LIBERTY BELLS

 Liberty Bells

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Liberty Bells using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use metallic colors (bronze, copper, silver), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by American Photographer (1889-1983) Arthur Mole
• Use mixed media techniques (collage, assemblage, sculpture) and design principles (composition, proportion, gradation) based on American Art
• Define Symbol (something that stands for something else)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Living Liberty-Camp Dix (1918) Arthur Mole

2. The Liberty Bell (American Symbols Series) by Mary Firestone

3. Discussion Questions "What is a symbol? What does the Liberty Bell look like? What is the focal point in this photograph? What made the Liberty Bell crack? how many times did the Liberty Bell crack? Did the Liberty Bell crack the first time when it was rung? What is the significance of the Liberty Bell? What is another word for Liberty? What is the Liberty Bell made from? How old is the Liberty Bell? What would the Liberty Bell feel like if you could touch it?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches using line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) for bell drawings

3. Add details (newspaper clippings, maps, journal entries) to negative space (background) of Liberty Bells

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Liberty Bells for Assigned Table

2. Liberty Bell (2021) Nancy Baker Cahill

3. Discussion Questions "How would you describe the artwork from this artist? How does this artwork make you feel? During what period of art was this artist most famous? What were some interesting facts you learned about the artist? What did the artist want viewers to see in his works of art? What does this artist do? What country is this map of? What state is the black dot on? What is the photography about? What is this a picture of? What are the things that are being referred to in this artwork? what do you appreciate about this artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing) to fill in positive space (bell) of the bell drawings

2. Use design principles (composition, balance, gradation) to fill the negative space (background) of the bell drawings

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing) to fill in the negative space (background) of the bell drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Liberty Bells for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, masking tape)

Lesson Activities

1. Use metallic colors (bronze, copper, silver) to fill the positive space (stripes, straps) of the bell drawings

2. Use metallic colors (bronze, copper, silver) to fill in the negative space (background) of the bell drawings

3. Add design details (cropping, enlarging, overlapping) to the negative space (background) of Liberty Bells

Artist Examples

Student Examples