SHAPE AND FORM PAINTINGS

Shape and Form Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create a Shape and Form Painting using painting techniques learned in class
• Use neutral colors (white, grey, black), value types (lightness, darkness), and basic form (cone, cylinder, sphere, cube, torus) inspired by the Five Basic Forms
• Use basic techniques (proportion, perspective, gradation) and design principles (movement, balance, emphasis) based on Art Fundamentals
• Define Form (an object having length, width, and depth that is in an enclosed space)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Blue Fan (1922) Francis Campell Boileau Cadell
2. Read Creating the Illusion of Three Dimensional by Bill Martin

3. Discussion Questions "How does contrast work to establish three-dimensional form? How do we use perspective to create a cube? What are some other examples of pictures such as a television or a canvas? What words would you use to describe this painting? What other words might you use? How would you describe the lines in this picture? The shapes? The colors? What does this painting show? What observations can you make about this painting? How would you describe this painting to a person would could not see it?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper
2. Draw five basic forms (cone, cylinder, sphere, cube, torus) before adding light, middle, and dark values within Shape and Form Paintings
3. Add an horizon line in the background to separate the five basic shapes from the background (wallpaper, table) of the form paintings

Reminder:

• Initials & Home Teacher on Back of Paper 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Shape and Form Paintings for Assigned Table
2. Still Life with a Peach and Two Green Pears (1883-1887) Paul Cezanne
3. Discussion Questions  "What is integral to the work of an artist? What role does an artist have in society? How does practicing artwork help artists change overtime? What artwork do you most identify with? What is your favorite artwork? What type of artwork do you most enjoy doing? Why is art important? Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it? What do you like about your artwork? What are the names of the three artists you have been compared too? What was your first reaction to this artwork?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the positive space (cone, cylinder, sphere, cube, torus) of the Shape and Form Paintings
2. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the negative space (wallpaper, table) of the Shape and Form Paintings
3. Use felt tip pens to add a contour line to the positive/negative space of the form paintings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Shape and Form Paintings for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, paint brushes, paint)

Lesson Activities

1. Add tints (add white, reflective light, light source) to subject matter (cone, cylinder, sphere, cube, torus) of the form paintings
2. Add shades (add black, cast shadows, shadow) to background (wallpaper, table) of the form paintings
3. Use drawing tools (pencils, oil pastel, chalk) to add details to the Shape and Form Paintings

Artist Examples

Student Examples