Checkerboard Spiderwebs

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Checkerboard Spiderwebs using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), texture (implied, smooth), and shape (geometric, organic) based on Avant-Garde Artist (1911-2010) Louise Bourgeois
• Use science connections (life cycle, main insect parts, surroundings) and design principles (balance, proportion, variety) relating to African Folk Art
• Define Illusion (the technique of using realistic imagery to create the optical effect of depth)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Avante-Garde Artist (1911-2010) Louise Bourgeois

2. World's Largest Sculpture- Mayan (1999) Louise Borgeois

3. Read Famous Quote "The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread disease and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, like my mother."

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Use pencils to draw contour lines of positive space (insects, spider) onto drawing paper for the spiderweb drawings

3. Use permanent marker to outline the line types (contour, outline, continuous) of the Checkerboard Spiderwebs

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Checkerboard Spiderwebs for Assigned Tables

2. African Folklore & Culture- Anansi Spider

3. Discussion Questions "Why are insects so colorful? Which insects are bigger, the male or the female? What are some differences between moths and butterflies? What types of shapes can you use to break up the drawing? Which wings look transparent like you are looking through the wing of an insect? Where are spiders commonly found? How many legs does a spider have? How many body parts do spiders have? What is the smallest spider in the world? What is the most poisonous spider in North America?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and patterns (stripes, polka dots, waves) within the positive space (spider) of the spiderweb drawings

2. Use complementary colors (red, green; yellow, purple; blue, orange) to fill in the negative space (background) of the spiderwebs drawings

3. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the positive space (spider) of the Checkerboard Spiderwebs

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Checkerboard Spiderwebs for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (paintbrushes, water buckets, painting paper)

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (lightness, darkness) to add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the positive space (spider) of the spiderwebs drawings

2. Use value (lightness, darkness) to add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) to the negative space (background) of the spiderweb drawings

3. Use implied texture to add details (eyeballs, legs, designs) to the positive space (spider) of the Checkerboard Spiderwebs 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Mixed Media Beetles

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Mixed Media Beetles using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use analogous colors (red blue purple; green orange yellow), shape variation (geometric organic free form), and space (positive negative) inspired by French Artist (1902-1959) Germaine Richier
• Use mixed media techniques (collage layering printmaking) and design principles (repetition balance composition) based on the Avante Garde Movement
• Define Beetle (an insect with hard shelled wings and shiny pinchers)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Beetles (1951) Germaine Richier

2. Read A Beetle Is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston And Sylvia Long

3. Discussion Questions "What type of beetles are there? What is rubbing together body parts to create sound known as? What type of metamorphosis do beetles undergo? What is your favorite kind of beetle? What is the difference between bugs and insects? How long do bugs, spiders, and insects live? How many kinds of bugs are there? why do bugs have the selection on the outside? Do insects have brains? If so, how big are they? Why do bugs not come out in the winter? Do you have an insect for a pet? What was your favorite bug field trip? Do you think bugs and insects are interesting? Are there any bugs or insects you are afraid of? Do you know any interesting facts about bugs and insects? What is the strangest bug or insect you have seen? What kind of bugs and insects are dangerous? Why are bugs and insect so small? Have you ever seen a beetle?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to make a composition for the mixed media beetles

2. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to add the parts (wings, pinchers, legs) of the beetle for mixed media beetles

3. Add design details (eyes, patterns, wings) to positive space (beetle) of the mixed media beetles

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mixed Media Beetle For Assigned Table

2. Against Earth (1958) Germaine Richier

3. Discussion Questions "Why are insect so colorful? Which insects is bigger, the male or female? What are some differences between insects? Why are insects symmetrical? What is he out important part of the drawing? What types of shapes can you use to break up your drawing? Which wing looks transparent like you are looking through the wing of an insect? What does the beetle mean in Ancient Egypt? What colors are beetles? What color was commonly used to draw beetles? What is the meaning of a beetle?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (highlights, reflective light) to add contrast to positive space (beetle) of Mixed Media Beetles

2. Use value (cast shadow, shadow) to add contrast to negative space (background) of the Mixed Media Beetles

3. Use implied texture to add details (wings, pinchers, legs) to positive space (beetle) of the Mixed Media Beetles

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mixed Media Beetles For Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, pencils, erasers)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (red blue purple) to fill in the positive space (beetles) of Mixed Media Beetles

2. Use analogous colors (green orange yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of Mixed Media Beetles

3. Use metallic colors (gold silver bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (beetle) of the Mixed Media Beetles

Artist Examples

Student Examples