James Rizzi Cityscapes

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original James Rizzi Cityscape using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, intermediate), shape variation (geometric organic free form) and space (positive negative) inspired by Pop Artist (1950-2011) James Rizzi
• Use art element: line (expressive, directional, contour) and design principles (composition, gradation, proportion) based on Pop Art
• Define Cityscapes (the visual appearance of a city or urban area)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. City Of Dreams City of Dreams (1993) James Rizzi

2. Read The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Sol Barracca

3. Discussion Questions "Who is the artist that created this work? Which decade did the Pop Art Movement begin? What was special about James Rizzi's prints? What are we learning by doing this project? Did Rizzi ever do commercial work? What was one artist that inspired Rizzi? What setting was often in his artwork? What types of colors are featured in Pop Art? What animals can be found in his art? How did Rizzi come up with his three dimensional style of art? Which piece of artwork is the most famous? What type of artist was James Rizzi?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use pencil to draw basic shapes (geometric, rectangle, oval) of the buildings of ones expressive cityscapes

2. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to add details (facial features, windows, doors) to ones expressive cityscapes

3. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to add details (cloud formations, raised highway, sun) to negative space (background) of James Rizzi Cityscapes 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve James Rizzi Cityscapes for Assigned Table

2. Winter (1988) James Rizzi

3. Discussion Questions "Would you like living in a city? What are some of the advantages of living in a city? What are some disadvantages to living in a city? What is your favorite city to visit? What part of this city do you like the best? What do you think could be done to improve living conditions in the cities? What are some differences between living in the city and living in the country? If you had grown up in a different city how would your life have been different? What monuments of your city do you consider the most impressive? How would you describe the architecture in your city? What would you if you were in charge of the city? How would you improve it? What changes would you make? Would you enjoy designing a new city?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, intermediate) to fill in the positive space (buildings) of ones expressive cityscapes

2. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, intermediate) to fill in the negative space (background) of ones expressive cityscapes

3. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to fill in the positive space (buildings) with designs (facial features, windows, doors) for James Rizzi Cityscapes

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve James Rizzi Cityscapes for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, paintbrushes, oil pastel)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to positive space (buildings) of expressive cityscapes

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of expressive cityscapes

3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to James Rizzi Cityscapes

Artist Examples

Student Examples