Amelia Pelaez Still Life
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Amelia Pelaez Still Life using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use line types (continuous, contour, outline), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and color schemes (analogous, complementary, secondary) inspired by Cuban Painter (1896-1968) Amelia Pelaez
- Use painting methods (double loading, overlapping, layering) and design principles (composition, variation, balance) based on Avant-Garde Art
- Define Still Life (a work of art depicting inanimate objects as subject matter)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Tray With Fruits (Watermelon) (1941) Amelia Pelaez
2. Read Amelia Pelaez: The Craft Of Modernity" by Rene Morales & Ingrid Elliot
3. Discussion Questions "Why did the artist choose to use fruits, fish, and women in cost settings taken from the artist's surroundings? Would you consider her artwork part of cubism, primitivism, or surrealism movements? What art is Cuba known for? What influenced Cuba art? Who are other famous Cuban artists? What type of art is Cuba known for? How did Cuban ceramics influence her two dimensional works of art? How do they differ from one another? What elements hover over the scene? How do they relate to the figures? What do you think this symbolizes?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper
2. Add three dimensional shapes (cylinder, pyramid, sphere) to the composition of the arranged objects (fruits, plates, fabric) for the fruit still life paintings
3. Add an horizon line in the negative space (background) to separate the folded drapery, objects, and wallpaper of the Amelia Pelaez Still Life
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Amelia Pelaez Still Life for Assigned Tables
2. Still Life with Pineapple (1964) Amelia Pelaez
3. Discussion Questions "What is a still life? Still Life- a simple painting or drawing of objects. Is it 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 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 fruit still life paintings
2. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the fruit still life paintings
3. Use shape stamps to add patterns (floral, silk, wood) to the positive space (foreground) of the Amelia Pelaez Still Life
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Amelia Pelaez Still Life for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, oil pastels, paintbrushes)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to subject matter (fruit bowl, glassware) of fruit still life paintings
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (wallpaper, table, background) of fruit still life paintings
3. Outline details (patterns, objects, fruit) to positive space (fruit bowl, glassware) of Amelia Pelaez Still Life
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