William H. Johnson Still Life

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original William H. Johnson Still Life using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red orange yellow; green blue purple), line types (contour line, curved line, diagonal line), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by American Artist (1901-1970) William H. Johnson
• Use drawing techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (composition, movement, balance) based on Fine Art
• Define Community (practice of art based in and generated in a community setting)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Still Life Chair and Flowers (1945) William H. Johnson

2. Read Lil Sis and Uncle Willie by Gwen Everett

3. Discussion Questions "How did William H. Johnson use children as representation of issues and images from African America community? Where have we come from? Where have we arrived? What is the content of William H. Johnson work? What inspired William H. Johnson? How does William H. Johnson composition convey a sense of order? What is repeated? How many recruits are there? What is similar about the recruits and drill sergeant? How do they differ from one another? What elements hover over the scene? How do they relate to the figures? What do you think they symbolize?"

Lesson Activities

1.Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Add three dimensional shapes (cylinder, pyramid, sphere) to composition of arranged objects (fruit dishes fabric) for still life

3. Add an horizon line in the negative space (background) to separate the folded drapery, objects, and wallpaper for William H. Johnson Still Life

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve William H. Johnson Still Life for Assigned Table

2. Still Life Flowers (1938) William H. Johnson

3. Discussion Questions "What is a still life? Still Life- a simple painting or drawing of objects. It is different from other forms of figurative work in the sense that it cannot move? Can you guess how many times of still life there are for three merits? How can you create a still life effectively? What was the inspiration for your artwork? When did you learn about a famous artist, a culture, a place, or time in history? What materials did you use? What techniques did you try? What are you proud of in your art? What style is it? Were you using your imagination, memories, or observing from real life?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the still life

2. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the still life

3. Use shape stamps to add patterns (floral, silk, wood) to the William H. Johnson Still Life 

Day Three, Art Start

Lesson Activities

Artist Examples

Student Examples