Serving Art Educators
and Students Since 1994
Submitted by: Nicole Brisco, Pleasant Grove High School
UNIT: Advance Studio Art – 2-D and 3-D
Grade Level: High School (lessons are adaptable to all high school)
Mixed Media Collage | Community Collage | Rauschenberg Mixed Media | Alice Neal Figure | Intimate Portrait | Reflective Portrait – Identity | Game of Life
Nicole Brisco teaches art at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas. "Art for me is more than a subject, more than an ideology, or a picture in a book. It is truly a life journey." Read Nicole's Philosophy of Art Education.
E-mail Nicole Brisco if you have questions.
Objective:
Students will use figure drawings and their study of the artist Alice Neel to create a finished work using mixed media and text. After researching the life and works of Alice Neel, students will realize that there is a strong connection between the artist and its subject. Students will aim to emulate this connection within their own finished figurative works. Light discussion will be encouraged so that the student and model can begin to understand each other. Students should also use their knowledge on composition to create a strong design.
Below are some ideas that you might follow to give your work originality.
Textural design
Depth
Cardboard
Text
Color
Use of other Artist as inspiration (Alice Neel)
Mixed Media
Text
The focus of your finished work should be a definite connection between your art and the viewer. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due:
1 drawing that shows strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a strong light source.
1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must me a controlled and mature sense of color.
1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a confident contour line with strong weighted line.
1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a challenge with media.
Each piece will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before they are due. Additional small drawings will be assigned, but it is your responsibility to finish each drawing and allow yourself time to complete each individual assignment.
Graded: Composition (use of space), technique, originality, drawing
Size: No larger than 34X36 (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 16X20 (40.6 x 50.8 cm)
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Alice Neel Research
Thumbnails
Color Theory
Practice Drawing
Alice Neel Images
Additional pertinent information or drawings
Art Criticism over two works by Neel.
Daily Journaling.
Short presentation of work and research
Resources
Books
Alice Neel - Alice Neel (1900-1984) talks about her life, her ideas on art, and the world at large in this book. She painted well-known figures in art, literature, music, politics as well as her family and friends - depicting them clothed and sometimes naked, thus exposing their vulnerability. Never compromising, she kept to one goal: to paint people as she saw them.
Alice Neel - With 224 illustrations, 86 in color, and essays by curators from various museum venues, this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date view of her work.
Alice Neel: Painted Truths - This book brings together paintings that demonstrate Neel's range and ability, along with insightful commentary from four leading art historians. Although the book focuses on her portraits, it also covers the artist's early social realist paintings and cityscapes, tracing the evolution of Neel's style and examining themes that she revisited throughout her career.
Objective:
Students will select an object of interest using symbolism. Students will then create multiple original drawings to incorporate into their mixed media work. Students will research narrative/symbolic works and mixed media works. Students are to draw from life in their work and use the compositional skills they have learned.
Below is a list of objectives that must be apparent in your finished work: See student art
Minimum of 5 layers
Size between 18X24 (46 x 61 cm) to 24X36 (61 x 91 cm)
One object/Drawing from Life - Symbolic
Strong composition and Visual Movement
Unified colors and theme
Below is a list of starters:
LOOK ON-LINE FOR MIXED MEDIA ARTISTS
TRY LAYERING TECHNIQUES IN YOUR PROCESS DIARY
GATHER UNUSUAL SURFACES AND MATERIALS
SKETCHING OF OBJECT
THUMBNAIL
BRAINSTORM
Graded:
Composition (use of space), technique, originality, expression of drawing, layers, use of media, craftsmanship, and aesthetics.
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Research
Thumbnails
Color Theory
Practice Drawing
Mixed Media Images
Additional pertinent information or drawings
Art Criticism over work.
Daily Journaling.
See additional image for this lesson.
Objective:
Utilizing the theme of "community", students will select an object that represents this to them. Students will take this object and create a mixed media work that demonstrates the following: design, color, creative use of media, purposeful thinking.
Project:
Brainstorm and select an object. Example: Pomegranate.
Create 2 thumbnails that have the following present: a minimum of 20 images from your object, linear/compartmental design, media, and colors
24X36 (61 x 91 cm) surface.
