Thursday, October 29, 2026
HEART LOLLIPOPS
Heart Lollipops
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Heart Lollipops using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (warm/cool colors, analogous colors, monochromatic), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shades) inspired by American Artist (1920-2021) Wayne Thiebaud
- Use observational drawings (proportions, perspective, sighting, quality) and design principles (composition, proportion, balanced) based on American Art
- Define Subject Matter (the visual material, object, person, place, or event that the artwork depicts)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Seven Suckers (1920) Wayne Thiebaud
2. Read Henry's Lollipop by Robert Quackenbush
3. Discussion Questions "What makes a candy look real or shiny in a painting? How did Wayne Thiebaud make a flat piece of candy look like it has weight, roundness, and a halo of bright light? How does the artist make these candies look real enough to eat? How can artists turn an everyday object into an interesting work of art? Can you think of an artist that uses everyday objects in artwork? How can you make your lollipop large enough to become the focal point? Which colors remind you of Valentines Day? How can artists use color, shape, and pattern to express love and kindness through art? How can we make our artwork unique while exploring a shared theme? What flavor or color makes you think of love and happiness? Do you want think to look like a tiny candy or a giant cartoon heart? How does liquid sugar turn into a hard candy stick?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use graphite pencil to draw shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) for the positive space (foreground, middle ground, lollipop) of the Heart Lollipops
3. Use graphite pencil to draw line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) for the positive space (foreground, middle ground, lollipop) of the Heart Lollipops
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Heart Lollipops for Assigned Tables
2. Little Red Suckers (1971) Wayne Thiebaud
3. Discussion Questions "What types of lollipops are there? Where are these lollipops? How are the lollipops displayed? How is the painting drawn? How many layers does this lollipop consist of? Which of the choices below are the smallest lollipops? What types of lollipops do you like? What is the shape of your lollipops? How would you decorate your lollipop? What colors are used for this type of lollipop? What materials did Wayne Thiebaud use? Who was Wayne Thiebaud influenced by? What color schemes does he use analogous, complementary, or secondary? How do you think these lollipops would feel? How do the shadows help this artwork to look real? What is the painting about? What is the mood in this artwork?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, lollipops) with color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) for the Heart Lollipops
2. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) for the Heart Lollipops
3. Add details (background, decorations, wallpaper) to the negative space (background) of the Heart Lollipops
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Heart Lollipops for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paintbrushes, tempera paint, water buckets, crayons)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light, highlight) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, lollipops) of the Heart Lollipop
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow, shadows) to the negative space (background) of the Heart Lollipop
3. Add embellishments (glitter, beads, ribbons) to details (background, decorations, wallpaper) of the Heart Lollipops
Artist Examples
Student Examples
LOVE BUG DESIGNS
Love Bug Designs
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Love Bugs using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (warm/cool colors, analogous colors, monochromatic colors), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1993-Present) Alake Shilling
- Use mixed media techniques (collage, assemblage, layering, stamping, texturizing) and design principles (composition, variation, proportion) based on Contemporary Art
- Define Symmetry (a style of balance where two halves or sides of an artwork match each other like a mirror reflection)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Tender Lady Bug Holding A Heart As Big As Its Sneakers (2023) Alake Shilling
2. Read The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
3. Discussion Questions "How can artists use their imagination to change the appearance of an insect? Why do artists make different choices when creating artwork about the same subject? How can we create a love bug that represents a positive message? How can we use color to express love, happiness, and friendship? How do artists use shapes, colors, and patterns to create an imaginary love bug? How can artists use patterns and symmetry to create interesting designs? How can lines, shapes, and colors communicate feelings? What is the name of your love bug? What are your love bugs favorite thing to do? What special power does your love bug have to spread kindness and love? Who is someone special in your life that this love bug reminds you of? How do our design choices help tell about what our bug is like?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use drawing techniques (layering, overlapping, cropping) to fill in the positive space (foreground, composition, bug) of the Love Bug Designs
2. Use drawing techniques (layering, overlapping, cropping) to add the parts (wings, pinchers, legs, designs) of the Love Bug Designs
3. Add design details (eyes, patterns, wings, legs) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, composition, bug) of the Love Bug Designs
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Love Bug Designs for Assigned Tables
2. Totally Fungi (2024) Alake Shilling
3. Discussion Questions "Why do you think insects are so colorful? Which insect is bigger, the male or the female? What are some differences between insects? Why are insects symmetrical? What is the important part in this drawing? Why types of shapes can you use to break up your drawing? Which wing looks transparent like you are look through the wing of the insect? What is the difference between bugs and insects? How long do bugs, spiders, and insects live? How many kinds of bugs are there? Why do bugs have the skeleton on the outside? Do you think bugs and insects are interesting? Are there any bugs or insects you are afraid of? Do you know any interesting facts about bugs and insects? What is the strangest bug or insect you have seen? What kind of bugs and insects are dangerous? Why are bugs and insects so small? Have you ever seen a ladybug?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use value (highlights, reflective light, cast light) to add contrast to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, bug) of the Love Bug Designs
2. Use value (cast shadow, shadow, reflective shadow) to add contrast to the negative space (background) of the Love Bug Designs
3. Use texture (actual, visual, implied) to add details (wings, pinchers, legs) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, bug) of the Love Bug Designs
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Love Bug Designs for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paintbrushes, pencils, erasers)
