Firefly Jar Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Firefly Jar Paintings using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (metallic, glow in the dark, secondary), shape variation (geometric, organic, freeform), and space (positive, negative) inspired by Edo, Meiji, And Tashio Period
• Use painting techniques (underpainting, dry brush, blending, layering) and design principles (composition, proportion, repetition) based on Asian Art
• Define Luminosity (the illusion of light from within the painting)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Searching For Fireflies (1768) Suzuki Harunobu

2. Read The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

3. Discussion Questions "When do fireflies come out? What do we see in the summer night? What happens when you try to catch a firefly? Why do fireflies light up? What do fireflies eat? Do you call them fireflies or lightning bugs? Why do fireflies only appear on hot summer nights? Why do some people call the insects fireflies bugs or lightning bugs? How many fireflies did you find? When did they start to show up before or after dusk? Were the fireflies flying or sitting on something? Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? What is the story being told, if any? How might you feel differently about the world after looking at this artwork? What dose this artwork say about the culture in which it was produced? What does this artwork tell us about the past?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to make a composition for the fireflies paintings

2. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping to add parts (wings, legs, lightbulb) to the positive space (fireflies) of the fireflies paintings

3. Add design details (eyes, patterns, wings) to the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Firefly Jar Paintings for Assigned Tables

2. Woman And Child Catching Fireflies (1793) Eishosai Choki

3. Discussion Questions "What was happening in history when this artwork was made? How does this change your understanding of the artwork? What are the values and beliefs of the culture in which this artwork was made? How might your interpretation of this artwork be different from someone in another culture? If you could ask this artwork a question, what would you ask it? What does this artwork teach us about the future? How can you connect this artwork to your own life? How does this title contribute to your understanding of the meaning? How did the artist use line, shape, and color to contribute to the mood or meaning of the artwork? What do you think happened before this scene? What do you think happened next? What do you think the artist is trying to say in this artwork? What is the meaning or message? How does your eye move through the artwork? What choices did the artist make to make that happen?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (highlights, reflective light, cast shadow) to add contrast to the positive space (foreground) of the fireflies paintings

2. Use value (cast shadow, shadow, highlights) to add contrast to the negative space (background) of the fireflies paintings

3. Use texture (actual, visual, implied) to add details (wings, legs, lightbulb) to the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Firefly Jar Paintings for Assigned Tables

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

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (glow in the dark, metallic, secondary) to fill in the positive space (fireflies) of the fireflies paintings

2. Use color combinations (glow in the dark, metallic, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the fireflies paintings

3. Use metallic colors (gold, silver, bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (fireflies) of the Firefly Jar Paintings

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Mixed Media Beetles

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Mixed Media Beetles using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use analogous colors (red blue purple; green orange yellow), shape variation (geometric organic free form), and space (positive negative) inspired by French Artist (1902-1959) Germaine Richier
• Use mixed media techniques (collage layering printmaking) and design principles (repetition balance composition) based on the Avante Garde Movement
• Define Beetle (an insect with hard shelled wings and shiny pinchers)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Beetles (1951) Germaine Richier

2. Read A Beetle Is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston And Sylvia Long

3. Discussion Questions "What type of beetles are there? What is rubbing together body parts to create sound known as? What type of metamorphosis do beetles undergo? What is your favorite kind of beetle? 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 selection on the outside? Do insects have brains? If so, how big are they? Why do bugs not come out in the winter? Do you have an insect for a pet? What was your favorite bug field trip? 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 insect so small? Have you ever seen a beetle?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to make a composition for the mixed media beetles

2. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to add the parts (wings, pinchers, legs) of the beetle for mixed media beetles

3. Add design details (eyes, patterns, wings) to positive space (beetle) of the mixed media beetles

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mixed Media Beetle For Assigned Table