Think about the following:
Cutting out
Adding layers
Building colors
Ways to approach on subject
Unifying objects
Beginning surface, i.e. wood, metal, layered paper
Uniqueness of object
Graded on:
CRAFTSMANSHIP
DESIGN
COLORS
UNIQUENESS
OVERALL APPEAL
Objective:
Students will research and study the life of Robert Rauschenberg. Student will create a mixed media assemblage using found materials to create a sculptural interpretation of an action or theme. The overall goal to create a strong conceptual representation of their theme while retaining the integrity of the works craftsmanship and three dimensionality. Student should use their knowledge on the element and principles of design to create a strong three-dimensional design. Below are some materials that could be a starting point:
Boxes
Salvaged Metal
Ready Mades
Salvaged Wood
Small Trinkets
String, Twine, Twisteez Wire
Your finished work should be influenced but not limited to the work of Robert Rauschenberg. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.
One completed assemblage not to exceed in size any direction by 36 inches (91 cm). This assemblage should be reflective of your original thumbnail sketch.
This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.
Graded: Overall Design, Use of a Three-Dimensional Space, Originality, Craftsmanship.
Size: No larger than 36"X36" (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 12"X12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Robert Rauschenberg Research
Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes
Construction ideas
Robert Rauschenberg Images
Image of Assemblage by other artists
Additional pertinent information or drawings.
Art Criticism over two works by Rauschenberg.
Daily Journaling
Short presentation of work and research
Self Assessment
Rauschenberg Prints
They say that humans spend 95% of their lives in uneventful moments, but we as humans usually document the only the most eventful moments such as, birthdays, graduations, births, and special occasions. As artist, we have the opportunity to make these ordinary moments extraordinary. Looking at human nature can be very interesting if you choose to look closely. Students will create a figurative work based on a simplistic time in a friend or family member’s life. The overall goal is to connect the viewer with the person represented in the work See student art.
Rolled Canvas Rolls
Drawing Media (Drawing Pencils
, Colored Pencils
, Oil Pastels
, or Charcoal)
Additional Media for interest
At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.
One completed intimate portrait of a friend or family member. This work should represent the person in a personal way. Students should create a unique source of light or innovative color use.
This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.
Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, Intimate or Connection to Viewer.
Size: No larger than 4’X5’ (122 x 152 cm), no smaller than 18X24 (46 x 61 cm)
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes
Additional pertinent information or drawings
Color Study
Practice drawings from life and original photographs
Art Criticism over finished work.
Daily Journaling
Short presentation of work
Self Assessment
Objective:
Students will create a self-portrait and incorporate the idea of "reflective identity" or how others perceive them. Students will research the theme of identity in artist work and how the artist subtle acknowledgments of identity are represented. The idea of "Reflective" is open to interpretation. See student art
Rolled Canvas Rolls
Drawing Media (Drawing Pencils
, Colored Pencils
, Oil Pastels
, or Charcoal)
Additional Media for interest
At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.
One completed ¾ to full body self-portrait. This work should represent you how others might perceive you in a creative and original way.
This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.
Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality of Reflective Identity, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, and Communication Factor.
Size: No larger than 4’X5’ (122 x 152 cm), no smaller than 24"X36" (61 x 91 cm)
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes
Additional pertinent information or drawings
Color Study
Self Portrait practice drawings
Art Criticism over finished work.
Daily Journaling
Short presentation of work
Self Assessment
Objective:
Students will create a finished product based on a memorable childhood game. Students will research the game and how its rules apply to the "Game of Life". Student products will represent their knowledge of drawing, color, and design, as well as, their ability to visually communicate their topic of choice. See student art
Rolled Canvas Rolls
Drawing Media (Drawing Pencils
, Colored Pencils
, Oil Pastels
, or Charcoal)
Game
Additional Media for interest
Your finished work should be influenced but not limited to your inspiration artist. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.
One completed painting/drawing/collage not to exceed in size any direction by 36 inches (91 cm). This work should be reflective of your original thumbnail sketch.
This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.
Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, and Communication Factor, and Life Connection.
Size: No larger than 36"X36" (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 12"X12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Process Diary including:
Artist Inspiration
Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes
Additional pertinent information or drawings
Color Study
Art Criticism over finished work.
Daily Journaling
Short presentation of work and research
Self Assessment
See additional images for this lesson.