Agaric Mushroom Forests
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Agaric Mushroom Forests using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (analogous, neutral, warm colors, earth tones), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and texture (actual, visual, implied) inspired by English Illustrator (1820-1914) John Tenniel
- Use observational drawing techniques (scale, outline, contour, measurements) and design principles (composition, variation, proportion) based on Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
- Define Worms Eye Perspective (a technique where the viewpoint is positioned at ground level, looking up at a subject)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Alice Meets The Caterpillar (1951) John Tenniel
2. Read Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
3. Discussion Questions "Would you like to travel through a place like this? How can you exaggerate the shapes, forms, heights, and angles of the mushrooms to give them distinct personalities? How can you exaggerate the shapes, forms, heights, and angles of the mushrooms to tell a story? Will you have a realistic or stylized forest floor landscape? How can you use patterns found in nature to inspire your design of the leaves, mushrooms, or elements? What textures were included in the forest floor (smooth mushroom caps, velvet moss, rough tree bark)? What colors will you use to capture the atmosphere of the forest? What smaller hidden details will you add (insects, spores, prints, dew drops) to reward a closer look? What purpose do the different types of fungi serve in your imaginary ecosystem? How can you create a sense of depth and dimension in your artwork?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use drawing techniques (layering, overlapping, cropping, cutting) to make a composition in the positive space (foreground, mushrooms) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
2. Use drawing techniques (layering, overlapping, cropping, cutting) to add details (stems, leaves, rocks, grass) in the positive space (foreground, mushrooms) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
3. Add design details (polka dots, magical symbols, biomorphic shapes) to the positive space (foreground, mushrooms) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Agaric Mushroom Forests for Assigned Tables
2. Alice and The Mushroom (1951) John Tenniel
3. Discussion Questions "What is the overall mood or feeling you would like to convey in your artwork? How can you use patterns found in nature to inspire your designs on the leaves, mushrooms, and other elements? What kind of mythical creatures or unseen spirits might live in your mushroom forest? If this mushroom forest existed in a dream, what would it look like and what kind of message would it hold? What happens in this forest when no one is watching? What are the shapes, colors, and textures of the different mushroom species you observe? How does the lighting (bright daylight, glowing moonlight, deep shadow) affect the appearance of the mushrooms? How can you create a composition that shows the complex relationships between the fungi, plants, and surrounding animals?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to add contrast to the negative space (background, forest) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
2. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to add contrast to the positive space (mushrooms, foreground) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
3. Use implied texture to add details (polka dots, magical symbols, biomorphic shapes) to the positive space (mushrooms, foreground) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Agaric Mushroom Forests for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (watercolor, tempera paint, paint brushes, sharpie markers)
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, neutral, warm colors, earth tones) to fill in the positive space (foreground, mushrooms) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
2. Use color combinations (analogous, neutral, warm colors, earth tones) to fill in the negative space (background, forest) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
3. Use neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (foreground, mushrooms) of the Agaric Mushroom Forests
Artist Examples
Student Examples
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