fernand Leger

3. Discussion Questions "What colors are being used in this artwork? Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? Which part of the art is important important? How did the artist use space? How did the artist use balance? How did the artist use proportion? how would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it? What do we know about the artist after viewing this artwork? Who do you think this artwork was created for? Why do you say that? How do you think that artists feels about the final product? How do you think this artwork was made? Why do you think this artwork was made? Why do you think this artist created this work? What emotions do you notice in this artwork? What emotions do you feel when looking at this? How do you think the artist was feeling when he created this artwork? How did the artist use line, shape, and color to contribute to the mood or meaning? What title would you give this artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add three different lines (diagonal vertical horizontal) to add visual interest within ones abstract art

2. Use colored construction paper to fill in the positive space (three dimensional shapes) within ones abstract work

3. Use colored construction paper to fill in the negative space (background) within ones own Fernand Leger Abstract Art

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fernand Leger Abstract Art For Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (construction paper, paper cut outs, geometric shape templates)

Lesson Activities

1. Use black sharpie to outline three dimensional geometric shapes (cylinder, cone, pyramid) and line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) of ones abstract work

2. Use analogous colors (blue red purple) to fill in the positive space (geometric shapes) of ones abstract work

3. Use analogous colors (orange yellow green) to fill in the negative space (background) of ones Fernand Leger Abstract Art

Artist Examples

Student Examples