Mad Scientist Lab Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Mad Scientist Lab Paintings using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and color combinations (color theory, color mixing, primary, secondary) inspired by American Artist (1928-1994) Donald Judd
• Use painting techniques (dry brushing, wet-on-wet, transparent layer) and design principles (composition, proportion, balance) based on Minimalism
• Define Color Mixing (the process of combining pigments to create new colors) 

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Banquet Piece With Ham (1965) Willem Claesz

2. Read Do You Believe in Match (A Wild Thing Book): The Search For Wonder From Sorcery To Science by Laura Krantz 

3. Discussion Questions "What do you think is a container? Can you name different types of containers (baskets, tubs, bags)? Which containers are viewed as functional and which containers are viewed as decorative? Could you make any shapes into a form? What do you know about STEAM? Why should we combine science and art together? Do you know what primary colors are? Do you know what secondary colors are? What do you think will happen when we mix these two colors together? What do you notice? What does it look like, feel like, or sound like? What steps did you take to make your artwork better? What new colors can you make by mixing these colors? Do you see any patterns forming in your artwork? How are the crystals forming? Are these crystals the same shape and size? If you were a scientist drawing this container, what details would you include? Where is the light coming from? How does this affect the shape of the shadows? How are you attaching different pieces together?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper

2. Add three dimensional shapes (cylinder, cone, pyramid, sphere) to the composition of arranged objects (glassware, fabric, inanimate objects) for the Mad Scientist Lab Paintings 

3. Add an horizon line to the negative space (background, middle ground) to separate the folded drapery, objects, wallpaper for Mad Scientist Lab Paintings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mad Scientist Lab Paintings for Assigned Tables 

2. A Banquet Piece With An Overturned Tazza and Oysters

3. Discussion Questions "What is a still life? Is a still life a simple painting or drawing of objects? Is it different from other forms of figurative work in the sense that it cannot move? Can you guess how many types of still life there are for three merits? How can you create a still life effectively? What was the inspiration for your artwork? When did you learn about a famous artist, culture, place, or time in history? What materials did you use? What techniques have you used in this painting? What are you proud of in your artwork? What style is that? Where you using your imagination, memories, or observing from real life? How did the artist use space? How did the artist use balance? How does your eye move through this artwork? What choices did the artist make to make this happen? How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it? What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (primary, secondary, color mixing, color theory) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground) of the mad scientist lab paintings

2. Use color combinations (primary, secondary, color mixing, color theory) to fill in the negative space (background) of the mad scientist lab paintings

3. Use shape stamps to add patterns (stripes, floral, silk, wood) to the negative space (background) of the Mad Scientist Lab Paintings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mad Scientist Lab Paintings for Assigned Tables 

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the subject matter (foreground, mixing containers) and the positive space (foreground, mixing containers) of the mad scientist lab paintings 

2. Add shadows (cast shadows, shadows) to the negative space (background) of the mad scientist lab paintings 

3. Outline details (patterns, objects, potions) in the positive space (foreground, mixing containers) of the Mad Scientist Lab Paintings

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

 Printed Fence With Flowers

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Printed Fence With Flowers using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive, negative) inspired by French Painter (1840-1926) Claude Monet
• Use printmaking techniques (etching, engraving, woodcut, lithography) and design principles (contrast, balance, proportion) based on Impressionism
• Define Monoprint (a form of printmaking where the image can only be made once)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Garden Gate At Vetheuil (1881) Claude Monet

2. Read Extraordinary Garden by Sam Boughton

3. Discussion Questions "How can sharing your gifts with others make things extraordinary? How did Joe feel before and after he started his garden? How do you think Hoe's neighbors felt the njoe shared his garden with them? What do you have that you could share that might bring joy to thatchers? What does Joe create with his imagination? What was the thing that helped Joe bring his idea to life? How long do you think it took for his idea to grow? How long do you think it took for his seed to grow? Who does he share his plants with? Can you think of other words to describe something as ordinary? Are there ordinary colors that were used?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Watercolor Paper

2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the flower garden designs 

3. Add scenery (blue sky, wooden fence, insects) to the positive space (foreground) of the Printed Fence With Flowers 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Printed Fence With Flowers for Assigned Table

