Expressive Tree in a Landscape

This 2 part direct drawing and creative expression project is a great way to start the art year with older students. They always surprise themselves with the end result...and I must say I am pretty dazzled too! This project allows for high success, builds art skill confidence, connects to art history landscape compositions, addresses art vocabulary such a color theme, realistic, expressive, Fauvism, foreground, middle ground and background...and is just plain adventurous!

Direct drawing steps

After practicing on sketch paper students draw with white glue on black pre-cut construction paper. 

Allow the glue drawings to dry for at least 48 hours. Part II, compare and contrast realistic color choices with more expressive/non realistic choices. Model how to blend pastels and color in the direction of the shape to emphasize texture and or movement. Students then add color and detail with chalk and oil

pastels. Artists name signed with Sharpie in the corner. 

A portrait of a tree in a landscape

Demonstrate through a series of direct drawing and individual practice sketches a basic understanding of how to draw a tree in a landscape.

Once students feel comfortable with the elements and composition, they draw their final image with white glue on black paper. Chalk pastels are used to add the color and detail to complete the project.

Students can express realistic colors found in nature or a more Fauvist approach to color/pattern.

 

 

 



Supplies: pencils, sketch paper, black construction paper, white glue in tubes, chalk pastels. Art prints and class handout of famous landscapes provide additional support to the student success of this project.

Stylized Landscape

This 2 part, direct drawing project combines formal line and a graphic design sensibility with expressive color. Perfect connection to Fauvism and other 20th century Modernist Art movements.

Part I students are introduced to the parts of a landspace by looking at famous examples. Vocabulary to explore: foreground, background, middle ground, composition and balance. Through step by step direct drawing on sketch paper students create a landscape-one tree on a hill. After students are comfortable with the composition they are given black paper and a white glue bottle. Using the glue as the line, they recreate their landscape. Papers are set aside to dry.

Part II-Introducing color into the drawing. Student explore drawing and shading with chalk pastels. Discuss the use of expressive color and connect to Fauvism. Return glue drawings and review. Compare and contrast realistic and imaginary color choices. After the color is applied all works will be sprayed with a fixative as preservation measure.

March/April 2009

Seasons with a tree

using pastels students create a landscape featuring one tree representing a season