Da Vinci Acorns

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Da Vinci Acorns using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by Renaissance Artist (1452-1519) Leonardo Da Vinci
• Use sketchbook techniques (paper cutting, painted backgrounds, reusable) and design principles (proportion, contrast, emphasis) based on the Renaissance Period
• Define Sketchbook (a pad or drawing paper for sketching ideas)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Springs of Oak And Dyers Greenweed (1506) Leonardo Da Vinci

2. Read Leonardo Da Vinci (Art For Children) by Ernest Raboff

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

Lesson Activities

1. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, rectangle) to draw the positive space (acorn) of the Da Vinci Acorns

2. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, rectangle) to draw the negative space (background) of the Da Vinci Acorns

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (acorn) and negative space (background) of the Da Vinci Acorns

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Da Vinci Acorns for Assigned Tables

2. Sprays of Oak Leaves And Acorns (1512) Leonardo Da Vinci

3. Discussion Questions "Why does an artist enjoy drawing from observations? What skills can you learn from teaching yourself to draw animals, insects, or plants? Why are we drawing from observation? What do you think Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings? Why would he draw acorns? What is a sketch? What makes Da Vinci's drawings unique? Do you think these were meant to be shown or shared with the word? What objects or subjects interest you? What would you like to invent?"

Lesson Activities

1.  Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (shadows, highlights, texture) to the positive space (acorns) of the acorn drawings

2. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black white grey) of the acorn drawings

3. Use oil pastels to fill negative space (background) with neutral colors (black white grey) for Da Vinci Acorns

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Da Vinci Acorns for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (construction paper, oil pastels, charcoal)

Lesson Activities

1. Add acorn parts (scales, stems, branches) with neutral colors (black white grey) for acorn drawings

2. Use texture techniques (eraser cloth sponge) to add details (scales, stems, branches) to acorn drawings

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Da Vinci Acorns

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Animal Track Drawings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Animal Track Drawing using painting techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal vertical diagonal), shape variation (geometric organic free form) and space (positive negative) inspired by German Painter (1471-1528) Albercht Durer
• Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) and design principles (composition variation proportion) based on Renaissance Art
• Define Composition (a arrangement of elements (texture color line) within a work of art)

Lesson One 
Day One, Art Start

1. Young Hare (1502) Albercht Durer

2. Read Life Sized Animal Tracks by John Townseed

3. Discussion Questions "How would you describe the shape of the track? How many toe marks does each track have? Do you see any claw marks in any of the tracks? Do you think this animal was large or small? How is the front track different from the back track? What animal might have made each track? What shape is this track? What kind of paw do you think made this track? What do you think the paw that made this track looks like? What are some animals that you think have this kind of mark? What do you know about this animal? What type of animals live in a forest? How would you describe this track?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12 X 15 Printmaking Paper

2. Use recycled material (foam, sponge, tagboard) to draw animal footprints (deer, bear, fox) as a template for Animal Track Drawings

3. Use scissors to cut out animal footprints (deer bear fox) from recycled material (foam sponge tagboard) for Animal Track Drawings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Animal Tracks Drawings for Assigned Table

2. Two Squirrels (1492) Albercht Durer

3. Discussion Questions "Did you know that raccoons walk on five toes? Did you know that foxes walk on four toes? Can you guess which animal left which tracks? Can you describe what might have happened between the animals? What animals have been lurking around your farmyard? Who was there? Whose tracks are these? What shape is the track? What animal do you think might have made the track? If you are not sure, what are two or three possible animals? What do the feet look like? What is different about these tracks? What animal do you think made each set? What shape is this track? What part of the track shows the animals claws? How would you describe the shape of the track? Doe the shape of this track remind you of anything? What do you think the foot that made this track looks like? How are these animals tracks the same? How are they different? What is the weather like?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) to add texture (grass mud dirt) to negative space (background) of Animal Track Drawings

2. Use earth tones (brown yellow orange) to fill in the positive space (footprint) of the Animal Track Drawings

2. Use earth tones (brown yellow orange) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Animal Track Drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Animal Track Drawings for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (sponges tempera paint paint brushes)

Lesson Activities

1. Use printmaking paper to print multiple footprints (deer bear fox) for positive space (footprint) of Animal Track Drawings

2. Add highlights (reflective light light source) to positive space (footprint) of Animal Track Drawings

3. Add shadows (cast shadow shadow) to negative space (background) of Animal Track Drawings

Artist Examples

Student Examples

One Point Perspective 

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an Original One Point Perspective using computer techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizon, ground, perpendicular), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by Italian Renaissance Architect (1377-1446) Filippo Brunelleschi
• Use mathematical connections (grid drawing, angles, three dimensional shapes) and design principles (movement, balance, composition) based on Renaissance Art
• Define Vanishing Point (point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to converge)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Bedroom In Arles (1888) Vincent Van Gogh
2. The Delivery of Keys to Saint Peter (1481-1482) Pietro Perugino
3. Discussion Questions "What is one point perspective used for? Can you name the solid shapes in this picture? What are some techniques developed during the Renaissance? What other angles can you think of? Does the word perspective scare you from creating more complex artwork? Do you feel like being precise and using grids can take away from the fun of creating? Would you like to be able to create drawings or paintings that transmit a sense of depth and space? What are the three main characteristics of one point perspective? What types of lines are used in one point perspective? In one point perspective, dimensions are estimated or measured? Which of these drawings are in one point perspective? What is a vanishing point? What is one point perspective used in drawing?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use pencil to draw basic shapes (cylinder, sphere, rectangle prism) of the positive space of one point perspective drawings 
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill negative space (background) of one point perspective drawings

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve One Point Perspective for Assigned Table
2. The Last Supper (1498) Leonardo Da Vinci
3. Discussion Questions "What do these two famous paintings have in common? Where is the vanishing pint located in a one-point perspective drawing? If a building rises above the horizon line, can you see the top of it? What parts of a cylinder would you see if you were placed below the horizon line? In a one-point perspective drawing, how many vanishing points are there? What artist first used linear perspective? Why was the incorporation of accurate perspective important to the advancement of art? What have you learned about space and perspective? What is one point perspective used for? Can you name the solid shapes in this picture? What are some techniques developed during the Renaissance?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (lightness, darkness) to fill in positive space (three dimensional shape) of one point perspective drawings
2. Use value (lightness, darkness) to fill in negative space (background) of one point perspective drawings
3. Use line type (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in negative space (background) with designs (stripes, dots, waves) for one point perspective drawings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve One Point Perspective for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (cardboard squares, glue sticks, scissors)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to positive space (three dimensional shapes) of one point perspective drawings
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of one point perspective drawings
3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to one point perspective drawings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples