Monochromatic Statues

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Monochromatic Statue using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use monochromatic colors (black grey white), line types (horizontal vertical diagonal), and shape variation (geometric organic free form) inspired by Australian Artist (1967-Present) Matthew Quick
• Use core observational skills (proportion, mapping, angle accuracy, edge control) and design principles (composition balance proportion) based on 19th Century French academic tradition
• Define Annotate (adding written notes, explanations, or critical comments directly next to or onto visual pieces)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Messenger (2015) Matthew Quick 

2. Read Charles Bargue Drawing Course by Charles Bargue

3. Discussion Questions "Can you explain your creative process? What media have you used? What is successful in your artwork? What art elements and principles did you use in your artwork? What could be improved in your artwork? What art elements and principles could you add to your artwork? How does value create the illusion of three-dimensional form on a flat surface? What do you think the culture valued, by looking at those examples? How do artists show the focus of the human body, athletics, and emphasis of individuality? Did you know most of the Greek works are Roman copies after the original were lost? Did you know Greek art was the first time in Western art that artists choose to sign his or her work? Who owns the past? What would happen to an overall drawing if the initial placement of the major angles if off by a small fraction? How does stepping back from an easel change the perspective on the proportions? How many distinct values (lights, mid tones, core shadows) do you see in this specific artwork? Is your drawing taller, shorter, or the same size as the picture you are copying?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use geometric shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, face structure) of the Monochromatic Statues 

2. Use geometric shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles) to draw the negative space (background) of the Monochromatic Statues 

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (foreground, middle ground, face structure) of the Monochromatic Statues 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Monochromatic Statues for Assigned Tables

2. Remedial Measures (2013) Matthew Quick

3. Discussion Questions "Where is the main light source hitting the marble or bronze? Where is the primary light source coming from, and how does the edge of the core shadow define the muscular structure? Are the lines in this statue appearing parallel or are these lines tilting in opposite directions to create contrapposto? What is the negative space created between the shoulders, torso, and the arms? How does drawing the negative shape help an artist get correct proportions? How does the texture of marble or bronze alter the way light slides across the skin compared to how it falls on drapery or hair? If this statue is a Roman marble copy of a lost Greek bronze original, what structural supports (tree trunks fig leaves) did the marble sculptor have to add to keep the heavy stone from snapping? Does this figure appear to be an idealized god, a celebrated athlete, or an ordinary human being? What visual cues tell you its status? How does the scale of the statue alter your emotional response when standing in front of it compared to looking at it on a flat screen?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (shadows, highlights, texture) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, facial structures) of the Monochromatic Statues 

2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, facial structures) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the Monochromatic Statues 

3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the Monochromatic Statues 

Day Three, Art Start 

1. Retrieve Monochromatic Statues for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, charcoal, erasers, pencils, chalk, drawing paper) 

Lesson Activities

1. Add tints (add white, reflective light, light source) to subject matter (foreground, middle ground, facial structures) of the Monochromatic Statues 

2. Add shadows (add black, cast shadows, shadow) to the background (negative space) of the Monochromatic Statues 

3. Use drawing tools (pencils, oil pastels, charcoal, chalk) to add details (shadows, highlights, texture) to the Monochromatic Statues 

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

 Easter Island Heads

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Easter Island Head using drawing techniques in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic), space (positive, negative), and texture (smooth, rough) inspired by the Rapa Nui People from Polynesia
• Use art element: line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and design principles (balance, composition, repetition) based on Monolithic Art
• Define Moai (gigantic carved stone figures found on Easter Island)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. View of the Northeast of the Exterior Space of the Quarry, with several moai (human figure carving) on the slopes (2021) Trustees of the British Museum

2. Read Among Stone Giants: The Life of Katherine Routledge and Her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island by Van Tilburg

3. Discussion Questions "What do the moat figures of Easter Island represent? How were the moat carved? Who made the moai on Easter Island? What happened to the figures from Easter Island in 1978? What is the language spoken on Easter Island? What are the mysteries of Easter Island? What is Isle De Pascua? What happened to the Rapa Nui civilization? What resources would have been limited on Easter Island? What is the most widely accepted theory for the purpose of the late statues Moai on Easter island?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 8 X 12 Construction Paper

2. Add line types (contour outline continuous) to the positive space (face) of the statue drawings

3. Outline line types (contour outline continuous) with the neutral colors (black brown grey) for the Easter Island Heads 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Easter Island Heads for Assigned Tables

2. Moai on the Hillside of Rano Kau (1500 CE) Trustees of the British Museum

3. Discussion Questions "What are the Main on Easter Island? What is life like for Indigenous people today? Are the lines curved, straight, thick, or thin? What types of shapes do you see? What are the colors of these statues? What do you think the colors on the statues are form? What are the similarities and differences between these stories? What can you see? What do you think the meaning behind this image is? What do you like about this image? What are some art elements and principles you can see?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the positive space (face) of the statue drawings

2. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative shape (background) of the statue drawings

3. Use embellishments (plastic eyes, bubble wrap, brown paper) to fill in the positive space (face) of the Easter Island Heads

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Easter Island Head for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, construction paper)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive shape (face) of the statue drawings

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the statue drawings

3. Add details (eyelashes, old stone, grass) for the positive space (face) and negative space (background) of the Easter Island Head

Artist Examples

Student Examples