Introduction

Welcome to Exploratory Art!

This website is designed to give you a glimpse into what you will be learning in 6th grade Exploratory Art.  I've organized the posts chronologically, starting with the first project of the quarter, and continuing sequentially through the nine weeks.  

If you are viewing this later in the school year, the dates may seem "old".  However, they are only an indication as to when I originally posted the lesson online.  The activities and sequence of the lessons will be the same throughout the four quarters of the 2017-2018 school year.  

I hope you will enjoy seeing the learning opportunities I have in store for you!

Sketchbook Cover Design

"MADISON" - Student work - Q2 2009-2010

The first project of the quarter is creating a sketchbook that will be used throughout the 9 weeks.  To decorate the cover, students write their name using pictographs that illustrate their unique personalities. 

Patterned Animals

Student Work - Q1 Fall 2013

This lesson introduces Exploratory Art students the art elements of line, shape, and texture.  Using an animal as a subject, students will manipulate these three elements to create an imaginary creature that demonstrates a sense of personality.  The design principle of contrast comes into play in creating visual interest through areas of light and dark.

Student Work - Q1 Fall 2013

Student Work - Q1 Fall 2009

Photo Extension

Student work - 2011

The photo extension project reinforces the blending skills students practiced in the value sketchbook assignment.  Students learn to manipulate their pencil to create a range of value, the illusion of depth, and realistic texture. 

Student work - 2013

Student work - 2016

Please note:  Each student has a choice of the image they will draw, but if they do not bring in their own image on the due date, they must select from one of the teacher's images.

Image Requirements:

- 5x7 Inches- Black and white image

(minimum of 5 values of gray)

- Objects should be three-dimensional

(for example:  a portrait of Elsa from Frozen would be acceptable

because she is rendered as a three-dimensional, but Sponge-Bob Squarepants

would not be, because he is drawn flat, or two-dimensional).  

- School appropriate subject matter 

- No words or logos

(unless it is a part of the image; such as a name on a sports jersey)

- Keep the image simple

(look at the texture of abjects as well as their shape)

- No solid backgrounds

(for example: flat white or black)

Hint:  Single subjects work best! 

An Exploration of Space...

This lesson is an introduction to the art element space. Mastering the relationship between positive and negative space is essential to creating dynamic, engaging compositions that attract and hold the viewer's eye.  

Depending upon available time, I provide two different activities to practice working with this element in art: a mirror symmetry collage or an optical art design.  Working with high-contrast colors, students experiment with abstract shapes to create a positive space (the recognizable object in the composition) that has an equal, and visually interesting relationship with its surrounding negative space (the background, or empty area around the object). 

Mirror Symmetry Collage

Student Artwork - Q3 2011

Optical Art Design

Student Artwork - Q2 2014

VanGogh-Inspired Still-Life

Once students have learned about all seven elements of art, they are ready to see how master artists incorporate them into their work.  This lesson is the first exposure 6th grade students have to art history.  They learn about the stylistic characteristics of Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh; including his use of short, dashed brush strokes, and his use of complementary color schemes as seen below in his quintessential masterpiece, "A Starry Night".

Vincent Van Gogh.  "A Starry Night", 1889.  Museum of Modern Art, NYC.

Using Van Gogh's still-life compositions as inspiration, students will create a still-life contour drawing of a vase of sunflowers, or a simple wooden chair.  They will then add complementary color to their drawings in a style that is similar to the master artist.

This art work focuses on both new and continuing skill development.  Specifically, contour line, dynamic composition through space relationships, subtractive color theory, as well as the art elements of value and texture.

Van Gogh's Inpirational Masterpieces:

(left) Vincent Van Gogh. "Van Gogh's Chair"  1888. The National Gallery, London.
(right) Vincent Van Gogh. "Three Sunfowers in a Vase"  1888. Private Collection, United States.

Van Gogh's images are reproduced here for educational purposes only.

LCMS Student art work:

Student work - 2016

Student work - 2016

Student artwork - 2011

Student artwork - 2013

Picasso-Inspired Cubist Portraits

After an introduction to the life and artwork of 20th century artist Pablo Picasso, students will create a work of art that showcases texture through collage, as well as demonstrates an understanding of the fundamentals of the Cubist aesthetic. 

Pablo Picasso.  "Portrait of Dora Maar", 1937.  Musee Picasso, Paris.

Picasso's original image is reproduced here for educational purposes only.

Using Picasso's artwork as inspiration, this culminating project asks student to integrate the art elements of line, shape, color, texture, and value to create their own Cubist portrait.

Using a photograph for inspiration, students create a portrait that incorporates Cubist attributes. 

Student artworks - Q2 2012

Wire Sculpture

A finished wire sculpture

Our final project of the quarter is also our first and only sculpture.  This one day project challenges students to further explore the art elements of space (depth) and form (three-dimentional shape). Students construct a wire person and manipulate the human figure within the context of the classroom environment.  Problem-solving skills are employed to achieve the balance and stability of a free-standing structure.

This project is a brief introduction to one of the many ways humans interact with art.  Specifically, that a work of art does not have to be static to be considered "art".