GRADIENT LANDSCAPES

Gradient Landscapes

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Gradient Landscape using computer techniques learned in class
• Use analogous colors (red orange yellow), shape variation (geometric, organic), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by French Painter (1594-1665) Nicolas Poussin
• Use technology techniques (paint bucket, pen tool, dragging) and design principles (balance, gradation, repetition) based on Graphics Art
• Define Vector (simple geometric points, lines, and shapes that can be scaled without loss of quality)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Landscape with a Calm (1650-1651) Nicolas Poussin
2. Read Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children by Gladys Blizzard
3. Discussion Questions "What is the largest thing you see in the painting? Where is this object located in the painting (foreground, middle ground, background)? What is the next largest thing you see in the painting? Where is this object located in the painting? What is the smallest thing you see in the painting? What do you think the title of the painting might be? What do you see in the painting that makes you want to give it this title? If you were inside the landscape, what would you see? What might you smell, hear, taste, or touch? What term do we use to refer to a picture of natural scenery? Do you think we define landscape or ourselves as the place which we are most familiar? Does the landscape we live today in shape our identity?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use a ruler, compass, or straightedge to draw the scenery of the landscape drawing
2. Add details (building, animal, plants) within the scenery of the landscape drawing
3. Use colored sharpies to outline the foreground, middle ground, and background 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Gradient Landscapes for Assigned Table
2. Site d-Italie, Soleil Levant (1796-1875) Jean Baptiste Camille Corot
3. Discussion Questions "What is natural and what is man made in this painting? Does the longer list match the definition of landscape as a picture of natural scenery? What would you see, smell, hear, taste, or touch if you were in this place? If you could enter into the scene in the work, where would you be located? Does the artist give you a natural path to follow through the landscape? Is this a place you would want to visit? What would you wear if you were visiting this landscape? Where was the artist standing when he or she made this landscape? How does his or her point of view, or vantage point, affect the way the landscape looks? Are there any clues in the painting that would lead you to believe it was made from direct observation, or in a studio? If you were asked to think of a landscape in your imagination, would it be the landscape where you grew up?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add patterns (stars, stripes, swirls) in scenery of landscape paintings
2. Use analogous colors (red, orange yellow) to fill in the positive space of the landscape paintings
3. Use analogous colors (blue purple green) to fill in the negative space of the landscape paintings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Gradient Landscapes for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (computer, glue sticks, scissors)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (sunlight, reflection) within the scenery of the landscape paintings
2. Add shadows (shade, cast shadow) within the scenery of the landscape paintings
3. Add details (snowflakes, animals, tractors) within the scenery of the landscape paintings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples