Tuesday, October 27, 2026
BURTON MORRIS HERSHEY KISSES
Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Burton Morris Hershey Kisses using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and color combinations (metallic, warm/cool colors, analogous colors) inspired by American Pop Artist (1964-Present) Burton Morris
- Use painting techniques (overlapping, cropping, enlarging) and design principles (composition, variation, balance) based on Pop Art
- Define Energy Shards (refers to the sharp, angular, or fragmented geometric shapes used to visually represent power, motion, and intensity)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Fruit Bowl (2006) Burton Morris
2. Read Pop Art Book by Nadine Kathe Monem
3. Discussion Questions "What is pop art? What are the key characteristics in Burton Morris' art? What identifiable features do you notice in Burton Morris' artwork such as jagged frames and negative space? What do you notice about the shapes in Burton Morris' painting above? Are these shapes organic, free form, or geometric? Which of the seven art elements (line, texture, value, shape, form, color, space) does Burton Morris use in his fruit bowl still life paintings? Does he employ organic, free form, or geometric shapes? Are the fruits in these paintings realistic or stylized? How do these fruits compare with the fruit shapes in the paintings by Burton Morris? What does it mean to make a figurative object abstract? How did cubist artists stylize the human form and other organic shapes using shape? How many different traditional organic objects are represented with sharp, geometric angles in the paintings? What kind of effect is created when an organic form is represented with geometric shapes?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Add three dimensional shapes (cylinder, pyramid, sphere, cone) to the positive space (composition, Hersey kisses, foreground) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
3. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, composition, Hersey Kisses) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Burton Morris Hershey Kisses for Assigned Tables
2. King Kong (2015-2018) Burton Morris
3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice when you first look at this artwork? Why do you think the artist uses such bright colors? How do the thick black outlines change the appearance of the objects? What do you notice about the lines surrounding the objects? How can an artist make an ordinary object look extraordinary? What everyday object would you choose to turn into a pop art masterpiece? How can artists use color, line, and shape to transform everyday objects into works of art? What makes this artwork stand out from a realistic drawing? What do the lines around the object make you think is happening? Can an everyday object tell a story without using words?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, metallic, warm/cool) to fill in the positive space (foreground, composition, Hersey kisses) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
2. Use color combinations (analogous, metallic, warm/cool) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
3. Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to add details to the positive space (foreground, composition, Hershey kisses) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Burton Morris Hersey Kisses for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (washable markers, permanent markers, pencils, erasers)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source, highlights) to the positive space (foreground, composition, Hersey kisses) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
3. Outline details (patterns, objects, Hersey kisses) in positive space (foreground, composition, Hersey kisses) of the Burton Morris Hershey Kisses
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
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
POP UP SNOWBALLS
Pop Up Snowballs
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Pop Up Snowballs using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two-dimensional, three-dimensional), and texture (actual, visual, implied) inspired by American Art Educator (2017-Present) Tracie Kiernan
- Use folding techniques (cutting, folding, interlocking, bonding) and design principles (emphasis, variation, contrast) based on American Art
- Define Mitten (a type of hand covering that encloses the four fingers together in one single compartment and the thumb separately)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Mittens Love (2024) Tracie Kiernan
2. Read Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
3. Discussion Questions "How can artists use pattern 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 mitten look warm even though the snowballs look cold? How can artists use patterns to make a mitten unique? How can geometric shapes (circles, ovals, crescents) become snowballs or mittens? 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. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper
2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, mittens) of the Pop Up Snowballs
3. Use patterns (stripes, houndstooth, herringbone, plaid, floral, check) to add designs to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, mittens) of the Pop Up Snowballs
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Pop Up Snowballs for Assigned Tables
2. Christmas Mittens (2022) Tracie Kiernan
3. Discussion Questions "What are mittens? How many of you have ever worn mittens? How many of you have ever lost a mitten? How did you feel? What are mittens east to lose? Why do you think this story is called Snowballs? What is the difference between a glove and a mitten? Why do you think a mitten keeps your hands warmer than a glove? Do the mittens you made match? If we make a pair of mittens, how do we make sure they look like they belong together? What kinds of lines are you using to decorate your mitten- straight, zigzag, wavy, or dotted? What kind of repeating pattern can you make with these colors? What is your favorite part of your design? If you made another mitten, what would you change or add next time?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, warm/cool colors, complementary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, mittens) of the Pop Up Snowballs
2. Use color combinations (analogous, warm/cool colors, complementary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Pop Up Snowballs
3. Use neutral colors (black, brown, grey, white) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, snowball) of the Pop Up Snowballs
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Pop Up Snowballs for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paintbrushes, tempera paint, water bucket, glitter)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source, cast light) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, mittens) of the Pop Up Snowballs
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadows, reflective shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Pop Up Snowballs
3.Use texture (glitter, shimmer, metallic) to add details (snowflakes, glitter, wind) to the negative space (background) of the Pop Up Snowballs
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Monday, September 7, 2026
SUNFLOWER SUNSETS
Sunflower Sunsets
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Sunflower Sunsets using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (warm colors, earth tones, analogous colors), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and shape variation (geometric organic, free form) inspired by Post Impressionist Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
- Understand painting techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (composition, movement, repetition) based on Post Impressionism
- Define Brushstrokes (the mark, trace, or configuration left on a surface by a single application of a paintbrush)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Sunflowers (1889) Vincent Van Gogh
2. Read Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story About Vincent Van Gogh by Laurence Anholt
3. Discussion Questions "Did you know Vincent Van Gogh created seven distinct versions of sunflowers within his series of sunflower paintings? Did you know Van Gogh saw sunflowers as a metaphor for the cycle of life? Did you know his bold use of yellow became a hallmark of his style? Did you know sunflowers are the national flower and an important symbol in Ukraine? Did you know Van Gogh saw sunflowers as a symbol of gratitude and decorated his friend Paul Gaughin's guest room with them? What do you notice about the way the paint has been applied to the painting? How does scientific information inform art? Did you know his sunflower paintings are dispalyed in museums all around the world from Tokyo to Amsterdam? Did you know one of his sunflowers painting was lost during World War II? How do artists use perspective, along with different shapes and colors, to add dimension to paintings? What kinds of lines did Van Gogh use to paint those sunflowers? What do you think Van Gogh used concentric circles to paint them? How can you infuse your own thoughts, emotions, and memories into your paintings?"