2. The Pond With Ducks In Autumn (1873) Claude Monet

3. Discussion Questions "What do you think extraordinary means? How can you take ordinary activities and make them extraordinary? What is it? How does it work? Does it have extraordinary colors? Can you use it, or is it just a cool, silly thing to look at? Where would you place the seeds in your house? Would you place them under the stairs, behind the sofa, or inside a sock? Where is the silliest place you can think of to find a seed? Is there a real seed somewhere in your house? Could you plant the seed? What will grow in your garden? What colors will be there? Will there be water in your garden, a waterfall, or a river?" What amazing animals might be in your garden? Who will you share this space with?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add flowers (roses, carnations, tulips, irises, sunflowers) to the positive space (foreground) of the flower garden designs 

2. Add details (clouds, sun, birds) to the negative space (background) of the flower garden designs 

3. Use black sharpie marker to outline the foreground, middle ground, and background of the Printed Fence With Flowers

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Printed Fence With Flowers for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (watercolor, buckets, colored pencils)

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, complementary) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the flower garden designs 

2. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, complementary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the flower garden designs

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) to the positive space (foreground) of the Printed Fence With Flowers

Artist Examples 

Student Examples

 Winter Cityscapes 

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Winter Cityscape using collage techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shades) inspired by Impressionist Painter (1839-1899) Alfred Sisley
• Use cityscape elements (horizon line, foreground, middle ground, background) and designs principles (composition, movement, proportion) based on Impressionism
• Define Cityscape (the visual appearance of an urban area)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Snow On The Road, Louveciennes (Chemin De La Machine) (1874) Alfred Sisley

2. Read A Winter Walk In The City by Cathy Goldberg Fishman

3. Discussion Questions "What strikes you most about this landscape? What mood does it evoke? What is the main idea of this painting? What is the focal point? Where is the highest contrast and sharpest edge? Is there a dominant color temperature in the landscape? What are the dominant atmospheric effects? What are the elements in the landscape? Where is the lightest and darkest part of the painting? What do you find inspiring about winter?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use pencil to draw basic shapes (geometric, organic, free form) of the positive space (buildings) of the winter cityscapes

2. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to add details (windows, doors, decorations) to the winter cityscapes 

3. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to add details (clouds formations, raised highways, snowflakes) to the negative space (background) of the Winter Cityscapes

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Winter Cityscapes for Assigned Table

2. Garden In Louveciennes In The Snow (1874) Alfred Sisley

3. Discussion Questions "Would you like living in a city? What are some advantages to of living in a city What are some disadvantages to living in a city? What is your favorite city to visit? What part of this city do you like the best? What do you ink could be done to improve living conditions in the cities? What are some differences between living int he city and living in the country? If you had grown up in a different city how would your life have been different? What monuments of your city do you consider the most impressive? How would you describe the architecture in your city? what would you do if you were in charge of the city? How would you improve it? What changes would you make? Would you enjoy designing a new city?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, intermediate) to fill in the positive space (buildings) of the winter cityscapes

2. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, intermediate) to fill in the negative space (background) of the winter cityscapes 

3. Use line types (expressive, directional, contour) to fill in the positive space (building) with designs (features, windows, doors, decorations) of the Winter Cityscapes

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Winter Cityscapes for Assigned Table

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to the positive space (building) of the winter cityscapes

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow) to the negative space (background) of the winter cityscapes

3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to the Winter Cityscapes

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Fancy Flamingos 

Learning Targets

 I can...

