Arctic Animals

Learning Targets 

I can...

• Create an original Arctic Animal using drawing techniques learned in class 
• Use warm/cool colors (red orange yellow, green blue purple), sharp variation (geometric organic), and line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) inspired by Canadian Artist (1926-2015) Ted Harrison
• Use art element: texture (rough smooth) and design principles (composition repetition balance) based on Canadian Art
• Define Texture (the feel or appearance of a surface)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Floating Gulls (1994) Ted Harrison

2. Read Arctic Animals by Tad Carpenter

3. Discussion Questions "What could be cuter than a cozy textured polar bear, arctic fox, narwhal, or arctic hare? What can you identify in the artwork using directional words? Which line is above this line? How many lines did you draw below this line? How did the artist create a landscape using curved liens and organic shapes? Did the artist use short, straight lines to add fur texture to their polar bear? What do all arctic animals have in common? What is the most interesting animal in the Arctic? How do animals adapt to arctic conditions? What animals are found in the arctic? Why are arctic animals white? How many animals live in the Arctic?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use three geometric shapes (rectangle, oval, circle) to create a three dimensional silhouette of an arctic animal (fox, bear, wolf) for the animal composition

2. Add details (eyes, nose, claws) to the three dimensional silhouette of an arctic animal (fox, bear, wolf) for the animal composition

3. Outline positive space (arctic animal) with neutral colors (black, brown, grey) for the Arctic Animals

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Arctic Animal for Assigned Table

2. Flying South (1993) Ted Harrison

3. Discussion Questions "What do you see in this picture? Does your picture have space or distance? Does your picture have an horizon line, one point perspective, or background? How can we create the illusion of depth within our own Arctic Animals? What do you think was the most important tool the artist used when creating this work? Why are you drawn to this subject? What connections did the artist have to her work? Does this artwork represent something about the artist? Is there an element of the artwork you enjoy working with most? What do you think the artist meant when creating this artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add finished details (eyes, nose, claws) to the positive space (fox, wolf, bear) of the arctic animal composition 

2. Finish outlining positive space (fox, wolf, bear) with neutral colors (brown, black, grey) for the arctic animal composition

3. Add embellishments (salt, glitter, metallic) for the negative space (background) of the Arctic Animals

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Arctic Animal for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, paint brush, watercolor)

Lesson Activities

1. Finish adding embellishments (salt, glitter, metallic) for the negative space (background) of the Arctic Animals

2. Add neutral colors (black, grey, brown) to the three dimensional silhouette (fox, bear, wolf) of the arctic animal composition

3. Add value (highlight, shadows) to the positive space (fox, bear, wolf) of the Arctic Animals

Artist Examples

Student Examples