MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

Luna Moths At Night

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Luna Moths At Night using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (glow in the dark, neutral colors, cool colors), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, shadows, highlights) inspired by England Artist (1963-Present) Sarah Gillespie
• Use printmaking techniques (relief stencil etching dry point) and design principles (composition proportion variation) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Glow In The Dark (a special paint or materials that absorb light to release as a visible glow when placed in the dark)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Black Arches Moth (The Nun) (2020) Sarah Gillespie 

2. Read The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

3. Discussion Questions "Do you know Luna Moths only take flight at night, making them a rare and magical sight? Did you know Luna Moths are the largest moths in North America? Did you know adult moths only live a week and have no mouths? Can you imagine what the moth would look like flying at night? If you could have a moth as a pet, what would you do with it? What if this moth could glow in the dark? What color would it glow? Where do you think your moth lives? When you look at the moth's body, what does the texture (fluffy, smooth) look like? What kind of magical place does your Luna Moth live in such a secret garden, treasure grove, or magical forest? What adventures does the moth go on when everyone else is sleeping? Does the moth dance with fireflies or visit the moon?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12 X 15 Painting Paper 

2. Use neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) to draw line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) for the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

3. Use neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) for the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Luna Moths At Night from Assigned Tables 

2. Clouded Magpie (2024) Sarah Gillespie

3. Discussion Questions "What are the circles on the wings for? Are the fake eyes to trick a bat, or can the moth see out of them? Can the feathery antennae of the moth feel moonbeams? What is the best halloween treat that your moth can find? What kind of costume is your moth wearing for halloween? What kind of magic dust in the wings of your moth made from? If your moth could talk, what kind of stories would it tell? What does your moth see when it flutters around the pumpkin patch at night? Does your moth have a secret pattern on its wings that only appears in the moonlight? What if your moth was a king or queen of all other moths? What kind of ruler would it be? If your moth could change its colors what would it change them to?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Add line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

2. Use color combinations (cool colors, analogous colors, iridescent colors) for the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

3. Use color combinations (cool colors, analogous colors, iridescent colors) for the negative space (background) of the moth paintings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Luna Moths At Night for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, tempera paint, paint brushes, glue sticks) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) for the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings

2. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) for the negative space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

3. Use texture (actual, visual, implied) to add details (wings, antennas, whiskers) to the positive space (foreground, moth) of the moth paintings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

 Firefly Jar Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Firefly Jar Paintings using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (metallic, glow in the dark, secondary), shape variation (geometric, organic, freeform), and space (positive, negative) inspired by Edo, Meiji, And Tashio Period
• Use painting techniques (underpainting, dry brush, blending, layering) and design principles (composition, proportion, repetition) based on Asian Art
• Define Luminosity (the illusion of light from within the painting)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Searching For Fireflies (1768) Suzuki Harunobu

2. Read The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

3. Discussion Questions "When do fireflies come out? What do we see in the summer night? What happens when you try to catch a firefly? Why do fireflies light up? What do fireflies eat? Do you call them fireflies or lightning bugs? Why do fireflies only appear on hot summer nights? Why do some people call the insects fireflies bugs or lightning bugs? How many fireflies did you find? When did they start to show up before or after dusk? Were the fireflies flying or sitting on something? Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? What is the story being told, if any? How might you feel differently about the world after looking at this artwork? What dose this artwork say about the culture in which it was produced? What does this artwork tell us about the past?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to make a composition for the fireflies paintings

2. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping to add parts (wings, legs, lightbulb) to the positive space (fireflies) of the fireflies paintings

3. Add design details (eyes, patterns, wings) to the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Firefly Jar Paintings for Assigned Tables

2. Woman And Child Catching Fireflies (1793) Eishosai Choki

3. Discussion Questions "What was happening in history when this artwork was made? How does this change your understanding of the artwork? What are the values and beliefs of the culture in which this artwork was made? How might your interpretation of this artwork be different from someone in another culture? If you could ask this artwork a question, what would you ask it? What does this artwork teach us about the future? How can you connect this artwork to your own life? How does this title contribute to your understanding of the meaning? How did the artist use line, shape, and color to contribute to the mood or meaning of the artwork? What do you think happened before this scene? What do you think happened next? What do you think the artist is trying to say in this artwork? What is the meaning or message? How does your eye move through the artwork? What choices did the artist make to make that happen?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (highlights, reflective light, cast shadow) to add contrast to the positive space (foreground) of the fireflies paintings

2. Use value (cast shadow, shadow, highlights) to add contrast to the negative space (background) of the fireflies paintings

3. Use texture (actual, visual, implied) to add details (wings, legs, lightbulb) to the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Firefly Jar Paintings for Assigned Tables

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

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (glow in the dark, metallic, secondary) to fill in the positive space (fireflies) of the fireflies paintings

2. Use color combinations (glow in the dark, metallic, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the fireflies paintings

3. Use metallic colors (gold, silver, bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Glow In The Dark Symmetrical Insects

Learning Targets

• Create an imaginary symmetrical insect using line (vertical, parallel), analogous colors (red, yellow, orange), and organic shapes (wings, antennas, horns) inspired by American Artist (1928-1987) Andy Warhol
• Use design principles (balance, rhythm, movement) relating to the Pop Art Movement
• Define Symmetry (same on both sides)

Day One, Art Start

2. Read The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

3. Discussion Questions "Why are insects so colorful? Which insects is bigger, the male or female? What are some differences between moths and butterflies? Why are insects symmetrical? What is the most important part of a painting? Why types of shapes can you use to break up your drawing? Which wing looks transparent like you're looking through the wing of an insect?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to create patterns within the insect template
2. Use analogous colors (green, yellow, orange) to fill in the positive space of their insect
3. Use analogous colors (green yellow orange) to fill in the negative space of their insect

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Symmetrical Insect for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water bucket, painting paper)

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (highlights, reflective light) to add contrast to positive space of Symmetrical Insects
2. Use value (cast shadow) to add contrast to negative space of Symmetrical Insects 
3. Use implied texture to add details (wings, antennas, whiskers) to Symmetrical Insects

Artist Examples

Student Examples