Medieval Bestiary Crayon Etching

Lesson by: Judy Decker
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Unit: Medieval Art (Middle Ages)
Project: Crayon Etching- Medieval Bestiary

 

Objectives:

1. Art appreciation, art history - Medieval architecture

2. Understanding beliefs of people of the middle ages

3. Make connections between art and literature

4. Develop creativity in designing own imaginary beastie

5. Develop skills in drawing, color planning, textures and patterns

6. Integrate technology-- introduction to PhotoDeluxe software

7. Develop creative writing skills

Materials:

9x12 (22.9 x 30.5 cm) Tag board
Drawing Pencils, Magic Rub Erasers
bestiary handouts
jungle animal handouts, animal books, animal photographs
assorted Crayons (regular plus new varieties - Glitter Crayons - Gems - Pearls - Silver Swirls)
Ultra-Fine Point Markers
India ink (drop of dishwashing liquid), newspapers, Brushes
Scratchboard Tool Kit
Computer - Printer for frames 13"x19" (33 x 48.25 cm) tagboard for frames

 

         

Resources:

Video: Gargoyles: Guardians of the Gate

Dover Publications - book with all sorts of line drawings of animals and beasts.

Books on Medieval Art

Motivation:

1. Present characteristics of Medieval architecture (Video: Gargoyles: Guardians of the Gate )

2. Present gargoyles, medieval bestiary--reasons for bestiary as a teaching tool (majority of people could not read, but understood the symbolism).

3. Images of Gothic architecture and Medieval Beasts (myths) from the Internet and National Geographic -- and other sources (ArtSpace kit on Cathedrals)

4. Examples of gargoyles (art prints and purchased "gargoyles")

5. Demonstrations of drawing techniques--combining animal forms and textures

6. Demonstrations of scratchboard techniques. Students are shown examples of wood engravings and other engraving prints to get the idea of directional lines

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Procedures:

1. Review Medieval architectural elements (assign extra credit to find examples of Neo-Gothic architecture. Show and discuss Grant Wood's "American Gothic" )

2. Discuss Medieval Bestiary--stories and symbolism

3. Draw an imaginary animal by combining parts of three or more animals

4. Add textures and patterns (minimum of three textures and/or patterns)

5. Color with crayons--plan colors--press heavy to build up waxy surface--Experiment with a variety of crayons (glitter, gem, silver swirls, regular and fluorescent) - Color entire surface

6. Brush black india ink over drawing (place on newspaper to do this). Note: a drop of dishwashing liquid helps the ink stick to the crayons. I thinned the ink slightly with water so the crayons showed a little under the ink (wasn't a pure black).

7. Scratch off crayon when ink is dry--change directions (shape animal with directional strokes) - create patterns with scratch technique.

8. Write story about your beastie (use handout as a guide) See student example

9. Select manuscript border frame for your drawing--adjust colors using PhotoDeluxe software). Size image to fit etching - opening about 8 1/2" x 11 1/2". Print on 13 x 19 tag board 

10. Students used Microsoft Word to insert story text box into a Medieval border design. Six different border frames were available from which to choose. Students used PhotoDeluxe to change the colors to their liking.

Note to teachers: Frames were made by scanning in border designs into the computer from a Dover publication or ornamentation.

Evaluation:

Student self-evaluation.

Student critique

Grade form:                                           Name_________________________

        HIGH                                          LOW 

DESIGN/Originality                 10        9        8        7        6        5

Patterns/textures                    10        9        8        7        6        5

Color plan                                10         9        8        7        6        5

Scratch technique                    10         9        8        7        6        5

 

Middle Ages Writing Assignment

Name_____________________________________

 

Section__________________

 

The purpose of this assignment is to improve your skills in writing about art and using art vocabulary.  You will also show your knowledge of medieval culture and architecture as well as knowledge gained from science lessons on adaptation. WRITE IN PARAGRAPH FORM. USE THIS PAPER ONLY FOR NOTES.

 

1. Describe your animal completely.  Be sure to give him or her a name (check out some of the names given animals in the Middle Ages).  Be sure to include colors, patterns, textures and shapes…. and any resemblance to any other existing animals.

 

2. Tell about the special powers your animal might have. What meaning or moral does he hold for the people (of today or from long ago)?  Is he magical?  Powerful?  Large or small?  Be sure to be creative in your writing.

 

3. Where does your animal live? Is he nocturnal? What does he eat? How does he protect himself against predators?  Describe his surroundings completely.  Does he live in a castle? A cave?  A Gothic cathedral?  What does the building look like? (give some characteristics).

