Slab Boxes

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration This teacher’s school has a modified block schedule. Over the course of the week, the students have Ceramic classes for 45 minutes one day and then two more days for 80 minutes. This project took about three weeks. Materials Clay and basic clay tools, glazes and underglazes, transfer paper, 4×4 […]

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Cut Out Color Match Paintings

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12  Duration 4 class periods, periods are 45 minutes long Materials Printer and paper, acrylic paints, small brushes, pencils, eraser, canvas paper cut into circles. Media Acrylic Paint Lesson Objectives For the student to: understand tones, tints, and shade. to apply accurate color matches to a portion of a photo. Introductory Activity […]

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Negative Space Watercolor Painting

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12  Duration 20 class periods, periods are 50 minutes long Materials 140 lb watercolor paper, small paper (like card stock), masking tape, pencil, scissors, salt, plastic wrap, watercolor sets (Prang is recommended), India ink, or acrylic paint Media Watercolor Lesson Objectives For the student to: Explore the element of art of shape. […]

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Mapping our Identities: Conté Self Portraits

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 (ideal for 10/11) Duration 20 class periods, periods are 50 minutes long Materials maps, premium heavy-weight print paper, black and white conté crayon, computer and printer Media Drawing, graphite paper Lesson Objectives For the student to Explore how identity is connected to geography Appreciate maps as a design form and artifact […]

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Celebrity Reduction Prints

  Grade Level 9-10,11-12 Duration 12-15 periods, periods are 40-minute periods Materials Photoshop (or similar program), printer, Speedball Speedy-Carve Block Printing Carving Block (or similar material, or linoleum), benchbook/ink plate, speedball ink, 90lb paper (cut to 9×12 to match the size of blocks), brayer (roller), lino cutters, printing press or hand, wooden spoon and/or baren for hand […]

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Wild Life Conservation Pen and Ink Composite Drawings

  Grade Level 9-10,11-12 Duration 15 days- Block Schedule 73 min long class periods Materials 12 x 15-inch paper, Prismacolor ink pens, computers or iPads with access to Photoshop or comparable programs, printer Media Pen and Ink Lesson Objectives Main Objective For the student to: • Create an Ink drawing about animal conservation locally. Secondary […]

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Figure Study

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration several 10 minute sessions once a week over 7 weeks plus three class periods Materials This is a mixed media project. Use different media each week. Media may include: Graphite, pen, and ink (or permanent markers), markers, crayons, acrylic paint, watercolor, oil pastel Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives For the […]

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3D Bending Planes

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 weeks Materials 8.5 x 11-inch computer paper, X-Acto knives, and plenty of fresh blades Media Paper cutting Lesson Objectives For the student to… learn the art of paper cutting by creating a spontaneous cut design using geometric or free-form shapes. Think how the 2-D design can be manipulated, without […]

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Steampunk Sculpture

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration unknown Materials Cardboard, cardboard, wire, scissors, glue (yahoo liquid glue), masking tape, steampunk embellishments found, scavenged, or bought (you can buy in bulk at Amazon (https://amzn.to/399d0AE, https://amzn.to/3LiqK9P), plaster bandage OR paper mache (wallpaper paste or glue/flour mixture), bowls, gesso, newspaper, brushes, variety of acrylic paint colors, including metallic. Media Mixed […]

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Art Nouveau Portraits

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration Approximately 5-6 periods, 90 minute periods Materials 18×24 watercolor paper, pencil, sharpie (fine and extra-fine point), erasers, pan watercolor set (Reeves preferred), *metallic paint Art Noveau visual resources Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives To be able to reflect an understanding of art nouveau through creating an original portrait in Art […]

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Collage Self Portrait

Grade Level 11-12 Duration This teacher assigns this as a summer project and students keep track of the time they spend on it which can range from 12-100+ hours. The average student spends 20-40 hours typically. Materials Heavy paper board (11” x 14” or larger): Matte, corrugated, railroad, cardboard. (Not poster or bristol. They are […]

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Radial Print

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration Duration 7-10 periods, 60 minute periods Materials • Linoleum, Either a roll or flat 36” x 36” linoleum sheets in Battleship Grey or Golden Wonder Cut, cut down into 4” x 4” pieces for students. • Paper for sketching out potential designs • Paper cut down to 9” x 17” […]

