Charcoal Pumpkins

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Charcoal Pumpkin using collage techniques learned in class
• Use neutral colors (black, grey, white), shape variation (geometric organic), and value (lightness darkness) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1929-Present) Yayoi Kusama
• Use drawing techniques (blending, smearing, smudging) and design principles (movement proportion repetition) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Infinity Nets (a painting composed of tiny dots and marks)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Pumpkin (1990) Yayoi Kusama

2. Read Yayoi Kusama From Here To Infinity by Sarah Suzuki

3. Discussion Questions "Who is Yayoi Kusama? What was the reaction from her family about her interest in becoming an artist? What kind of art is she known for? Why do viewers enjoy going to the museum to see her work? What disease did Yayoi Kusama Suffer from when she was a child? What element of art did she use when creating her artwork? What does the symbolism of the pumpkin in Kusama's art represent? When did Yayoi Kusama move to get her start as an artist? Which work of art was created by Yayoi Kusama?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw an assorted vegetable (pumpkin, onion, squash) for the pumpkin drawings

2. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw details (stem, leaves, table) of the pumpkin drawings

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (pumpkin) and details (stem, leaves, table) of the Charcoal Pumpkins

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Charcoal Pumpkins for Assigned Table

2. Pumpkin (2012) Yayoi Kusama 

3. Discussion Questions "How does a pumpkin feel? Is a pumpkin hard, soft or slimy? What does a pumpkin smell like? Can you hear anything? Do you think we can eat this pumpkin? Does it remind you of anything else you have smelled or touched before? What color is the pumpkin? What color are the seeds? What is inside of a pumpkin? What is on the outside of a pumpkin? What can we learn from pumpkins?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (stems leaves table) to the positive space (pumpkin) of the pumpkin drawings

2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (pumpkin) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the pumpkin drawings

3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the pumpkin drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Charcoal Pumpkin for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (construction paper, oil pastels, charcoal)

Lesson Activities

1. Add pumpkin parts (brown stem, green leaves, shell) with neutral colors (black white grey) for pumpkin drawings

2. Use texture techniques (eraser, cloth, sponge) to add details (stem, leaves, table) to the pumpkin drawings

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Charcoal Pumpkins

Artist Examples

Student Examples