 

Middle Ages: Writing Assignment for Bestiary

Follow the steps to set-up your computer. These guidelines are necessary in order for your story to fit in the ornate border frames.

 

1. Go to "File"- Go to "Page set-up"

Set Margins at: 1 and ½ inches for top and bottom. Set both sides at 1 and ¼ inches.

 

2. Go to "Font" (in formatting bar) and choose a font that is easy to read. We can change the font when you are finished very easily by highlighting the entire document and changing it to whatever one you wish. Do not spend a lot of time selecting fonts at this time. Set font size at 14 point for now (we can easily change that also). Keep your story at single space.

 

I will have to take your disks home if you want them to be in Old English Text. Notice that this text is very difficult to read. (this is in Old English on home computer)

 

3. Type your title - center it (You will probably want your title in bold face. Highlight it and Click the "B" above). You may do this either in Format from the menu or from the menu bar. Return formatting to left face when finished with title.

 

4. Key in your story (you may want this to be regular, not bold - click off the "B"). Continue even if it goes on to two pages.  We will add a page number to the bottom of the second page.  We will enlarge the type so the story is well balanced between the two pages.

 

5. Select one of the frame styles (1,3,5, or 6).  These are now the proper size for 8-1/2 by 11 inch paper.  Click on the new document at upper left corner (small white sheet of paper).

 

6. Go to Insert- Click on Picture - from file.  You want to select the file from the "A" drive. Click on the small arrow next to the window where is says, "Look in: "Highlight and click the frame (they are J PEG files) you want to insert.

 

7. Click on text box in the "Auto Shapes" bar- or go to Insert- Text Box.  You will insert a text box in the center of your frame. Drag box from top left corner to bottom right corner to fit the inside opening of frame.  If you make a mistake, click on the blue "undo" arrow (right under the "Tools" on menu).  We will format the text box with No Fill and No lines (from format on menu).

 

8. Click the "minus" to minimize your frame while you copy your story.  Highlight all of the text.  Go up to "Edit". Click mouse on "Copy". Go back to your frame.  Go to "Edit" and "Paste" into your text box. Now resize your story so it fits nicely in the box. You can make the box narrower to center the story better in the frame if your story is short.

The Serpantahorse

My medieval bestiary is a serpantahorse, because of the strong resemblance it has with the serpent and the horse.

 

 

The serpantahorse is a large creature. It lives in a forest, with lots of hills and bodies of water for it needs to drink at least 51 gallons of water a day to survive. The serpanta-horse is a peaceful creature. It has no enemies or predators. Its bright colors scare away any animals that would threaten it in any way.

 

The serpantahorse is a herbivore, which means it eats only plants. A serpantahorse will travel with a herd until it is about 80 years old. It will then leave the herd and wander alone. The average life span of a serpantahorse is about 180 years. In the last 2 years of its life, the serpantahorse will begin to die slowly, but without pain.

 

Serpantahorses are considered to be leaders of the forest, so when one dies, a moment of silence washes over the land.

 

Serpantahorses have wings so they can fly to new places when food becomes scarce. Their serpent tail helps them slither up trees to the branches. This is where it sleeps for about 5 hours.

 

The serpantahorse is a truly unique creature and will continue to live on in our imaginations for as long as our mind creates.

Medieval Bestiary Evaluation

Medieval Bestiary: Crayon Etching Student Evaluation

Name_______________________________________

Section_________________

 

1. Briefly describe the purpose of gargoyles on Gothic architecture. Why were they so grotesques?



2. What was a Medieval Bestiary? What purpose did these serve for the people of the Middle Ages?



3. What is the color plan of your crayon etching? Does it have unity?



4. How does your drawing relate to the art of the Middle Ages?



5. What are the strengths of your drawing (what did you do well)? Is there anything you feel you could have done better?


Evaluate your work (Circle points- you may add a + or - if desired)

Preparation and sketches	10	9	8	7	6	(other)
Overall composition	10	9	8	7	6
Assignment Goals:	10	9	8	7	6
Art history	10	9	8	7	6
Environment/space	10	9	8	7	6
Color planning	10	9	8	7	6
Creativity	10	9	8	7	6
Patterns/ textures	10	9	8	7	6
Story (effort)	10	9	8	7	6
Craftsmanship	10	9	8	7	6
Aesthetics (with frame)	10	9	8	7	6