Swedish Dala Horses

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Swedish Dala Horse using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red orange yellow; green blue purple), shape variation (geometric, organic), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by Swedish Artist (2014-Present) Torbojrn Swenelius
• Use paper techniques (cutting, folding, tearing) and design principles (balance, movement, proportion) based on 19th Century Art
• Define Symbol (a mark, sign, or word that represents an idea, object, or relationship)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Blue And Red Dala Horse (2013) Torbojrn Swenelius

2. Read D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet by Kathy Jo Wargin

3. Discussion Questions "What is a Dala Horse? What is the Dala horse made of? What is the meaning of the Swedish Dala horse? Why is the Dala horse the most popular souvenir in Sweden? What does the Dala horse symbolize? Is a Dala Horse a toy? Have you ever wondered why the red wooden horses are associated with Sweden? Why are horses an important motive in art throughout history?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Red Construction Paper

2. Choose 12" X 15" Multicolored Construction Paper

3. Use pencil to draw positive space (horse) of the red construction paper for the horse compositions

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Swedish Dala Horses for Assigned Tables

2. The Blue Dala Horse (2013) Torbojrn Swenelius

3. Discussion Questions "What do you use to describe the horse in this work of art? Did the artist look at real horses or use his imagination to make this work? What do you think the artists is trying to say about horses? Which horse seems more realistic? What does these work tell you about how each artist viewed the horse? Are their views of the horse similar or different?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use oil pastels to draw the positive space (horse) onto the red construction paper for the horse compositions

2. Use oil pastels to draw the negative space (background) onto the multicolored construction paper for the horse compositions 

3. Use oil pastels to add patterns (dots, stripes, swirls) onto the multicolored construction paper for the Swedish Dala Horses 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Swedish Dala Horses for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, scissors, glue sticks)

Lesson Activities

1. Use neutral colors (white, black, grey) to fill in the positive space (horse) of the horse compositions

2. Use neutral colors (white black grey) to fill in the negative space (background) of the horse compositions

3. Add embellishments (jewels, glitter, fabric) to the positive space (horse) and negative space (background) of the Swedish Dala Horses

Artist Examples

Student Examples