Overview

After completing our 2D/ 3D design problem, we critiqued them as a class.  This gave students the opportunity to compliment and gently give constructive criticism, while developing their own evaluative skills.  We spent the last several weeks drawing from observation --drawing animals on loan (for example:  the mink, pileated woodpecker, mockingbird, bluebird, kingfisher, etc.) from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  Students were introduced to the concept of contour line and did contour line and blind contour line exercises .  A contour is the edge of a form.   Contour line drawings are done with one continuous line; blind contour line drawings are contour line drawings done looking only at the object that is being drawn, not at one's drawing!  These exercises resulted in unusually, beautiful, detailed drawings. 

Click here if you'd like a little lesson on Contour Line.

Here are examples of contour line and blind contour line drawings:

Once the animals were returned to the CMNH, students continued working on their tessellations, which we had just begun before the animals arrived.  Tessellations are repeating patterns that fit into themselves.  This lesson was inspired by the work of the Dutch artist, M.C. Escher.  Click here to find out more about Escher and his very unique work.

Our students began this project by cutting and manipulating pieces of a 3 inch paper square.  They looked at their pieces, tried to see what their shapes resembled and then we also brainstormed as a class.  These are most fun when two different "characters" alternate!  These will be colored with colored pencils or markers.

08-09 Course Expectations--Student Handout

Syllabus

(May vary as needed)

White on Black 2D/ 3D Design

MC Escher-inspired Tesselation

Animal Habitat Project

Basket-Weaving

Folk Art Triptych

One Point Perspective Room Drawing

Figure-in-Motion Wire Figure  (If time permits.)

Copper Enameling  (If time permits.)

Assignments

Ample time is given for students to complete art projects during art class.  If additional time is needed, students are encouraged to come to the art room to work during conference periods or study halls.  Work for the term is due at term's end.

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