Horace Pippin Fox Drawings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Horace Pippin Fox Drawing using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic), and space (positive negative) inspired by African American Painter (1888-1946) Horace Pippin
• Use art element: line (horizontal vertical diagonal) and design principles (composition, repetition, balance) based on Harlem Renaissance
• Define Stain (use oils to discolor the painting surface, material, or medium)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Getaway Fox (1939) Horace Pippin

2. Read A Splash of Red: The Life And Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant 

3. Discussion Questions "What is the first thing you noticed about this painting? Is this painting happy or sad? What do you think? How would it feel to be there? Is it warm or cold? How many animals do you see? How are they arranged? What do you notice about the fox? Which painting do you think Pippin preferred? What do you think Horace Pippin is saying in this painting? What is Pippin saying about the cooperation between races? Why do they make their own art? What are they trying to communicate? How is their art unique? Will you use symmetry to create your fox painting? Will you use flat shapes or bold colors? How will the placement of the fox affect your message?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Wood Grain Paper

2. Use pencils to draw line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (fox) of the fox compositions

3. Use permanent marker to outline the positive space (fox) and negative space (background) of the fox compositions 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Horace Pippin Fox Drawings for Assigned Table

2. The Fox Hunt (1839) Horace Pippin

3. Discussion Questions "What do you see? Who is in this painting? What is the fox doing? What time is it? Is it evening or morning? Is the painting crowded or full of space? Is the painting modern or old-fashioned? Can you find other things that appear in threes? Can you find triangles in the painting? How many sides do they have? Can you figure out the secret numbers in all of the paintings? How did the artist use red to create emphasis in the painting? How did the artist create implied texture with the wood grain in their artwork? How did the artist create the background to give a sense of space?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use marker to finish outlining with line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) the positive space (fox) and negative space (background) of the fox compositions

2. Use earth tones (red, brown, yellow) to fill in the positive shape (fox) of the fox compositions

3. Use earth tones (red brown yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Horace Pippin Fox Drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Horace Pippin Fox Drawings for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water buckets, earth tones)

Lesson Activities

1. Use implied texture (feathers, whiskers, scales) to add details (tails, whiskers, paws) to the fox compositions

2. Use value (lightness, darkness) to add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the fox compositions 

3. Use value (lightness, darkness) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to fill in the Horace Pippin Fox Drawings

Artist Examples

Student Examples