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Cut Paper-Inspired Biomes/Environments

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 days- Block Schedule 73 min long class periods Materials Adobe Illustrator, Teacher created Youtube Videos, Computer Lab, Computer, Wacom Boards, Internet, Worksheet, TAG Worksheet, Sketchbook, Pencil. Media Digital Lesson Objectives Idea Objectives: • Investigate what makes an environment recognizable • Consider, “How can I incorporate those shapes into a […]

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Personal Polynesian Inspired Coil Sculpture

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3 weeks for construction with an every other day 90 minute block schedule, 1 additional week for glazing Materials Clay, clay tools, access to a kiln for firing, underglaze, glazes, brushes Media Clay Lesson Objectives For the student to… understand the concept of cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation. understand the […]

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Cell phones for Art: Window to another world

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials printer, paper, digital illustration media like Illustrator, solid-colored sheets of paper or board to act as a background, access to personal cell phones (can be faked by photoshop if there is a firm no phones policy) Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives For the […]

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Good Enough to Eat: Photo Realistic Color Pencil

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 classes, 90 minutes Materials Good quality color pencils like Prisma Colors (https://amzn.to/3tiX6f1) or Faber Castell (https://amzn.to/3tiX6f1), odorless turpentine (I suggest a safer alternative such as Citra Solve, https://amzn.to/3ncmcsg), rubbing alcohol, q-tips, 300 gsm or 140 lb paper such as Bristol paper is traditional for color pencil (some color pencil […]

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Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Inspired Self Portrait

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Paper, drawing pencils, blending stumps, rulers, colored pencils Media Pencil, Color pencils Lesson Objectives For the student to… learn about how art is used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. to create their own Calavera design. understand how to use a grid to […]

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Drawing on a photo

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 4-5 classes of 45-minute length (depends on how familiar students are with digital media) Materials A program that you work on layers and draw digitally, like Photoshop and a drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Media Digital, Mixed media Lesson Objectives For the student to: become familiar with digital media […]

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Big Head Project

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration Six weeks, 50 minutes periods Materials 5-gallon bucket/round trash can, cardboard, masking tape, x-acto knives, plastic grocery bags, newspaper, art paste (flour and water also work for paper mache), paint, and anything else you may want to use for hair and eyes (we used softball-sized whiffle balls). Media Sculpture Lesson […]

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Patterned Animals

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Adobe Illustrator Media Digital Lesson Objectives For the student to… understand making using Adobe Illustrator’s pattern maker. understand how to approximate a pattern’s value. to use original and found patterns to collage digitally an illustration of an animal. Introductory Activity This project assumes […]

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Biomorphic Polychromatic Paintings

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 4-5 70 minute class periods Materials 9×12 canvas board (or railroad board), heavy body acrylics, variety of brushes, palettes Media Painting, Acrylic Lesson Objectives For the student to… • Listen, observe and research concepts and content to develop an idea for the project. • Express information, feelings and/or ideas visually […]

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Found Object Assemblage Inspired By Louise Nevelson

Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Collect objects that are discarded. You can ask students, parents, and other teachers to bring in objects appropriate to the scale you wish to work. cardboard, scissors, utility knives, hot glue, wood glue, glue, tape, spray paint, paint, paintbrushes, found objects, […]

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Pinch Vase and Bottle

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration two week project to build two of them. (90 minute block classes) Materials 3 to 4 pounds of clay Needle Tool A tool for scoring Ribbon Tools Wooden carving tools A bag to store your clay A bag to store your work. Slip or Vinegar Sketches what you are […]

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Elderly Blue Pen Portrait

Grade Level 11-12 Duration Approximately three weeks during remote learning with advanced students. Materials Blue Pen, Paper, 18×24 school grade drawing paper is what this lesson used (student did a pick up for paper) but could be modified as needed. An artist who works in this media and prefers slightly textured paper with a weight […]

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Nature monoprints with gelatin plates

Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2-3 classes of 45 minute length Materials gelitin plate (homemade or commercial), inks (I used Speedball) or paints, brayers, newspaper, paper, leaves, ferns and other plant material, and texture plates or textured materials Media Printing, Monoprint Lesson Objectives Students will… create and original monoprint applying concepts of shape, […]

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Ink Monsters

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2-3 45 minute class periods Materials Black India Ink. sharpie, micron pens, white smooth cardstock, scissors, glue. air spray canister (check and see if your tech folks have some to share) or straws, color pencils (optional) Media Pen and Ink, India Ink Lesson Objectives For the student to stretch […]

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Masks

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials This project was done with clay but could be done with paper mache. Student collect recycled material to create an armature from (cereal boxes, egg cartons, etc. Basic clay tools like a knife, rolling pin, sculpting tools, etc. Media Clay Lesson Objectives […]

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Day of the Dead (dia de los Muertos) Illustration (using vector art)

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Computer with the Adobe Illustrator program Media Digital Lesson Objectives The student will… Learn about the geometric concepts like radial patterns and symmetry. Will learn a variety of Adobe Illustrator tools including the rotate, reflect, pathfinder options, and blend tool. Introductory Activity Talk […]

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In Your Face! Clay Pot Lesson

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 12-15 classes, 45 minutes Materials Clay, Slip, Carving tools, Metal Rib, Needle Tool, Clay knife, Scoring tool, sponges, bowl for slip, canvas, spray bottle, water Media Clay Lesson Objectives Objectives: Students will: Be exposed to the history of African face pots, Create a face pot that incorporates both text and […]

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Zentangle Inspired Designs

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Pencil, eraser, Ultra and Fine tip sharpies or Micron pens (Black, 01, 03, 05). Ideally, permanent markers so it doesn’t smudge or bleed. I purchased heavy 8.5x 10 inch cardstock and cut it to 8 inch squares. White out pen. Media Markers […]

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Neurographic Art

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Brushes, heavier paper, gouche paints, sharpie marker * can be done with markers, watercolor, etc. Media Gouache, Markers Lesson Objectives For the student to understand art as a therapeutic tool. For the student to understand the process of creating neurogenic art. For […]

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Text Figures and Portraits

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 classes, 45 minutes Materials Access to a program like Illustrator. Alternatives include online program Vectr , https://vectr.com/, or downloadable Inkscape. Media Digital Lesson Objectives The student will… Create a portrait or figure out of text. Be exposed to and explore a wide range of text choices Understand how to […]

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Hockney Inspired Photomontages

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Digital Camera (although can be done with an analog cameras as well) and photo editing software like Photoshop or web application like Pixlr Media Photography/Film/Technology Lesson Objectives The student will learn… About the process of artist/photographer David Hockney for his photomontages How to […]

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Edward Weston Inspired Photographs

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Digital camera (phones are fine), simple editing program (https://pixlr.com/) Media Photography/Film/Technology Lesson Objectives For the student to… Recognize the work of Edward Weston Photograph ordinary things, and make it look extraordinary Learn about light, shadow and value as elements Practice composition, zooming […]

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Color theory with Fruit Forms

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Oil pastels (I use Crayola), Varied color construction paper (I like fadeless) OR varied colors of pastel paper. Working larger on lager sizes help students work with looser and more active marks I feel. Fruit (fake or real), spot light *Chalk pastels can […]

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Typography & Texture Study

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 forty five minute periods (size dependent) Materials Typing paper and one of the following: dark color pencil, crayon, graphite stuck or pencil Media Pencil, Wax crayons, Color pencils Lesson Objectives For the student… To find a variety of type and texture To create a collage of type and […]

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Trashion

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 classes, 45 minutes Materials Any material that is available for upcycling goes. Nice to have would be a dress form but students can use their own bodies as well. Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives The students will… Exploring the social and environmental cost related to clothing and fashion Discuss […]

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Earthwork Sculptures

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 12-15 classes, 45 minutes Materials Materials will vary depending on student, emphasis on materials from nature Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives Students will… Create a piece of environmental sculpture in their own (or school environment). Students consider relationships between the environment and their sculpture. Understand the purpose of environmental art […]

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Grid Drawings from Magazine Collages

