MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

Snowmen Portraits

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Snowmen Portraits using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shades) inspired by American Illustrator (2001-Present) Stephen Gilpin
• Use mathematical concepts (counting, cumulative addition, mental math, grouping) and design principles (movement, repetition, gradation) based on Children's Literature
• Define Portrait (an intentional representation of a living or once living person -or group of people- where the face and its expression are the focus)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Seven Snowmen (2013) Stephen Gilpin

2. Read "100 Snowmen" by Jen Arena 

3. Discussion Questions "How many snowmen were there by the end of the story? Can you try counting all the way to 100 by tens? At the beginning, did you notice that more snowmen joined in? What started happening to the groups of snowmen about halfway through the book? When looking at the big picture with all the 100 snowmen, can you find a snowman wearing a funny hat? Can you find the ones playing hide-and-seek? Did you notice the snowmen did many winter activities? Can you name three different active things the snowmen did in the snow? Could real snowmen slide down hills, laugh, and play hide-and-seek? Does that make this story fiction (made-up) or nonfiction (real)? If you were one of the snowmen in this book, which group would you want to join? Have you ever built a real snowman? If you could build 100 snowmen in your yard, what would you dress them in?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use cool colors (blue, green, purple) to draw the negative space (background, snow) of the Snowmen Portraits

2. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits

3. Use neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) to draw the accessories (ugly sweater, scarf, reindeer antlers, hat) in the positive space (snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Snowmen Portraits for Assigned Tables

2. 100 Snowmen (2013) Stephen Gilpin

3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice about the snowmen on the cover? Do you think all 100 snowmen will look exactly the same? How could an artist make one snowman look different from another? What do you think makes a snowman look like a snowman? How many different snowman do you think you could create? Can you find a snowman that looks happy, silly, surprised, or serious? What could you add to tell us something about your snowman? If you had to create the 101st snowman, what would it look like? What make your snowman different from your classmates snowmen? Why might an artist choose to repeat the same subject many times? Which classmates snowman has an interesting artistic choice, and what do you notice about it?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the negative space (background, snow) of the Snowmen Portraits

2. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits

3. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the accessories (ugly sweater, scarf, hat) in the positive space (snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Snowmen Portraits for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (washable markers, erasers, pencils, gel pens)

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous colors, warm colors, cool colors) to paint the negative space (background) of the Snowmen Portraits 

2. Use color combinations (analogous colors, warm colors, cool colors) to paint the positive space (foreground, middle ground, snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits

3. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to paint the positive space (foreground, middle ground, snowmen) of the Snowmen Portraits 

Artist Examples

Student Examples