MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

 Chinese New Year Dragons

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Chinese New Year Dragons using painting techniques learned in class
• Use metallic colors (gold, silver, bronze), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive, negative) inspired by Chinese Painter (1235-1266) Chen Rong
• Use drawing techniques (gesture, sketch, outline) and design principles (composition, gradation, repetition) based on Asian Art
• Define Mythology (collection of stories belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. A Dragon Emerging From The Clouds (1201) Chen Rong 

2. Read Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year by Joan Holub

3. Discussion Questions "What is the Chinese New Year called? What animal does the dragon have based on Chinese mythology? Which dynasty in China does the dragon dance date back from? Why do people welcome the Dragon Dance? Which style of dragon dance has the most decorative dragon? What do different Chinese dragons symbolize? How do you say 'red dragon' in Mandarin Chinese? What is the world record for the longest dragon? Why are Chinese Dragons important to Chinese culture?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper 

2. Add line types (contour, outline, perspective) to positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

3. Outline line types (contour, outline, perspective) with neutral colors (black, grey, brown) for the positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chinese New Year Dragons for Assigned Tables

2. Nine Dragons (1201) Chen Rong 

3. Discussion Questions "What is the difference between a myth and a legend? What adjectives would you use to describe the Chinese Dragon? Do you have a story about a dragon in your culture? How is the New Year celebrated in the Chinese Culture? Why is the Chinese New Year important? How long does the Chinese New Year celebration last? Have you ever been to a parade? Did the artist choose and use the proper method of construction that would work best for their dragon? Is the basic structure of the dragon formed properly? Do the walls have a consistent thickness throughout the piece? Are the dragons' features joined together using an assemblage method? What is hidden in the depths of the ocean?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons 

2. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

3. Use embellishments (plastic eyes, bubble wrap, brown paper) to fill in the positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chinese New Year Dragons for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paint brushes, water buckets)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Chinese New Year Dragons

3. Add details (whiskers, spots, eyelashes) to the positive space (dragon) of the Chinese New Year Dragons 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Ceramic Chinese Terracotta Warriors

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Chinese Terracotta Warrior using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use metallic colors (copper, bronze, gold), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and form (two dimensional, three dimensional) inspired by Armies of Qin She Haung the First Emperor of China
• Use clay techniques (slab method, coil method, pinch pot) and design principles (balance, proportion, harmony) based on Ancient Art
• Define Artifact (a cultural or historical interest object made by a human being)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Xi'an Mausoleum (1987) World Heritage Site
2. Read The Emperor's Silent Army by O'Connor
3. Discussion Questions "What are Terracotta Warriors made of? How were the Terracotta Warriors made? How were the Terracotta Horses made? How much clay did the Chinese use to make one Terracotta Warrior? How big were the firing kilns? Why did the faces of the Terracotta armor and hair look so different? How long did it take of the Terracotta Army to be complete? What do you think he daily life of the First Emperor might look like? Why type of ruling systems in place? What is a legacy? Which of his ideas do you think are still in place today? Who were the builders that created his Terracotta Army? How many builders were there, and how did they become chosen for the job? What are the soldiers made of, and how did they look different in the First Emperor's time than today? What was the method for producing so many Terracotta soldiers so quickly?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Mold clay into basic shapes (body parts, armor parts, pedestal) of Chinese Terracotta Warriors
2. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to basic shapes (pedestal, body parts, armor parts) of Chinese Terracotta Warriors
3. Use needle tool to draw facial features (eyebrows, facial hair, scars) of the Chinese Terracotta Warrior

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Chinese Terracotta Warriors for Assigned Table
2. Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China by Cincinnati Art Museum Exhibition
3. Discussion Questions "Where were the Terracotta Warriors discovered? When were the Terracotta Warriors discovered? When were Berthe solders built, and how long did it take? What is the subject of the photograph (above)? Who was the First Emperor? How does this tomb differ from others? What do you think the farmers unearthed? What is an emperor or an empress? Why would the emperor want a silent army? What is Terracotta? What does an archaeologist do? What did you learn about the discovery of the Terracotta Army in China? How did you make it so that it will protect someone?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add facial features (nostrils, eyelids, lips) within the facial features of the Chinese Terracotta Warrior
2. Add details (armor, necklace, shoes) within the basic shapes (pedestal, body parts, armor parts) of the Chinese Terracotta Warrior
3. Use modeling tools (brush, grips, saddle) to smooth out basic shapes (pedestal, body parts, armor parts) of the Chinese Terracotta Warrior

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Chinese Terracotta Warriors for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, needle tools, placemats)

Lesson Activities

1.  Add metallic paint (bronze, copper, gold) to positive space (armor, weapons, shoes) of ceramic work
2. Add metallic paint (bronze, copper, gold) to negative space (facial features) of ceramic work
3. Apply Gloss Finish to facial proportions, armor parts, and accessories of Ceramic Chinese Terracotta Warriors

