Mouse Proportions 

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Mouse Proportions using drawing techniques in class
• Use shape variation (geometric organic), line types (horizontal vertical diagonal), and space (positive negative) inspired by American Animator (1901-1971) Ub Iwerks
• Use paper techniques (folding bending cutting) and design principles (balance movement proportion) based on American Art
• Define Composition (placement or arrangement of visual elements in a work of art)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Steamboat Willie Animation Production Drawing (1928) Ub Iwerks

2. Read Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

3. Discussion Questions, "What kind of animal is Mickey Mouse? How many buttons are are Mickey Mouse's pants? What are the names of the two dogs on Mickey's Clubhouse? What is the color of Mickey Mouse's shoes? What is the name of Mickey Mouse's pet? What is the name of the film where Mickey made his debut? What is the name of Mickey Mouse's girlfriend? When did Micky first appear animated in color? Who was the first in voicing Mickey Mouse? What is Mickey Mouse full name? Who is Mickey Mouse's nemesis?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 8" X 12" Drawing Paper

2. Add line types (contour outline perspective) to the positive space (animal) of the mouse compositions

3. Outline line types (contour outline perspective) with neutral colors (black grey white) of the mouse composition

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mouse Proportions for Assigned Table 

2. Mickey Mouse and Pete Production Drawing (1928) Ub Iwerks

3. Discussion Questions "What animal are you going to draw? What is the animal doing? What body covering does the name have? What type of animal is it? Where could the animal be going? Is the animal happy or sad? What is the background of the image? What is behind the animal drawing? what is the largest mammal in the world? What animal is the tallest in the world? What is the slowest animal in the world? What animal has the longest life span? What is your favorite animal?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the positive space (mouse) of the mouse compositions

2. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the mouse compositions

3. Use embellishments (plastic eyes, bubble wrap, brown paper) to fill the positive space (mouse) of the mouse compositions

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Mouse Proportions for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, scissors, glue sticks) 

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (mouse) of the mouse compositions 

2. Add shadow (cast shadow, reflective shadow) to fill the negative space (background) of the mouse compositions

3. Add details (whispers, spots, eyelashes) to the positive space (mouse) of the Mouse Proportions

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Heather Galler Coffee Cups

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create a whimsical coffee cup using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use pattern (polka dots, stripes, zig zags), texture (steam, chalk, puffs), and warm/cool colors (red, orange, yellow; green, blue, purple) based on Colonial Artist (1970-Present) Heather Galler
• Use design principles (repetition, balance, harmony) based on 21st Century Art Movements
• Define Whimsical (to look or appear playful or humorous)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1.  Stacked Cups (2011) Heather Galler
2. Read Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk
3. Discussion Questions "What is pattern? Why is color important in art? How does color help create a mood in a work of art? What is a folk artist? Which one is folk art and what makes you think so? What can you tell about Galler from the types of things that she paints (pets, flowers, angels, landscapes)? What do you notice about her landscapes? What else do you see? Why do you think people like her paintings so much?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Choose 12" by 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use pencil to draw the basic shapes (oval, cylinder, circle) of one of three sized (small, medium, large) coffee cup drawing
3. Use a pencil to draw the basic shapes (oval, cylinder, circle) of a handle and plate for the coffee cup drawing

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cup of Fantasy for Assigned Table
2. Tea Time (2011) Heather Galler
3. Discussion Questions "Why do you think the artist does what she does? How is her work similar or different to your own? What does she have in the background of her artwork? What role do artists have in society? What is going on in her artwork? Does your opinion about the artwork change the longer you look at it? How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it? What elements of this painting seem real? What is strange about this painting? What is normal about this painting?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Use a black permanent marker to outline the outside of the handle, plate, and coffee cup drawing
2.  Fill in the positive space (coffee cup) with warm colors (red, orange, yellow) of the coffee cup drawing
3. Fill in the negative space (background) with cool colors (green, blue, purple) of the coffee cup drawing

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Cup of Fantasy for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, marker, paint brushes)

Lesson Activities

1. Use permanent marker to fill in the positive space (coffee cup) with pattern (stripes, zig zags, polka dots) of the coffee cup drawing
2. Use permanent marker to fill in the negative space (coffee cup) with pattern (stripes, zig zags, polka dots) of the coffee cup drawing
3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, mid tone) to the coffee cup drawings

Artist Examples

Student Examples