2. Against Earth (1958) Germaine Richier

3. Discussion Questions "Why are insect so colorful? Which insects is bigger, the male or female? What are some differences between insects? Why are insects symmetrical? What is he out important part of the drawing? What types of shapes can you use to break up your drawing? Which wing looks transparent like you are looking through the wing of an insect? What does the beetle mean in Ancient Egypt? What colors are beetles? What color was commonly used to draw beetles? What is the meaning of a beetle?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (highlights, reflective light) to add contrast to positive space (beetle) of Mixed Media Beetles

2. Use value (cast shadow, shadow) to add contrast to negative space (background) of the Mixed Media Beetles

3. Use implied texture to add details (wings, pinchers, legs) to positive space (beetle) of the Mixed Media Beetles

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mixed Media Beetles For Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, pencils, erasers)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (red blue purple) to fill in the positive space (beetles) of Mixed Media Beetles

2. Use analogous colors (green orange yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of Mixed Media Beetles

3. Use metallic colors (gold silver bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (beetle) of the Mixed Media Beetles

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Designs

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Design using computer techniques learned in class
• Use metallic colors (bronze, silver, gold), texture types (smooth, bumpy, rough), and form (two dimensional, three dimensional) inspired by American Artist (1969-Present) Christopher Marley
• Use mathematical connections (dividing sections, concentric circles, linear symmetry) and design principles (balance, composition, contrast) based on Expressive Art
• Define Radial Design (a design that includes any lines, shapes, or colors that starts in the center and radiates outwards in a circular way)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Caternarius Prism (2020) Christopher Marley
2. Exquisite Creatures: The Art of Christopher Marley by Christopher Marley
3. Discussion Questions "How long have meditative art forms been around? How did Monks start making Mandalas? How did the artist create his own design? How can we use a computer to create our symmetrical mandalas? What colors or shading should be used with the Mandalas? How can Mandalas appear more three dimensional in design? What does integration mean to you, personally, internally? What does the relationship between the art and artist look like to you? How might you incorporate these techniques and theories you are learning as an artist? How does our work, as an artist, affect the collective? How do we individually impact the whole of human culture? What title would you give your Mandala? What were your thoughts as you were working on your Mandala? As you are reflecting on your Mandala, were there any surprises? Do these colors represent or symbolize anything for you? Is there anything you would like to add, delete, or change?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use bug template to trace simple/compound shapes of insects for symmetrical designs
2. Use a black sharpie marker to outline simple/compound shapes of insects for symmetrical designs
3. Use metallic colors (bronze, silver, gold) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Designs

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Designs for Assigned Table
2. Lambert Prism (2019) Christopher Marley
3. Reflective Discussion "A mandala is a devotional, sacred sand painting done by Buddhist Monks of Tibet. The monks use millions of grains of brightly colored sand to create this sand painting. The ceremony of creating a mandala takes nine days. The mandala represents the world in its divine form. It also represents a "map" by which the minds of people can be transformed from ordinary into enlightenment. After the mandala is finished, the monks who created it, destroy it. The destruction of the mandala is important to the ceremony because the destruction of the mandala symbolizes the impermanence of life."

Lesson Activities

1. Use metallic colors (bronze, silver, gold) to fill in the positive space (insects) of the symmetrical designs
2. Use tools (dotting styluses, dowels, erasers, toothpicks, nails, sewing pins) to add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to positive space (insects) of the symmetrical designs 
3. Use neutral colors (white, black, grey) to add contrast to positive space (insects) of the Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Designs 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Christopher Marley Inspired Symmetrical Designs for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (metallic paint, hot glue, ruler, pencil)

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (blending, contrast, shading) to add details to the positive space (insects) of the symmetrical designs 
2. Use drawing techniques (blending, contrast, shading) to add details to the negative space (background) of the symmetrical designs 
3. Add design details (border, scenery, typography) to negative space (background) of the symmetrical designs 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Glow In The Dark Symmetrical Insects

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an imaginary symmetrical insect using line (vertical, parallel), analogous colors (red, yellow, orange), and organic shapes (wings, antennas, horns) inspired by American Artist (1928-1987) Andy Warhol
• Use design principles (balance, rhythm, movement) relating to the Pop Art Movement
• Define Symmetry (same on both sides)

Day One, Art Start