Treehouse Drawings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Treehouse Drawings using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and form (two dimensional, three dimensional) inspired by American Artist (1979-Present) Jedediah Corwyn Voltz
• Use perspective techniques (linear, one-point, two-point, three-point, atmospheric) and design principles (proportion, gradation, composition) based on American Art
• Define Architecture (the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Corner Store (2024) Jedediah Corwyn Voltz

2. Read Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

3. Discussion Questions "Are the houses below, in, or on top of the tree? How do you know? What shapes do you see in the structure of the houses? How do you access the houses? Is the tree sitting on a horizon line or inside of an area? What details do you notice in each of the houses? What windows do you notice in each of the houses? What is the secret purpose of the treehouse such as launching water balloons or high-tech makers space? What items would you throw up into the treehouse to keep them safe? Is your treehouse made of wood, giant sticks, crystal, or metal? Is the treehouse hidden by thick leaves, vibrant, or standing out as a statement piece? Is the treehouse drawing sitting on top of branches, wrapped around the truck like a spiral, or floating between multiple trees?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use observational drawing techniques (composition, direct light, value) to draw the basic parts (roof, windows, door, base) of the Treehouse Drawings 

2. Add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to add details (windows, doorways, balcony) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, treehouse) of the Treehouse Drawings 

3. Add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to add details (trees, dirt path, puddles) to the negative space (background) of the Treehouse Drawings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Treehouse Drawings for Assigned Tables 

2. Lorax Camp (2020) Jedediah Corwyn Voltz

3. Discussion Questions "What are some things happening in this artwork? What kind of person would live in this treehouse? What is the treehouse made of (leaves, sticks, mushrooms, magical)? Are there any special doors, windows, or stairs to this house? Does this house have a special feature, like a baloney, a look out, or a secret room? What could be added to this picture with more time? What are some famous examples of biomorphic architecture? How does the shape of the home reflect the inhabitants? How does the treehouse blend in with its environment? What types of lines and shapes are present in your house? How are details like windows, doors, and roofs designed to be functional or imaginative? What was the most challenging part of designing and building your treehouse?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use types of patterns (stripes, swirls, meanders) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, treehouse) of the Treehouse Drawings 

2. Add high contrast (shaded areas, shadows, value) and light/medium contrast (background, light areas, middle ground) to the white space of the Treehouse Drawings 

3. Add embellishments (scrap paper, aluminum foil, paper bags)) to the positive space (foreground, treehouse) of the Treehouse Drawings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Treehouse Drawings for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (pencils, erasers, markers, rulers) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, neutral) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, treehouse) of the Treehouse Drawings

2. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, neutral) to fill in the negative space (background, landscape) of the Treehouse Drawings

3. Add additional types of patterns (stripes, swirls, meanders) to the negative space (background) of the Treehouse Drawings

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

 Fairy House Drawings

Learning Targets 

I can...

• Create an original Fairy House Drawing using painting techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and texture (visual, actual, implied) inspired by American Artist (2011-Present) Cindy Dauer
• Use drawing techniques (shading, hatching, stippling, scribbling) and design principles (proportion, emphasis, variation) based on American Art
•  Define Architecture (the process of designing and creating buildings)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. House With Plant Monster (2015) Cindy Dauer

2. Read Ralph Masiello's Fairy Drawing Book (Ralph Masiello's Drawing Books) by Ralph Masiello

3. Discussion Questions "What are some things you see the people doing in this drawing? What are some things happening in this drawing? What kind of gnome or fairy lives in this house? Does the gnome or fairy have any pets or special animal friends? What is the house made of (leaves, sticks, mushrooms, magical)? Are there special doors, windows, or stairs to this house? What does the furniture in the house look like? Does this house have a special feature, like a baloney, a look out, or a secret room? Where is the fairy house located? Is it in a forest, by a river, or in your own garden? Why kind of garden or car does the fairy or gnome have? What does the land around the house look like? Why happens in a typical day for the fairies who live there? What could be adde to this picture with more time? Are there other creatures or neighbors who live nearby? How fun would it be to live in a pumpkin, acorn, squash, or truck of a tree?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use observational drawing techniques (composition, direct light, value) to draw the basic parts (roof, windows, door, base) of the fairy house drawings

2. Add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to add details (windows, doorways, balconies) to the positive space (foreground) of the fairy house drawings

3. Add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to add details (trees, dirt path, puddles) to the negative space (background) of the Fairy House Drawings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fairy House Drawings for Assigned Tables

