Alpine Trees

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Alpine Tree using collage techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive negative) inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Egon Schiele
• Use collage techniques (overlapping, layering, cropping) and design principles (composition, variation, proportion) based on Modern Art
•  Define Symbol (mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as a represented idea)

Lesson One

Day One, Art Start

1. Olive Tree With Yellow Sky And Sun (1889) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read The Night Before Christmas: A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

3. Discussion Questions "Which real life person is Santa Claus based on? What did you like best about meeting Santa? What was your favorite Christmas activity? What was your favorite present? Who did you spend Christmas Day with? What did you do together on Christmas? What do you love mom about Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas song? What do we celebrate Christmas? What part of the Christmas story do you like the most? What do you like most about Christmas? What is your favorite ornament on the tree and why? What do you think your Christmas tree would say if it could talk? What are you looking forward to about Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas tradition? What does Christmas mean to you? What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you have ever received? What is one word to describe last year?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Construction Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of tree compositions using drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smooth) for tree collages

3. Add details (leaves, acorn, hole) for the positive space (tree) of the tree collages

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Alpine Trees for Assigned Table

2. Autumn Landscapes With Four Trees (1885) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "What kind of tree is this? How old is the tree? What season is it? Has anyone tried cutting it down? What else grows nearby? Who waters the tree? Does the tree get enough sunlight? Is the tree healthy? What is a tree a symbol of? Where is the tree located? If you were in the picture, where would you be? Did you enjoy creating a tree that represented you? What makes a good scientific sketch? What details were important to include in each tree? How tall do you think the tree is? Have you noticed how different the forest looks through the different seasons? If you climbed to the top of that tree and looked around, what do you think you would be able to see from there?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add basic shapes (geometric, organic, free form) to tree for tree collages

2. Use design principles (composition, repetition, gradation) to fill in the positive space (trunk, branches, twigs) of tree collages

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add details (bark, hole, leave) to tree collages

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Alpine Trees for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (scissors, glue sticks, construction paper)

Lesson Activities 

1. Use earth tones (green blue brown) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the tree collages

2. Use earth tones (green blue brown) to fill in the negative space (background) of the tree collages

3. Add design details (birds owls bat) to the positive space (foreground) of the Alpine Trees

Artist Examples

Student Examples