J.E.H MacDonald Landscapes

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original J.E.H MacDonald Landscape using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red orange yellow; green blue purple), shape variation (geometric organic), and texture (rough smooth) inspired by Canadian Artist (1873-1932) J.E.H MacDonald
• Use painting techniques (wet on wet, dry brush, blending) and design principles (composition, balance, movement) based on Canadian Art
• Define Perspective (illusion of space and depth on a flat surface)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Algoma Waterfall (1920) JEH MacDonald

2. Read The Tangled Garden: The Art of JEH MacDonald by Paul Duval

3. Discussion Questions "How well do you know the gardens of art history? Where did JEH MacDonald paint some of his most famous garden scenes? what events lead you to become the artist you are today? What do you think are the happiest and most difficult moments of an artist? How does your eye move throughout the artwork? What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary? What is mysterious doubt this artwork? What is normal about this artwork? what is exciting about this artwork? How do you think this artwork was made?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of scenery using observational drawing skills (contour, outline, continuous) for the landscape paintings

3. Add details (reflective light, light source) to the negative space (background) of the JEH MacDonald Landscapes

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve JEH MacDonald Landscapes for Assigned Table

2. The Little Falls (1919) JEH MacDonald

3. Discussion Questions "Why is the bottom of a waterfall important? How are waterfalls formed? What makes a waterfall different from other bodies of water? What is the different between a river, lake, or streams? Why is the water that color? What causes foam to gather at the shoreline? What kinds of species are in the Michigan lakes? Which of the Great Lakes is entirely within the United States territory?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) to add basic shapes (circle oval triangle) to landscape paintings

2. Use design principles (composition repetition gradation) to fill in the positive space (scenery) of the landscape paintings

3. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous0 to add patterns (loops swirls wavs) to the negative space (background) of the JEH MacDonald Landscapes

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve JEH MacDonald Landscapes for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, erasers, pencils)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (green blue purple) to fill in the positive space (waterfall) of the landscape paintings

2.Use analogous colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the JEH MacDonald Landscapes

3. Add designs (shadows, reflective light) to the negative space (background) of the JEH MacDonald Landscapes

Artist Examples

Student Examples