Winter Lanterns

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Winter Lanterns using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric organic free form), color combinations (neutral colors, cool colors, monochromatic colors), and value (lightness, darkness, shadows, highlights) inspired by Post Impressionist (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Use core drawing techniques (scale, simple forms, spatial relationships, line stylization) and design principles (proportion, gradation contrast) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Chiaroscuro (the treatment of light and shade in a drawing or painting) 

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Terrance and Observation Deck at the Moulin de Blute-Fin, Montmartre (1887) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read The Shortest Day: Celebrating The Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer

3. Discussion Questions "How does art help us understand the lives of people of different times, places, and cultures? How is light used as an artistic medium in museums and public spaces? How do these illustrations transform a space and tell a story? What words would you use to describe the winter season? What kind of winter scene would you like to create for the lantern? Where will this lantern's light illuminate? Will the lantern illuminate inside of cozy room or within the dark of the night sky? Where does the light from the lantern travel? Does it go to the moon or through a neighbor's window? Why do streetlights exist? What is the purpose of a streetlight in our neighborhood? Why do people all over the world celebrate light during the longest night of the year? How is lighting a winter solstice lamp like sending a message of hope?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (thick, thin) to fill in the foreground (positive space, streetlamp), middle ground (berries, snowflakes, branches), and background (night sky) of the Winter Lanterns 

2. Use neutral colors (black, grey, brown, white) to fill in the positive space (street lamps, foreground) of the Winter Lanterns

3. Use monochromatic colors (light blue, dark blue, blue) for the negative space (background) of the Winter Lanterns  

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Winter Lanterns for Assigned Tables 

2. View Of Royal Road, Ramsgate (1876) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "Can you think of other holidays or traditions that use light to celebrate during the winter? As you look at your lamp, what are some wishes you have for the new year? What is something that brought your joy this year that you want to carry with you? Why do we need darkness, and what good things happen in the dark? What does the light from a lamp, candle, or bonfire symbolize? What colors did you choose for your lamp, and what do they make you think? How does the light of the lamp make you feel? What kind of pictures or shapes do you see when the light shines through the holes in the lamp? Have you ever noticed when the streetlights turn on? Do you think streetlights with special designs are made to be beautiful or give light to neighbors?"

 Lesson Activities

1. Use a ruler, compass, or straightedge to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, street lamps) of the Winter Lanterns

2. Add details (snowflakes, animals, abstract designs) to the negative space (background) of the Winter Lanterns

3. Use monochromatic colors (light blue, dark blue, blue) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Winter Lanterns 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Winter Lanterns for Assigned Tables 

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) within the positive space (foreground, middle ground, street lamps) of the Winter Lanterns

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadows, shadows) within the negative space (background) of the Winter Lanterns 

3. Add details (snowflakes, animals, abstract designs) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, street lamps) of the Winter Lanterns

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Van Gogh Leaf Prints

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Van Gogh Leaf Prints using painting techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and texture (visual, actual, implied) inspired by Dutch Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Use printmaking techniques (woodcut, etching, engraving, lithography) and design principles (repetition, variation, movement) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Stencil (a printing process by which areas are blocked out to keep ink from non-image areas)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Autumn Landscape (1885) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read Vincent And The Colors Of The Wind by Chiara Lossani

3. Discussion Questions "How does nature inspire artwork? Why did Van Gogh become an artist? How many paintings did Vincent Van Gogh sell during his lifetime? Was Vincent Van Gogh left-handed or right-handed? What type of paint did Vincent Van Gogh use? Why did Vincent Van Gogh want to live in Paris? Why is yellow so prominent in Vincent Van Gogh's paintings? How old was Vincent Van Gogh when he started painting? What style did Vincent Van Gogh paint in? How many paintings did Van Gogh sell in his lifetime? What is Post Impressionism? What are Vincent Van Gogh's most influential artworks? Why should artists study Van Gogh's artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use leaf templates (maple, clove, chestnut, hickory) to outline basic shapes (geometric, organic, free form) for leaf prints

2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the leaf prints

3. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the Van Gogh Leaf Prints

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Van Gogh Leaf Prints for Assigned Table

2. Falling Leaves (Les Alyscamps) (1888) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "What do you enjoy most about this painting? What do you like least about this painting? How would you do things differently? What other subjects could be painted in the post impressionism style? How did Vincent van Gogh use texture in his paintings? If you could ask Vincent Van Gogh one question, what would it have been? What is Vincent Van Gogh famous for? How does understanding the artist change our understanding of his paintings? What made Vincent Van Gogh unique? What can we learn from Vincent van Gogh? How did Vincent Van Gogh paint? Why did Vincent van Gogh begin painting? Why is Vincent Van Gogh important to art history? Why is Vincent Van Gogh considered one of the best painters the world has ever seen? What are the stylistic differences between Van Gogh's work? Which year was best for Van Gogh, in terms of his artwork? How long did it take Vincent van Gogh to complete a painting?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (leaf) of the leaf prints

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the leaf prints

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add patterns (dots, swirls, stripes) to the positive space (leaf) of the Van Gogh Leaf Prints

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Van Gogh Leaf Prints for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (foam plates, speed ball ink, brayers, rollers)

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add patterns (dots, swirls, stripes) to the negative space (background) of the leaf prints

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) with line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the leaf prints

3. Use color mixing techniques (blending, overlapping, contrasting) to fill in the positive space (leaf) of the Van Gogh Leaf Prints

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Clay Van Gogh Sunflower using ceramic techniques learned in class
• Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and texture (implied, actual, visual) inspired by Post Impressionist (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Use sculpture techniques (carving, modeling, assembling, casting) and design principles (gradation, composition, movement) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Relief (sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Still Life Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers (1888) Vincent Van Gogh 

2. Read Camille And The Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt

3. Discussion Questions "Why do the sunflowers look the way they do? How do sunflowers grow? When do sunflowers grow? What do you enjoy most about this painting? What do you like the least about this painting? How would you do things differently? What other subjects could be painted in the expressionistic style? How do these sunflowers look the same? What do each of the sunflowers look like? What colors do you notice are in these sunflower paintings? What are the parts of the sunflowers? How can artists add texture to sunflowers? How can artists use addictive and subtractive methods of clay work? How did Vincent Van Gogh use texture in his paintings?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Use slab method to form the basic shapes (circle, oval, rectangle) of the positive space (flower0 of the clay flowers

2. Use coil method to form the details (leaves, petals, center) of the positive space (flower) of the clay flowers

3. Use modeling tools (wooden chips, shells, pencils, clay stamps) to add an imprint to the outside of the Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers for Assigned Table 

2. Still Life With Two Sunflowers (1887) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "If you could ask Vincent Van Gogh one question, what would it have been? What is Vincent Van Gogh famous for? How does understanding the artist change our understanding of his paintings? What made Vincent Van Gogh unique? What can we learn from Vincent Van Gogh? How did Vincent Van Gogh paint? Why did Vincent Van Gogh begin painting? Why is Vincent Van Gogh important to art history? Why is Vincent Van Gogh considered one of the best painters the world has ever seen? What are the stylistic differences between Van Gogh's work? Which year was best for Van Gogh, in terms of his art? How long did it take Vincent Van Gogh to complete a painting?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add details (flowers, petals, leaves) to the positive space (flower) of the clay flowers 

2. Add imprints (swirls, stripes, shapes) to the negative space (background) of the clay flowers

3. Add embellishments (glitters, sequins, small beads, yarn) to the positive space (flower) and negative space (background) of the Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers for Assigned Table 

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, watercolor, water bucket)

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (flower) of the clay flowers

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the clay flowers 

3. Apply Gloss Finish to the positive space (plant proportions, features, accessories) of the Clay Van Gogh Sunflowers

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Crab Prints

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Crab Print using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and space (positive, negative) inspired by Post-Impressionist Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Use painting techniques (double loaded brush, absorption, palette) and design principles (balance, composition, gradation) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Still Life (placement or arrangement of visual elements in a work of art)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Two Crabs (1889) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read Crab Cake: Turning The Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumi

