TREE OF LIFE PAINTINGS

Tree of Life Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Tree Of Life Painting using painting techniques learned in class
• Use metallic colors (gold, silver, bronze, copper), line types (curly, curved, zig zag) and space (positive, negative) inspired by Austrian Painter (1862-1918) Gustav Klimt
• Understand art history (appreciation, mimicking art styles) and design principles (rhythm, movement, repetition) based on Art Nouveau
• Define Embellishments (adding a decorative ornament or fanciful details to an artwork)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Tree of Life (1909) Gustav Klimt
2. Read The Magical Tree: A Children's Book Inspired by Gustav Klimt by Myriam Ouyessad
3. Discussion Questions "Which way will you format the paper vertically or horizontally? What time of day did the artist choose for their painting? Does this sky have a moon, sun, or neither? If the artist made a moon, what phase was it in? Does the artist paint with all warm or all cool colors? What kind of brush strokes could you use? What do you like about this picture? What was difficult about making this artwork? How is your artwork similar to Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life? What symbols did you use in your artwork? How did you make your tree of life a unique personal painting? What do you think is the most challenging part of this painting? Who is your favorite landscape artist?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (curly, curved, zig zag) to draw foreground (plants, animals), middle ground (tree) and background (sky, wallpaper) of the tree paintings
2. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the background (sky, wallpaper) of the tree paintings
3. Use metallic colors (gold, silver, bronze, copper) to fill in the middle ground (tree) of the Tree Of Life Paintings

Reminder:

• Initials & Home Teacher on Back of Paper

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Tree Of Life Paintings for Assigned Table
2. Read Klimt and His Cat by Berenice Capatti
3. Discussion Questions "Who was Gustav Klimt? What inspired him? Why does his work matter? What colors did Gustav Klimt use? What materials did Gustav Klimt use? Gustav Klimt started an art movement called the "Vienna Secession" which later became part of what? Which was the name of Gustav Klimt's painting of a curly-branched tree? What is the name of Gustave Klimt's most famous painting? Which metallic color did Gustav Klimt's work use because his father was an engraver? Unlike many artists, Gustav Klimt never painted a picture of what?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use a ruler, compass, or straightedge to draw the foreground (plants, animals) of the tree painting
2. Add embellishments (sequins, buttons, fabric, scraps) to the middle ground (tree) of the tree paintings
3. Use black tempera paint to fill in the foreground (plants, animals) of the Tree Of Life Paintings

Day Three, Art Start 

1. Retrieve Tree Of Life Painting for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (metallic paint, embellishments, glue)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) within the foreground of the Tree of Life Paintings
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) within the middle ground of the Tree of Life Paintings
3. Add details (owls, leaves, grass) within the background of the Tree of Life Paintings

Artist Examples

Student Examples