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 8 class periods, 45 minutes Materials Collage materials, and tools: magazines, colored paper, masking tape, feathers, etc., glue, scissors. Drawing supplies: pencils (be sure to have some soft lead pencils for dark values), rulers, viewfinders, paper Media Drawing, Pencil, Collage Lesson Objectives Students translate color into black and white values, […]

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Interactive Drawing/Sub Plan

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 1 period/ possibly a sketchbook assignment Materials Pencil, paper/sketchbook Media Pencil, Photography/Film/Technology Lesson Objectives For the student to… Practice creativity skills by combining every-day objects with simple illustrations to turn them into pictures of playful scenes. Introductory Activity Introduce students to artists to artist Victor Nunes and cartoonists Humaun Kabir […]

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Melted Still life

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 10 classes, 45 minutes Materials Graded Pencils Media Pencil Lesson Objectives For the student to: Draw a still life of basic forms with accuracy in depicting space and form. Use imagination and understanding of form to deconstruct and/or distort the still life. Introductory Activity Within a curriculum that leads up to […]

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Art History Valentines Day Cards

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 periods of 45 minute length Materials Students select the media they feel most appropriate. Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives For students to… Become more familiar with famous artists and artworks To become familiar with an artists style To show an awareness of matching font to their selected artist’s […]

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Jen Stark Inspired Drip

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 4 classes of 45 minutes per period s Materials Adobe Illustrator or other comparable vector art program Media Digital Lesson Objectives For the student to… Recognize the work of Jen Stark Analyze her work for color usage. How would you describe her colors and color schemes. Foe the students to […]

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Vector Art Reflected Portraits

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 10 45 minute periods Materials Camera, Adobe Illustrator Media Digital Lesson Objectives For the student to: Master Adobe Illustrator vector art skills, pen tool skills and layers in particular To use create a compelling portrait (my be a portrait of a self, friend, or family) using reflections in a way that […]

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Scannography Self Portraits

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 periods of approximate 45 minutes (I rotate students through scanner during while another project is on-going) Materials Scanner and editing program such as Photoshop Media Photography/Film/Technology, Digital Lesson Objectives For the student to: Understand how to use a scanner Understand the how a scanner is like and different from […]

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Paper Bag Perspective

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 class periods, 45 minutes Materials Brown butcher paper, color pencils (I have also done this lesson with just pencil and white conte and simple crayons could be another potential media). Media Color pencils Lesson Objectives For students to observe and apply fundamental perspective skills in drawing lunch bags. Introductory […]

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Clay Relief

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10-13 classes, 45 minutes Materials Clay, glaze, a variety of clay tools (ribbon tools, fettling knife, needle tools, sponges, etc) Media Clay Lesson Objectives For the student… To Understand the difference between high and low relief. To visually create a sense of space in a low relief. To demonstrate […]

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Natural Abstractions

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 12-15 classes, 45 minutes Materials Surface to paint on (this could be canvas, canvas board, canvas paper, gesso covered board- in these examples it was gessoed paper and they did wrinkle a bit), acrylic paint (your budget- your favorite brand of tube acrylics or bottles), acrylic extender (such as Golden […]

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Explorations in Line:Plant Studies

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 6 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Variety of plant cuttings, watercolor paper cut into to long verticals, watercolor sets, markers, brushes, watercolor cups Alternative method (purple example) was created in photoshop with scanned sketches and would require a scanner, computer and program such as Photoshop to execute Media Watercolor, […]

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Paper Marbling, Origami Box and Bag

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 class periods, 40 minutes in length Materials carrageenan found at https://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-carrageenan/, paper, a tray large enough to accommodate paper, jars, or droppers to hold watered-down paint, and acrylic paint, a blender if possible, and a large drying rack. For making the bag and box, glue sticks, scissors (or […]

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Symbolic Self Portrait

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 classes, 45 minutes Materials Computers with Photoshop (or comparable image editing program). Nice to have, but not necessary, a drawing tablet. Might me possible to do portions on a tablet with drawing programs such a Sketchbook pro. Media Digital Lesson Objectives To develop photoshop skills in collaging images from […]