2. Mr. Big Feet's House (2015) Cindy Dauer 

3. Discussion Questions "What natural materials are suitable for building fairy houses? What are some famous examples of biomorphic architecture? How does the shape of the house reflect the inhabitants? What magical elements would be in this home? How does your design tell a story about the fairy who lives there? How would different materials create different textures and moods? What special features would a fairy need in this home? What kind of fairy lives in this home and how does personality influence design? How does the house blend in with its environment? What types of lines and shapes are present in your house? How does color help create a mood or atmosphere for the fairy house? If we were to look at your fairy house from a different angle, what would we see? How are details like windows, doors, and roofs designed to be functional or imaginative? What was the most challenging part of designing and building your fairy house?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use types of pattern (stripes, swirls, meanders) to fill in the positive space (foreground, house) of the fairy house drawings 

2. Add high contrast (shaded areas, shadows) and light/medium contrast (background, light areas, middle ground) to the white space of the fairy house drawings  

3. Add embellishments (fabric, gems, rhinestones) to the positive space (foreground, house) of the Fairy House Drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Fairy House Drawings for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (colored pencils, sharpie markers, watercolor, oil pastels, gel pens) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, neutral) to fill in the positive space (foreground, house) of the fairy house drawings

2. Use color combinations (analogous, secondary, neutral) to fill in the negative space (background, landscape) of the fairy house drawings 

3. Add additional types of pattern (stripes, swirls, meanders) to the negative space (background, landscape) of the Fairy House Drawings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Gergely Dudas Search Drawings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Gergely Dudas Search Drawing using collage techniques learned in class 
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and color combinations (analogous, secondary, primary) inspired by Hungarian Artist (2019-Present) Gergely Dudas
• Use drawing techniques (shading, blending, overlapping) and design principles (composition, repetition, movement) based on Seek And Find Cartoons
• Define Repetition (the use of two or more of the same or similar elements such as colors, shapes, or lines)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Find BB-8 (2024) Gergely Dudas 

2. Read Bear's Spooky Book Of Hidden Things (2018) Gregory Dudas

3. Discussion Questions "Did you ever play "I Spy with my Little Eye" game? What are your favorite games to play at home and in the classroom? What does "I Spy" mean? Where did "I Spy With My Eye" come from? Have you played I Spy games indoors or outdoors? Have you played the I Spy game with friends, family, or adults? How do you play "I Spy with my little eye?" What are the rules of this game? When you play I Spy, do you use yes or no questions to help find the answer? Does I Spy use number recognition or shape identification for young children? Why would visual perception be an important skill for learning to read? What are some of your interests? What do you notice in your surroundings?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use three geometric shapes (rectangle, oval, circle) to create a three dimensional silhouette of a fall animal (fox, moose, squirrel, deer) for the search compositions

2. Add details (eyes, nose, claws) to the three dimensional silhouettes of a fall animal (fox, moose, squirrel ,deer) for the search compositions 

3. Outline the positive space (foreground, animals) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the Gergely Dudas Search Drawings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Gergely Dudas Search Drawing for Assigned Tables

2. Sheep Among Goats (2024) Gregely Dudas

3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice is different with the shapes, colors, and arrangement within this artwork? What is the same and different about each picture? What colors are being used in this artwork? Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it? How does the artist use rotation and translation to create a search composition? Do you think a circle or oval could fill the search composition? Do any spaces cover the space exactly? How can you explain the movement of one tile to another tile? Did everyone use the same number of shapes in their search compositions? Why might the number of shapes vary between students? How many different arrangements did you discover?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Add finishing details (eyes, nose, claws) to the positive space (animal, foreground) of the search compositions 

2. Use neutral colors (black, grey, white) to outline the positive space (animal, foreground) of the search compositions 

3. Add embellishments (salt, glitter, metallic) for the negative space (background, negative space) of the Gergely Dudas Search Drawings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Gergely Dudas Search Drawings for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (colored pencils, erasers, markers, sharpeners) 

Lesson Activities

1. Add embellishments (salt, glitter, metallic) for the negative space (background, negative space) of search compositions 

2. Add neutral colors (black, white, brown, grey) to the three dimensional silhouettes (animal, foreground) of the Gergely Dudas Search Drawings 

3. Add value (lightness, darkness, highlights, shadows) to the positive space (animal, foreground) of the Gergely Dudas Search Drawings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples