Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use sharp variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and space (positive, negative) inspired by American Writer (1939-Present) Jane Yolen
- Use painting techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (composition, variation, proportion) based on The Scarecrow's Dance by Jane Yolen
- Define Silhouette (the image of person, animal, object, or scene represented as a single solid color)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Scarecrow and Rooster (1932) Alpha Andrews
2. Read The Scarecrow's Dance by Jane Yolen
3. Discussion Questions "What are scarecrows known for? Are you ready to celebrate the fall season? Did you know the first recorded scarecrow was by the Egyptians to protect their wheat fields from flocks of birds? Did you know in Medieval times, the scarecrow involved children running in the fields making loud noises to scare off birds? How do scarecrows help farmers in their gardens? What does fulfilling your responsibilities have on the lives of others? What do you know about scarecrows? What do scarecrows look like? What are scarecrows made of? Where would you find a scarecrow? What are scarecrows made of? Where would you find a scarecrow? Why is the purpose of a scarecrow? What feelings are evoked as you read about the scarecrow?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use three geometric shapes (rectangle, square, triangles) to create a three dimensional silhouette for the scarecrow paintings
2. Add details (plaid shirt, jean pants, straw, crows) to the positive space (scarecrow, silhouette) of the scarecrow paintings
3. Outline the positive space (scarecrow, silhouette) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Scarecrow Silhouette Painting for Assigned Tables
2. Old Scarecrow (1969) Werner Drewes
3. Discussion Questions "Is there more to this scarecrow than what we might assume? What is the scarecrow's behavior strange when the scared crow shows up? Why do the scarecrow and the crow make the oddest friends? How does the scarecrow feel when the crow is able to fly away? How do the cold, dark days of winter mirror the scarecrow's demeanor, feelings, and body language? What is the significance of the scarecrow and the crow reunion? How does the scarecrow's character transform from the beginning to the end of the story? What does this story teach us about assumptions and the ability to change?"
Lesson Activities
1. Add details (fence, barn, windmill) to the negative space (background, landscape) of the scarecrow paintings
2. Use neutral colors (black, grey, white) to outline the details (fence, barn, windmill) of the scarecrow paintings
3. Use earth tones (brown, tan, orange, yellow) to the negative space (background, landscape) of the Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paintbrushes, water buckets, oil pastels)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the positive space (scarecrow) of the scarecrow paintings
2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) to the negative space (background) of the scarecrow paintings
3. Add details (crows, moon, wind lines) to the negative space (background) of the Scarecrow Silhouette Paintings
Artist Examples
Student Examples
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