MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

 Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouette using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (complementary, analogous, monochromatic), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive, negative) inspired by Russian Artist (2015-Present) Nikolai Tolstyh 
• Use photography techniques (framing, contrast, symmetry) and design principles (composition, gradation, repetition) based on Russian Art
• Define Silhouette (an image or design in a single hue or color)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Mufasa (2019) Nikolai Tolstyh

2. Read Ready To Use Animal Silhouettes by Ellen Sandbeck

3. Discussion Questions "Does an artist have to mirror nature to convey nature? Can artists interact with nature as a subject in a different way? How do artists to their arms to create a work of art? where was the artist standing in conjunction with the work of art? Do depictions of nature have to be beautiful? Does an artist need to experience nature firsthand to represent it successfully? Are paintings of nature a reflection of an artists lifetime? How do works of art concerned with nature relate to the socioeconomic, cultural, or political context in which they were made? How does the meaning of an artwork change over time? How might an artwork be interpreted different at different moments in history?"

Lesson Activities

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

2. Add details (eyes, nose, claws) to the three dimensional silhouette of an animal (fox, moose, squirrel, deer) for the animal silhouettes

3. Outline the positive space (foreground) with neutral colors (black, white, grey) for the Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes for Assigned Tables

2. Lupines (2019) Nikolai Tolstyh 

3. Discussion Questions "What do you see in this picture? Does your picture have space or distance? Does your picture have a horizon line, one point perspective, or background? How can we create the illusion of depth within the Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes? What do you think was the most important tool the artist used when creating this work? why are you drawn to this subject? What connections did the artist have to her work? Does this artwork represent something about the artist? Is there an element of the artwork you enjoy working with most? What do you think the artist meant when this work was created?"

Lesson Activities

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

2. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to outline the positive space (animal) for the animal silhouettes

3. Add embellishments (salt, glitter, metallic) for the negative space (background) of the Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, paintbrushes, watercolor)

Lesson Activities

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

2. Add neutral colors (black, brown, grey) to the three dimensional silhouette (animal) of the Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes

3. Add value (highlights, shadows) to the positive space (animal) of the Nikolai Tolstyh Animal Silhouettes

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Learning Targets

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Lucus l (1986-1987) Chuck Close

2. Read Chuck Close: Up Close by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

3. Discussion Questions "What is similar between these paintings? How are the two paintings different? What similarities and differences can you find? How does Chuck Close create his paintings? How do you make a big head? How do you make a nose? How does his behavior inform his work and shape our cultural narrative? Why does context matter? What does he start with when making a painting? What part of his paintings does he want to be most important? How did Chuck Close make the mustache in the image? Why does Chuck Close use a grid method for his artwork? What are the different types of printmaking and art making that Chuck Close uses?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add lines for proportions (head, neck, shoulders) within the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait
2. Use drawing tool to draw contour line of facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) of the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait
3. Use drawing tool to add characteristics (smile, accessories, glasses) to the positive space (silhouette) of the pattern portrait 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chuck Close Pattern Portraits for Assigned Table
2. Self Portrait (2000) Chuck Close

3. Discussion Questions "How would Chuck Close answer questions about his life and work in an interview? What actions did Chuck Close's family take that supported his interest in art? Do you think this support was important in him becoming an artist? How does Chuck Close involve his friends and family to make art? What kind of injury does Chuck Close suffer from? What are the steps Chuck Close goes through in a series when making a painting? What devices, tools, and help does Chuck Close use to overcome his physical problems? What kind of student was Chuck Close? How and why does Chuck Close make his style of portrait art? Why does Chuck Close use a grid method for his artwork?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Add adornments (jewelry, hairstyles, freckles) to positive space (face, head, shoulder) of pattern portraits
2. Add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to positive space (face, head, shoulder) of pattern portrait
3. Add patterns (swirls, dots, stripes) to negative space (background) of Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Chuck Close Pattern Portraits for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (computer, photographs, photoshop, gimp)

Lesson Activities

1. Use paint bucket tool to fill in the positive space (head, face, shoulder) with complementary colors (red green; blue orange; purple yellow) of pattern portrait
2. Use paint brush tool to fill in the negative space (head, face, shoulder) with complementary colors (red green; blue orange; purple yellow) of pattern portrait
3. Use adjustments to add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) and highlights (light source, reflective light) to Chuck Close Pattern Portraits

Artist Examples

Student Examples