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Line Lanterns

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Line Lantern using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), space (positive, negative), and form (cylinder, cube, cone) inspired by Traditional Art of Lantern Festivals
• Use sculpture techniques (carving, assembling, modeling) and design principles (proportion, balance, harmony) based on World Art
• Define Chinese New Year (the first day of the lunar year and biggest holiday celebration among Chinese People)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Xi'an City Wall Lantern Show
2. Read Floating Lanterns and Golden Shrines: Celebrating Japanese Festivals by Rena Kranso
3. Discussion Questions "Can you point to a positive shape? Can you point to a negative shape? Can you make your eyes switch between the positive and negative shapes? How are the positive and negative shapes the same? How is Chinese New Year similar or different than how we celebrate the New Year in America? How do you celebrate the new year? What kind of foods do you eat? Do you have any special family traditions? Do you stay up until midnight? Can you guess which creatures of the zodiac are the most important symbols of the Chinese New Year?"

Lesson Activities:

1. Cut long paper strips for handle of lantern to attach to top of rectangle paper
2. Cut crosswise strips on rectangle sheet of paper for middle of rectangle paper
3. Loop paper to form a tube by attaching short ends with glue of Line Lantern

Day Two, Art Start

1.  Retrieve Line Lantern for Assigned Table
2. Read Chinese New Year's Dragon Teacher Guide. In Multicultural Celebrations by Modern Curriculum Press
3. Discussion Questions "When is the Chinese New Year? What is the weather like during the festival? Where do people go? What do they do and what do they eat? Do you like festivals? Why is the Chinese New Year important? What does the Chinese New Year symbolize? What happens on the Chinese New Year? Why is the Chinese New Year celebrated for fifteen days? What is the story behind the Chinese New Year? What is good luck on Chinese New Year? Why do the Chinese wear red?" 

Lesson Activities:

1. Slip colored tube to top and bottom edges of crosswise strip tube of Line Lantern
2. Thread string through holes and tie knot at bottom of Line Lantern
3. Add crepe paper or paper streamers to bottom edge of Line Lantern 

Day Three, Art Start

1.Retrieve Line Lantern for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, construction paper, embellishments)

Lesson Activities:

1. Add designs (symbolic writing, Chinese Lunar Calendar, zen principles) to positive space (outside) of Line Lantern
2. Add designs (symbolic writing, Chinese Lunar Calendars, zen principles) to negative space (inside) of Line Lantern
3. Add embellishments (gold glitter, gold marker, sequins, rhinestones) to positive space (outside) of Line Lantern

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

Ceramic Chinese Dragons

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create a Chinese Dragon using ceramic techniques learned in class
• Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), texture (scales, feathers), and traditional colors (white, red, yellow, gold) inspired by California Artist (1957-Present) Jeff Nishinaka, Chinese Photographer (1959-2013) Den Wei Wei, and Contemporary Painter (1919-2010) Wu Da Dei
• Use hand building techniques (slab method, coil method) and design principles (balance, composition, proportion) relating to Contemporary Art Movements
• Define Figurine (a small carved human or animal statue)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Imperial Dragon (2013) Jeff Nishinaka
2. Read Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
3. Discussion Questions "Did the artist choose and use the proper method of construction that would work best for their dragon? Is the basic structure of the dragon formed properly? Do the walls have a consistent thickness throughout the piece? Are the dragons' features joined together using a slip and score method? What is hidden in the depths of the ocean?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use coil construction to make the animal torso (stomach, back, tail) of ceramic work
2. Use needle tool to add animal parts (legs, wings, horns) of ceramic work
3. Use slip & score method to add facial proportions (nose, eyes, mouth, head) of Chinese Dragon

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Chinese Dragon for Assigned Table
2. Watch Dragon Dance Excerpt Dragon 2000
3. Discussion Questions "What is the difference between a myth and a legend? What adjectives would you use to describe the Chinese Dragon? Do you have a story about a dragon in your culture? How is the New Year celebrated in the Chinese Culture? Why is the Chinese New Year important? How long does the Chinese New Year celebration last? Have you ever been to a parade?"

Lesson Activities

1.  Use hand building techniques (slab method, coil method) to add details (whiskers, horns) to ceramic work
2. Add texture (feathers, scales) to animal torso (stomach, back, tail) of ceramic work
3. Add base (mountain range, wind, clouds) to bottom of Ceramic Chinese Dragon

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Chinese Dragon for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, rubber mat, needle tools)

Lesson Activities

1. Add watercolor paint to positive space (animal parts, facial features, details) of ceramic work
2. Add watercolor paint to negative space (mountain range, clouds, wind) of ceramic work
3. Apply Gloss Finish to facial features, animal parts, and flat base of Ceramic Chinese Dragon

Artist Examples

Student Examples