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (warm/cool colors, analogous colors, monochromatic colors) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, bugs) of the Love Bug Designs
2. Use color combinations (warm/cool colors, analogous colors, monochromatic colors) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Love Bug Designs
3. Use metallic colors (gold silver bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (foreground, middle ground, bug) of the Love Bug Designs
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Thursday, October 1, 2026
WINTER VALUE PAINTINGS
Winter Value Paintings 
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Winter Value Paintings using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (neutral, monochromatic, grayscale), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, tonal, tints, shades) inspired by American Photographer (1902-1984) Ansel Adams
- Use photography techniques (exposure, dynamic, speed, rule of thirds) and design principles (movement, composition, emphasis) based on American Conservation Movement
- Define Tonal (the lightness or darkness of a color or area called value)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Young Oaks In Snow (1938) Ansel Adams
2. Read First Edition Trees: Ansel Adams by Ansel Adams
3. Discussion Questions "How does an artist create a feeling of mood and drama without using any color? What words (cold, bright, majestic, silent) come to mind when you look at this snow? Why would capturing the beauty of nature might make people want to protect it? How did Ansel Adams use his art to show love and protection for nature? How does looking at a winter landscape make you feel? How can we arrange our trees so that some look very close to us (foreground) and others look far away (background)? How did limiting your palette to just values (black, white, grey) change how you focused on the textures (trees, snow, bark) in the value painting? In what ways did your painting capture the grand, powerful feeling of nature that Ansel Adams loved?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use ruler, compass, or straightedge to draw the scenery (background, foreground, middle ground) of the Winter Value Paintings
2. Add details (buildings, animals, plants) within the positive space (foreground, trees) and scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Paintings
3. Use permanent marker to outline the positive space (foreground, trees) and scenery (middle ground, background, foreground) of the Winter Value Paintings
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Winter Value Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Oak Tree, Snowstorm (1948) Ansel Adams
3. Discussion Questions "Why might an artist choose to work outside? What mood do you feeling when looking at Ansel Adams' black and white photographs? Why do you think Ansel Adams chose to focus so deeply on nature and national parks? Where do you see the brightest whites and the darkest blacks in the snowy landscapes? How does light change the way the tree trunk looks when it is covered in snow? How can you use brushstrokes to show the texture of rough bark versus soft, fluffy snow? What happens to your horizon line when you want to show a vast, heavy winter sky versus a massive blanket of snow? How does removing color help us notice details like texture, shape, and light that we might normally ignore? Do you think Ansel Adams work was purely about documenting nature, or was he trying to tell a story?"
Lesson Activities
1. Add patterns (swirls, clouds, stripes, stars) to the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Paintings
2. Use color combinations (monochromatic, analogous, neutral) to fill in the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Landscapes
3. Use color combinations (monochromatic, analogous, neutral) to fill in the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Landscapes
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Winter Value Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paintbrushes, tempera paint, water buckets, pencils)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source, cast light) within the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Landscapes
2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) within the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Landscapes
3. Add details (animals, buildings, people) within the scenery (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Winter Value Landscapes
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
ELF PORTRAITS
Elf Portraits
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Elf Portrait 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 American Illustrator (1983-Present) Mary Engelbreit
- Use portrait styles (profile, three-quarter, full face, self-portrait) and design principles (repetition, contrast, balance) based on American Art
- Define Portrait (a picture, painting, photograph, or sculpture of a person that focuses mainly on face and expression)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Merry Mushroom Elf (2002) Mary Engelbreit
2. Read "How To Catch An Elf" by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
3. Discussion Questions "What do you know about Christmas? What patterns did you use to create the background of your artwork? What did you add to the clothing to make it appear like it belonged to an elf? What emotions (joy, anger, sadness, gear, surprise) do you feel when you look at your artwork? Why would you make a good elf? What do you notice about an elf's clothing, hat, and shoes? How can we make our elf look unique instead of making every elf the same? How can you use art elements (line, shape, pattern) to decorate an elf? What could you add to the background to tell a story? How could using different colors (warm colors, cool colors, complementary colors) change the personality of the elf? How can artists use line, shape, color, pattern, and imagination to create a unique character? How can artists use facial expressions and body positions to communicate emotion?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use graphite pencil to draw line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of facial proportions (head, face, shoulder) of the Elf Portraits
3. Use graphite pencil to add facial features (eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, portrait) of the Elf Portraits
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Elf Portraits For Assigned Tables
2. Christmas Mischief (2023) Mary Engelbreit
3. Discussion Questions "Do you think this artwork is a self-portrait? How does this portrait make you feel? Are you interested in the portrait? Do you like the way the artist has arranged the picture? Do you like the way the artist has shown details? What is a portrait? What does the picture tell you about the time that the subject was made? How do you think the artist felt about the person he or she painted? How do you think the person in this picture is feeling? What is the mood of the person in this picture? Are the lines in the portrait straight or curved? How often does the artist repeat certain colors or shapes within the portrait? What does the background and the objects in the background of the picture tell us? How much space has the artist left around the person? What view of the person is pictured?"
