Thursday, September 17, 2026
STACKED PUMPKINS
Stacked Pumpkins
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Stacked Pumpkins using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and texture (actual, visual, implied) inspired by American Artist (1981-Present) Stephanie Buscema
- Use painting techniques (impasto, alla prima, glazing, dry brush) and design principles (composition, movement, variation) based on American Art
- Define Overlapping (two or more things share the same space, time, or characteristics by partially covering or coinciding with each other)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. The Pumpkin Balloon (2018) Stephanie Buscema
2. Read The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz
3. Discussion Questions "How is his shape different from other pumpkins on the patch? How does the ugly pumpkin feel when people walk past him? How can you tell by looking at his face? Is your squash feeling lonely like the beginning of the book, or happy like the end? What shape should we make the mouth to show that? What is more exiting that all of our artwork looks different instead of exactly the same? What is something unique about you that makes you special? What is one specific detail that the artist added to their squash that you really like? How can artists use overlapping shapes to create the illusion of depth? How can artists arrange simple shapes to create an interesting composition? How can color, pattern, and value make pumpkins appear three-dimensional? How can artists turn simple pumpkins into expressive works of art?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, rectangle) to draw an assorted vegetable (pumpkin, gourd, squash) for the Stacked Pumpkins
2. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw the details (stems, leaves, wind) of the Stacked Pumpkins
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, pumpkin) of the Stacked Pumpkins
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Stacked Pumpkins for Assigned Tables
2. Spirit Of Autumn (2014) Stephanie Buscema
3. Discussion Questions "How does the pumpkin feel on the cover? Why do you think no one is picking him from the patch? Have you ever felt like you did not fit in? How is the main character's shape different from the other pumpkins? How did he feel when he was teased? How did he feel when he found his family? Just like the squash, what makes each of us unique and special? How can artists use shapes, colors, lines, and patterns to make a character unique? What could you change about a pumpkin to make it funny, silly, spooky, happy, or surprised? Can you create a pumpkin character that communicates a specific emotion without sharing the emotion? What is a squash, and why does this discovery make him happy? How can we use different colros to shaow all those unique bumps?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (stems, leaves, branches) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, pumpkin) of the Stacked Pumpkins
2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, pumpkins) with neutral colors (black, grey, white, brown) for the Stacked Pumpkins
3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black, grey, white, brown) for the Stacked Pumpkins
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Stacked Pumpkins for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, pencils, erasers, water buckets)
Lesson Activities
1. Add pumpkin parts (brown stem, green leaves, shell) with neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) for the Stacked Pumpkins
2. Use texture techniques (eraser, cloth, sponge) to add details (brown stem, green leaves, shell) to the Stacked Pumpkins
3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Stacked Pumpkins
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Monday, August 25, 2025
COW JUMPING OVER THE MOON COLLAGES
Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (warm colors, cool colors, neutral colors), value (lightness, darkness, tone), and texture (visual, actual, implied) inspired by American Author (1865-1919) Frank Baum
- Use collage techniques (juxtaposition, layering, composition) and design principles (variation, emphasis, movement) based on American Literature
- Define Material (the supplies used to create an artwork (paper, fabric, glitter, foil)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Study Of A Cow (1822-1899) Rosa Bonheur
2. Read The Cow Tripped Over The Moon by Tony Wilson
3. Discussion Questions "What do you think the cow looks like when it jumps over the moon? What kind of moon do you imagine it is? What do you win the cow was thinking before it jumped? What sound did the cow make as it went over the moon? What happened after the cow jumped over the moon? Where di the cow go next? If you could jump over the moon, what would be the first thing you would do? What would you need to build to help a cow jump over the moon? What would a cow need to survive in space? How would the cow get back down to earth? What other silly or impossible things happen in nursery rhymes? How might this nursery rhyme connect to other stories or poems you know?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose a cow reference photograph for the positive space (foreground, drawing, animal) of the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the positives space (foreground, animal, drawing) of the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the negative space (background, night sky, galaxy) of the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages for Assigned Tables
2. Sketches Of Cows (1865-1899) Rosa Bonheur
3. Discussion Questions "What materials and techniques need you use? What was challenging of rewarding about the process? Why did you choose these colors, shapes, lines, or textures? What was your inspiration for this artwork? How did you feel when making this artwork? How do you hope other will feel when they look at your work? What title would you give your artwork? Why would you give this title to your artwork? What would you change about your piece? Where would you like to display your artwork? What can you tell me about your artwork? What was your inspiration for this artwork? What did you struggle with as you were making this artwork? Where would you like to display your artwork?"
Lesson Activities
1. Draw a light outline of the selected cow reference for the positive space (foreground, drawing, animal) onto the watercolor paper
2. Use graphic techniques (engraving, carving, scratching) with a stylus to add highlights (light source, reflective light) to the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
3. Use graphic techniques (engraving, carving, scratching) with a stylus to add shadows (reflective light, cast shadow) to the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Cow Jumping Over Moon Collages for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, watercolor, glue sticks, foil, glitter)
Lesson Activities
1. Use graphic techniques (engraving, carving, scratching) with a stylus to finish adding details (clouds, stars, shooting stars) to the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
2. Add value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to the positive space (foreground, animal, drawing) of the Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
3. Add details (clouds, stars, shooting stars) using illustrative techniques (hatching, stippling, cross hatching) to the final Cow Jumping Over The Moon Collages
Artist Examples
Student Examples
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