Saturday, February 21, 2026
CATCHING BUTTERFLIES COLLAGES
Catching Butterflies Collages
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Catching Butterflies Collages 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 German Illustrator (1647-1717) Maria Sibylla Merian
- Use collage techniques (juxtaposition, layering, composition, adhesive) and design principles (variation emphasis movement) based on Scientific Illustrations
- Define Illustration (a visual representation (drawing, painting, photograph, digital image) created to explain, interpret, decorate, or enhance text, concept, or process)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Merian's Branch Of West Indian Cherry With Achilles Morpho Butterfly (1702-1703) Maria Sibylla Merian
2. Read Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay
3. Discussion Questions "Did you know Merian traveled to Suriman with her daughter at the age of 52 to study tropical flora and fauna? Did you know she was the first artist to embark on a field excursion when these did not exist in science yet? Did you know her step father was the renowned still life painter Jacob Marrel? Do you think art, science, natural observation, and artistic intention work well together? Are there any aspects of her life and work that you find particularly remarkable? Did you know Merian was alive during the Dutch Golden Age? How do you think she was a successful artist despite many restrictions on women at the time? Did you know Merian funded her own artwork by selling her drawings, engravings, and books? Did you know Merian invented the field of ecology we know today? What advice do you think Merian would give young women considering science as a career path today?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose a butterfly reference photograph for the positive space (foreground, butterfly) of the Catching Butterflies Collages
2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in positive space (foreground, butterfly) of the Catching Butterflies Collages
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Catching Butterflies Collages
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Catching Butterflies Collages for Assigned Table
2. Butterfly Peacock Mirror On Forage Plant (1705) Maria Sibylla Merian
3. Discussion Questions "What medium do you think the illustrator used? Why do you think that they choose these colors? Is there a reason yellow is shown only on a couple of pages? Why do the colors change on this page when the main character is sad? Are all the lines in this book pointing in only one direction? Why are the lines pointing in one direction? How many patterns are on this single page? How can we care for our caterpillars and butterflies? Can you show me the flight path the butterfly took before it reached the net? Do you see any patterns or designs on the wings that might help the butterfly hide? What kind of background should we add to show where this butterfly lives- a garden, a river, or a mountain? What can you tell me about the person with the net- are they running fast or sneaking quietly? If your butterfly escaped the net, where is the first place it would fly too? How can we make both sides match like a mirror? Where does your butterfly go when it rains? Should we catch this butterfly to study in a journal or is it going to a special butterfly garden?"
Lesson Activities
1. Draw an outline of the selected butterfly reference for the positive space (foreground, butterflies) onto the watercolor paper
2. Use graphite techniques (engraving, carving, scratching) with a stylus to add highlights (light source, reflective light) to the Catching Butterflies Collages
3. Use graphite techniques (engraving, carving, scratching) with a stylus to add shadows (reflective light, cast shadow) to the Catching Butterflies Collages
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Catching Butterflies Collages for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, watercolor, paint brushes)
Lesson Activities
1. Use graphite techniques (carving, scratching, engraving) with a stylus to finish adding details (clouds, leaves, net) to the Catching Butterflies Collages
2. Add value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to the positive space (foreground, butterflies) of the Catching Butterflies Collages
3. Add details (clouds, leaves, nets) using illustrative techniques (hatching, stippling, cross hatching) to the final Catching Butterflies Collages
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
LUNA MOTHS AT NIGHT
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 
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