Cuban Conga Drums

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Cuban Conga Drum using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric organic), and space (positive negative) inspired by American Artist (1954-Present) Valeria Vescovi
• Understand collage techniques (overlapping, layering, cropping) and design principles (composition repetition variation) based on Cuban Art
• Define Whip Stitch (simple stitch with the needle based inside and outside of the fabric edge)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Muy Caliente (2021) Valerie Vescobi

2. Read Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

3. Discussion Questions "What music style uses conga drums? Who invented the conga drums? What sound does a conga drum make? What country does the conga drum come from? What is a drum? What was. the conga drum originally made from? What part of the western world made the conga popular? Does the conga have a hole on the top and bottom of the drum? What is the sound a conga makes? What material is the barrel of the conga made from? How do conga drums make different sounds? Where di the conga drum originate? What are the three types of conga drums?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use three geometric shapes (circle, oval, square) to create a three dimensional cylinder for the drum drawings

2. Use line variation (thick, thin) to show drum types (lead drum, middle drum, low drum) for the drum drawings

3. Use complementary colors (red green; orange blue; purple yellow) to fill in the positive space (drum) of the Cuban Conga Drums

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cuban Conga Drums for Assigned Table

2. Havana Nights (2021) Valeria Vescobi

3. Discussion Questions "What types of lines are being used in this artwork? How did the artist use space? How does your eye move through this artwork? What elements of this artwork seem real? What adjectives would you use to describe this artwork? What verbs would you use to describe this artwork? What do you we know about the artist after viewing this artwork? If you could ask the artist a question, what would you ask him? What do you think this artwork was created for? How do you think this artwork was made? Why do you think the artist created this work? What do you think the artist is trying to say in this work? what is the meaning or message?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use complementary colors (red green; blue orange; yellow purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the drum drawings

2. Add patterns (dots, stripes, waves) for the positive space (foreground) of the Cuban Conga Drums

3. Use neutral colors (white grey black) to fill in the highlight (reflective light, light source) of the Cuban Conga Drums

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cuban Conga Drums for Assigned Tables

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

Lesson Activities

1. Use neutral colors (white grey black) to fill in the shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) of the drum drawings 

2. Add tints (reflective light, light source) to the subject matter (drums) of the Cuban Conga Drums

3. Use drawing tools (pencils, oil pastels, chalk) to add details (weaving, patterns, stripes) to the positive space (foreground) of the Cuban Conga Drums

Artist Examples

Student Examples