Magritte's Eye 

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Magritte's Eye using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) and space (positive, negative) inspired by Surrealist Artist (1898-1967) Rene Magritte
• Use drawing techniques (gesture, figure, contour) and design principles (composition, balance, proportion) based on Surrealism
• Define Juxtaposition (two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effects)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The False Mirror (1928) Rene Magritte

2. Read Magritte's Imagination by Susan Goodman Rubin 

3. Discussion Questions "What kinds of objects did Rene Magritte include in his artwork? Where were these objects placed in his artwork? What is the point of this artwork? Why are the clouds in the reflection of the eyes? What might have happened in this painting if three more were added? What is dream like about this artwork? Which painting did Rene Magritte see that sent his art in a new direction? In what category of art is Rene Magritte's work classified? What common household items is featured in Rene Magritte's paintings? What new style of painting did Rene Magritte adopt? Which eye-confusing artistic concept is being used in this painting?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper

2. Use pencil to draw shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) of face parts (nose, forehead, cheek) of eye drawing

3. Use pencil to draw shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) of eye parts (iris, pupil, eyelid, treat duck) of eye drawing

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Magritte's Eye for Assigned Table

2. Eye Color (1946) M.C. Escher

3. Discussion Questions "What makes these art pieces fit surrealism? What images seem dreamlike, fantasy, or relate to your own life? Who is the artist we are learning about? What do you think Rene Magritte was thinking when he painted The False Mirror? What do you think the title, The False Mirror, is supposed to tell us? Is the sky a reflection of what the eye is seeing? Is the eye in fact an opening into another reality? Are we looking at an inner vision or something else entirely? Did the artist draw the parts of the eye? What is surrealism? How can surrealism be incorporated into these drawings? What does that mean? How can we make the ordinary look extraordinary?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey) to fill in the positive space (eye) of the eye drawings 

2. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey) to fill in the negative space (facial feature) of the eye drawings

3. Use line types (horizontal, diagonal, vertical) to fill in the positive space (eye) with dreamlike imagery for Magritte's Eyes

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Magritte's Eyes for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (colored pencils, sharpeners, erasers)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to positive space (eye) of ones eye drawings

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of ones eye drawings

3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to ones Magritte's Eyes

Artist Examples

Student Examples