Lesson Activities
1. Divide the painting paper into three parts (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Sunflower Sunsets
2. Use observational drawing techniques (contour, gesture, outline) to add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to Sunflower Sunsets
3. Add directional lines (diagonal, vertical, horizontal) to remember the highlights (light source, reflective light, cast light) of the Sunflower Sunsets
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Sunflower Sunsets for Assigned Tables
2. Still Life Vase With Fourteen Sunflowers (1889) Vincent Van Gogh
3. Discussion Question "Who was Vincent Van Gogh? Did you know who he really was? Would you like a painting of sunflowers in your room? Why did Vincent Van Gogh become so famous? What did Vincent Van Gogh like to paint? How can we paint the sky like Vincent Van Gogh? Where do you think Van Gogh was when he painted this picture? What colors did Van Gogh use in this painting? What kind of place do you think this was? How can we create the same feeling of movement in the sky to tell our own story? Where did Van Gogh get his inspiration? Do you think Van Gogh was inspired by the harvest work? What is happening in this picture?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use warm colors (red yellow orange) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets
2. Use warm colors (red yellow orange) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Sunflower Sunsets
3. Use different mark making techniques (dashes, scratches, loose lines) to add designs to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Sunflower Sunsets for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paint brushes, oil pastels, erasers)
Lesson Activities
1. Add patterns (stripes, swirls, dots, waves) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets
2. Add highlights (reflective light, light source, cast light) and shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow, shadow) to the Sunflower Sunsets
3. Add patterns (stripes, swirls, dots, waves) to the negative space (background) of the Sunflower Sunsets
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
VAN GOGH CHAIR PAINTINGS
Van Gogh Chair Paintings
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Van Gogh Chair Painting using painting techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (complementary, analogous, monochromatic), line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shadows) inspired by Post Impressionist Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
- Use drawing techniques (observational, perspective, blocking shapes) and design principles (proportion, composition, variation) based on Post Impressionism
- Define Impasto (a technique where paid is laid on a canvas so thickly that it stands out in three dimensions, leaving brush or palette knife strokes clearly visible)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Van Gogh's Chair (1888) Vincent Van Gogh
2. Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain by Betty Edwards
3. Discussion Questions "What was Van Gogh's relationship with fellow artist Gauguin like? How did Van Gogh represent his thoughts about himself and his friends in his chair paintings? How does Van Gogh use everyday objects as a form of a self-portraiture? How do artists tell stories about life and personality? When looking at the arms, legs, seats, and backs of the chair, what do you think this chair is made of? Can you identify the materials used to make this chair? Did you know Vincent Van Gogh lived in various places such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain, and France? How does this unusual scene show Vincent Van Gogh's personality, love of nature, and home comfort? How is this painting a statement of friendship between two artists? How do the vertical lines and diagonal lines show movement in this artwork?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the basic shapes (oval, circle, triangle) for the positive space (chair, foreground) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
2. Use oil pastels to add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
3. Use oil pastels to add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Van Gogh Chair for Assigned Tables
2. Gauguin's Chair (1888) Vincent Van Gogh
3. Discussion Questions "What is negative space? How might focusing on it be used as a strategy for observational drawing? Is the space in this painting positive or negative? What is a negative space drawing? How is drawing negative space related to drawing contour lines? Is the background of the picture positive or negative? What is the main object of this positive and negative space artwork? Does anyone want to share where the positive and negative space is in this image? Where is the positive space in both paintings? Where is the negative space in both paintings? What does it captivate, in terms of emotions, to the audience of negative space? What are three basic elements of composition needed in drawing? What is the different between negative and positive space? Which do you think is more important negative space or positive space?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
3. Use drawing techniques (blending, layering, overlapping) to add contrast to the composition of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Van Gogh Chair Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, tempera paint, paint paste)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
2. Add shadow (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
3. Add overlapping shapes (circles, ovals, triangles, rectangles) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Posts
