Goal (Terminal Objective):

Explore the use of a variety of media with appropriate skills and drawing techniques.

Objective:

Students will observe Van Gogh’s painting of sunflowers and discuss the use of the various principles and elements that he applied to his work. Line, shape, balance, repetition, color, and emphasis are explored.

National Standards:

Visual Arts Grades 9­-12 Content Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes

Visual Arts Grades 9­-12 Content Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

Visual Arts Grades 9­-12 Content Standard 4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures

Visual Arts Grades 9­-12 Content Standard 5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others

Visual Arts Grades 9­-12 Content Standard 6: Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines (Social Studies Cross Curriculum Connection)

Purpose:

Students will create a contour drawing and experiment using Sargent watercolor crayons and metallic acrylic.

New Vocabulary:

contour drawing, modified contour drawing, watercolor paper, metallic acrylic paint

Materials:

white drawing paper

#22-1112 Watercolor Crayons

#25-2399 Metallic Acrylic Paint

Time:

Three 1­hour sessions

Introduction and Motivation (Set):

Introduce students to the work and style of Vincent Van Gogh and the technique of contour drawing.

Instruction:

Through internet access, students will study several examples of Van Gogh’s Sunflower paintings. Discuss how Van Gogh practiced painting the same subject several times, exploring, alternating, and modifying his work with each piece. Discuss the effects of changing light on the flowers.
Explain and demonstrate contour drawing. Discuss how lines can have an influence on a drawing by varying the width of a line. Provide examples of contour drawings.The teacher will demonstrate by drawing several contours of a bouquet of flowers. Demonstrate modified contour drawings.
Using one of the practice contour drawings, demonstrate coloring with the Sargent Art Water Color Crayons. Apply a wet brush to the colored surface for the “wow” factor.Complete the contour drawing with the Sargent Water Color Crayons and accent the highlights with Sargent’s Acrylic Metallic Paint.

Activities:

(1) Guided Practice:

1. Students will practice three contourdrawings.





2. Students will practice three modified contourdrawings.
3. Students will practice using Sargent Water ColorCrayons.



4. Students will practice apply water to the crayon paintings and explore the possibilities using theproduct.

(2) Independent Practice and Check forUnderstanding: Students will draw a modified contour drawing, color with Sargent Water Color Crayons, adding water to the crayon and exploring the possibilities of theeffect.

(3) Closure: Students will have drawn a contour drawing in the style of Van Gogh andused Sargent’s Water Color Crayons to complete theirdrawings.

Evaluation:

Use teacher or class critiques to evaluate particularly strong works and strong qualities within works.
Level One — The finished sculpture clearly and consistently resembles the subject. The student successfully recorded physical characteristics and expresses personality of the subject. Proportions are accurate. The details are interesting and clear. The student used materials appropriately to create the desired visual effect. Craftsmanship is excellent.

Level Two — The student has completed an outstanding painting that is an original and a creative interpretation of Van Gogh’s sunflowers. A strong line quality is shown in the contour drawing of the flowers and vase. A pleasing composition is created and good skills are shown in the use of the crayon water colorproduct.

Level Three — The student has completed a painting of sunflowers. The contour line drawing is modified. The composition is poorly executed. The technical use of the crayon water colors is average and shows no signs of exploration.

Level Four — The students has completed a poor quality painting of sunflowers. No contour lines are evident nor is the composition balanced or exciting. The student has not mastered the use of the crayon water colors.

Extension:

Sargent Metallic Acrylic Paint can then be applied for accents or highlights.

Resources:

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/Netherart.htm
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=van+gogh+sunflower+paintings&mkt=en­us#
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/sunflowerindex.html