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Coil Pot

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration about 15 classes, 45 minutes long Materials Clay (I just used a basic white low fire earthenware clay), slip, surface to work on (I use canvas), basic clay handbuilding tools, particularly a clay fettling knife. Media Clay Lesson Objectives To create a symmetrical coil pot displaying good craft and […]

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Type Animal Illustrations with Haiku

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Adobe Illustrator Media Digital Lesson Objectives The objective is To create awareness of typographical forms To think creatively to create an illustration using the appropriate tools in Illustrator To layout a page of type and text Introductory Activity Teach the anatomy of type […]

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Self Portrait Value Books

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Students were given access to a variety of materials including tempera, acrylic, pen and ink, charcoal. watercolor, micron pens, etc. Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives To create a self portrait using a different value for each of the eight segments. These pieces actually […]

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Abstract line design

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Computers with Adobe Illustrator, Printer Media Digital Lesson Objectives To understand the blend tool in Adobe Illustrator. To create an abstract composition using line, line weight and movement. To use color effectively to create contrast and emphasis. Introductory Activity Introduce students to the […]

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Printmaking and Paper Quilts

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 5-7 (90 min block) class periods Materials 3×6 or any size linoleum scraps, lino cutters, printing inks, colored papers, poster board, glue sticks, scissors, rulers and a small press is optional. Media Printing Lesson Objectives Use printmaking to create a unique “paper” quilt. Introductory Activity INTRO ACTIVITY: I was inspired […]

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Repeat Pattern Designs for Textile & Fashion Designs

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-6 classes Materials Watercolor painting materials or digital camera for photography, computer, scanner, color printer, software Adobe Photoshop (or similar), mounting board Media Paper, Photography/Film/Technology, Digital, Photoshop Lesson Objectives Create repeat patterns designs by rotating original images (watercolor paintings or photographs) to use as textile designs for fashions Introductory Activity […]

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Abstract Trees After Mondrian

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 10 classes Materials Heavy Drawing Paper 18″ x 24″ Drawing Pencils Oil Pastels Caran D’Ache Watercolor Crayons Media Pencil, Wax crayons, Oil pastels, Paper Lesson Objectives Students will observe and accurately draw a tree in nature. Students will abstract their drawings based on research and study of Mondrian’s Tree series. Students […]

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Paper Marbling

Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 class periods, 40 minutes in length Materials carrageenan found at https://amzn.to/3EOtdao, paper, a tray large enough to accommodate paper, (https://amzn.to/3vepsYq) jars or droppers to hold watered down paint, and acrylic paint, a blender if possible, and a large drying rack. Media Acrylic, Paper Lesson Objectives Students will be […]

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Claes Oldenburg Cardboard Sculptures

Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 15 classes, at 50 minutes per class Materials Cardboard, paste (half water, half elmers), tape and hot glue Media Lesson Objectives Students will learn how use scale and proportions skills. They will gain group and communication skills as well as creative thinking with others. Introductory Activity Claes Oldenburg photos, videos, […]

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Pointillism Lesson

Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 4 class – 90 minutes Materials Canvas (we used A4), pencil, acrylic or oil colors, pointed brush (number 4-8), palettes Media Acrylic Lesson Objectives Submitted by Eva. Students will be able to observe and draw colors and shapes correctly in relation to the light source. Introductory Activity Introduce […]

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Abstract Value

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 8 class periods, 40 minute periods Materials Drawing paper, a variety of stencils, powdered graphite, artist chamoise (or recycle an old cotton t-shirt), a nice quality paper cut to approximately 16×20 inches, a variety of erasure types- especially erasure pencils! stencils *Tip (graphite powder can be bought in a hardware store […]

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Digital Quilt

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Computers, Adobe Illustrator, Printer Media Digital Lesson Objectives Students will learn about the art of quilt making and the historical significance of quilting to the community of Gee’s Bend. Students will draw inspiration from the quilts of Gee’s bend to create their own quilt […]

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Trompe l’oeil Self Portraits

Grade Level 11-12 Duration 10-12 forty-five minute periods Materials Drawing paper, Drawing Pencil Sets with varying grades, Erasers including stick erasers Media Pencil Lesson Objectives To be able to identify the traits of a Trompe l’oeil artwork. To be able to emulate a Trompe l’oeil artwork. To be able to observe values and replicate them […]

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