Lesson Activities
1. Add adornments (earrings, jewelry, hairstyles, clothing) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, portrait) of the Elf Portraits
2. Add costumes (jewelry, clothing, make up) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, portrait) of the Elf Portraits
3. Use black sharpie marker to outline the facial features (eyes, nose, mouth, ears) and facial proportions (head, face, shoulder) of the Elf Portraits
Day Three, Art Start
Retrieve Elf Portraits for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, markers, crayons)
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, portrait) of the Elf Portraits
2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Elf Portraits
3. Use value (lightness, darkness) to add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) and highlights (reflective light, light source) to the Elf Portraits
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Thursday, September 24, 2026
KINDERGARTEN KITTENS
Kindergarten Kittens
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Kindergarten Kitten using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and space (positive, negative) inspired by British Illustrator (2009-Present) Angie Rozelaar
- Use pattern (geometric, floral, plaid, check, motifs) and design principles (repetition, movement, contrast) based on Illustration
- Define Pattern (a deliberate design created by repeating lines, shapes, forms, colors, or textures in a predictable and recognizable sequence)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Cozy Kitty (2024) Angie Rozelaar
2. Read The Winter Cat by Howard Knotts
3. Discussion Questions "How can we use line and shapes to create a cat that looks expressive? How can an artist make a scarf look warm, soft, or cozy? How can we show texture in our artwork without touching the object? How can the colors we choose help communicate that our artwork takes place in winter? How can artists use imagination to tell a story through a single character? How could we contrast the cat's textured fur against the scarf's fabric? Is it a chunky, thick cable-knit scarf, a smooth plaid flannel, or a lightweight patterned fabric? Is the cat indoors by a fireplace, outdoors in a snowy winter landscape , or set against a simple, minimalist solid color?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey, white) to draw the negative space (background) of the Kindergarten Kittens
2. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey, white) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, cat) of the Kindergarten Kittens
3. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey, white) to draw the accessories (ugly sweater, scarf, reindeer antlers, hats) in the positive space (foreground, kittens) of the Kindergarten Kittens
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Kindergarten Kittens for Assigned Tables
2. Cozy Cat Happiness (2025) Angie Rozelaar
3. Discussion Questions "How can artists use patterns to decorate ordinary objects? How can overlapping create the illusion of space? How can artists use color and texture to communicate a season? How can simple shapes be transformed into creative artwork? How can artists show that something is soft or hard? What types of patterns do you notice on winter clothing? Can you use colors that make your scarves look warm even when it is cold? How can artists use patterns to make winter clothing unique? How do illustrations use color, pattern, and texture to help tell a winter story? How can we use ideas from a book to create our own original artwork? How can artists show what is happening in a story through one picture?"
Lesson Activities
1. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the negative space (background) of the Kindergarten Kittens
2. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, kittens) of the Kindergarten Kittens
3. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the accessories (ugly sweater, scarf, hat) in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, kitten) of the Kindergarten Kittens
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Kindergarten Kittens for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, tempera paint, water buckets, pencils)
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous colors, warm colors, cool colors) to paint in the negative space (background) of the Kindergarten Kittens
2. Use color combinations (analogous colors, warm colors, cool colors) to paint in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, kittens) of the Kindergarten Kittens
3. Use value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to paint in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, kittens) of the Kindergarten Kittens
Artist Examples
Student Examples
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