• Create an original Fancy Flamingo using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use mixing colors (pink, grey, purple), shape variation (geometric organic), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by American Artist (1936-2015) Don Featherstone
• Use repetitive patterns (dots, waves, stripes) and design principles (contrast, movement, gradation) based on Plastic Sculptures
• Define Tone (degree of lightness or darkness of a color)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Bookmingo (2010) Don Feathersome

2. Read "Sylvie: The Colorful Flamingo" by Jennifer Sattler

3. Discussion Questions "What shape is a flamingo's body? If you were a flamingo, what would you want to eat? Which colors or patterns are your favorite for a flamingo? Have you ever wondered why Flamingos are pink? What happens if she nibbles items of other colors? What types of bird is Sylvie? Why are Sylvie and her family pink? What types of colors of food did Sylvia try to eat? What is your favorite food Sylvia ate? What is your favorite color? What color is your favorite type of food? Why did Sylvie go back to eating little pink shrimp, like her family ate?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of the Pink Flamingo using line types (contour, outline, continuous) for the flamingo compositions

3. Add details (jungle background, food, wildlife) to the negative space (background) of the Fancy Flamingos

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fancy Flamingo for Assigned Table

2.  A Pair of Original Donald Featherstone Pink Flamingos (2021) Donald Featherstone

3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice about Sylvie's family? What does she see when she looks all around the beach? When she finds out her family eats only shrimp, what do you think she may do? What colors may she turn after each item she eats? What color is scarlet? What does a whole bouquet look like? What is paisley? Where might we see this pattern? What could Sylvie do to feel better? Have you ever seen a baby flamingo? What do they look like? What did you look like when you were born? If you could change the way you look, what would you change? Why? Do you look like anyone in your family?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing) to fill in the facial features (beak, webbed feet, rises) of the flamingo compositions

2. Use design principles (composition, balance gradation) to draw in the negative space (background) of the flamingo compositions

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, smudging, smearing) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Fancy Flamingos

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fancy Flamingo for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (painting paper, water bucket, paint brush)

Lesson Activities

1. Use mixing colors (grey, pink, purple) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the flamingo compositions 

2. Use mixing colors (grey, pink, purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the flamingo compositions

3. Add design details (cropping, enlarging, overlapping) to the negative space (background) of the Fancy Flamingos

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Warm And Cool Waves

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Warm and Cool Waves using painting techniques learned in class 
• Use warm/cool waves (red orange yellow; green blue purple), line types (horizontal vertical diagonal), and value (lightness darkness) inspired by American Artist (1956-Present) Robert Wyland
• Use drawing techniques (perspective atmospheric seascape) and design principles (composition proportion balance) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Subjective Color (colors chosen by the artist without regard to the natural appearance of the object portrayed)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Storm (2001) Robert Wyland

2. Read The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow

3. Discussion Questions "Do you think whales are a part of our natural ecosystem? How did an artist from Detroit become interested in whales? Do you think artists create the style they paint in, or are artists something of an imitator, drawing from other artists? Does hi work change your view of the world? How can we prevent countries from hunting certain species of whale? What can we do to improve water quality problems in our country? Why does the artist paint massive works of art? How can artists contribute to environmental causes? What influential individuals was the artist inspired by? What other mediums has the artist worked in? How would you define art? What does art mean to you? What do you think an artist is?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Choose 12" x 12" Painting Paper 

2. Draw foreground (bottom wave), middle ground (main wave) and background (sky clouds) of wave paintings

3. Use painting techniques (blending smudging layering) to add layers to subject matter (waves) of Warm And Cool Waves

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Warm And Cool Waves for Assigned Table

2. Warm Seas (2011) Robert Wyland

3. Discussion Questions "What factors influenced the artist as a child that impacted his art career? Who are some of his contemporaries who have influenced his art? What is the artists favorite art form? What are some characteristics of his artwork that sets it apart from other artists work? What is the symbolism found within his work? What are some indicators that prove he is an important American Contemporary artist? What are some different types of art produced at different stages in his life? What were some major influences that contributed to him becoming a great artist? What makes you think that he is a contemporary artist?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add thin layers of paint to foreground (bottom wave), middle ground (main wave) and background (clouds sky) of the wave paintings

2. Use painting techniques (blending smudging layering) to add details (wave peaks, white foam, mist) to the wave paintings

3. Use painting techniques (blending smudging layering) to add texture (implied actual visual) to Warm And Cool Waves

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Warm And Cool Waves for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, watercolor, felt tip pens) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm color (red orange yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the wave paintings

2. Use cool colors (blue purple green) to fill in the positive space (waves) of the wave paintings

3. Use tint (white) and shade (black) to add the illusion of depth within the Warm And Cool Waves

Artist Examples

Student Examples