3. Discussion Questions "Why is Van Gogh considered a great artist? Why is Vancent Van Gogh's starry Night considered beautiful? WasVincent Van Gogh in complete control of his painting? Which piece of Vincent Van Gogh's artwork speaks out more to you? Which artworks did Vincent van Gogh sell in his lifetime? In what city did Van Gogh attend the Academy of Fine Art? Which artist is Van Gogh associated with? Which of these paintings shows the swirl technique Van Gogh used? What is this painting called?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper

2. Add three dimensional shapes (cylinder, pyramid, sphere) to the composition of arranged objects (fruits, dishes, fabric) of the still life works

3. Add horizon line to to the background (table, fruit, dishes) to separate the subject matter (crab) from the wallpaper of the Crab Prints

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Crab Prints for Assigned Table

2. A Crab On Its Back (1887) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "How have you used formal elements such as line, tone, color, and shape? What materials did you use and why? Did they work successfully? What meaning, theme, or message did you want to convey? Were you successful? Are you happy with your final piece? Are any elements or qualities you like in particular? Does your final work the way you thought it would initially? How effective is it? Is there anything you would change?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use earth tones (yellow brown green) to fill in the positive space (crab) of the still life works

2. Use earth tones (yellow brown green) to fill in the negative space (background) of the still life works

3. Use painting tools (brayer, palette knife, paint brush) to add patterns (floral, silk, wood) to the Crab Prints

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Crab Prints for Assigned Table

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the subject matter (fruit bowl, glassware, crab) of the still life works

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the still life works

3. Outline details (pattern, floral, objects) of the negative space (background) and middle ground (fabric, table) of the Crab Prints

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Alpine Trees

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Alpine Tree using collage techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive negative) inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Egon Schiele
• Use collage techniques (overlapping, layering, cropping) and design principles (composition, variation, proportion) based on Modern Art
•  Define Symbol (mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as a represented idea)

Lesson One

Day One, Art Start

1. Olive Tree With Yellow Sky And Sun (1889) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read The Night Before Christmas: A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

3. Discussion Questions "Which real life person is Santa Claus based on? What did you like best about meeting Santa? What was your favorite Christmas activity? What was your favorite present? Who did you spend Christmas Day with? What did you do together on Christmas? What do you love mom about Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas song? What do we celebrate Christmas? What part of the Christmas story do you like the most? What do you like most about Christmas? What is your favorite ornament on the tree and why? What do you think your Christmas tree would say if it could talk? What are you looking forward to about Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas tradition? What does Christmas mean to you? What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you have ever received? What is one word to describe last year?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Construction Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of tree compositions using drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smooth) for tree collages

3. Add details (leaves, acorn, hole) for the positive space (tree) of the tree collages

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Alpine Trees for Assigned Table

2. Autumn Landscapes With Four Trees (1885) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "What kind of tree is this? How old is the tree? What season is it? Has anyone tried cutting it down? What else grows nearby? Who waters the tree? Does the tree get enough sunlight? Is the tree healthy? What is a tree a symbol of? Where is the tree located? If you were in the picture, where would you be? Did you enjoy creating a tree that represented you? What makes a good scientific sketch? What details were important to include in each tree? How tall do you think the tree is? Have you noticed how different the forest looks through the different seasons? If you climbed to the top of that tree and looked around, what do you think you would be able to see from there?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add basic shapes (geometric, organic, free form) to tree for tree collages

2. Use design principles (composition, repetition, gradation) to fill in the positive space (trunk, branches, twigs) of tree collages

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smoothing) to add details (bark, hole, leave) to tree collages

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Alpine Trees for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (scissors, glue sticks, construction paper)

Lesson Activities 

1. Use earth tones (green blue brown) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the tree collages

2. Use earth tones (green blue brown) to fill in the negative space (background) of the tree collages

3. Add design details (birds owls bat) to the positive space (foreground) of the Alpine Trees

Artist Examples

Student Examples