Artistic Exploration

Lesson Plan 1: Discovering Space

Curriculum Area

The Arts: Visual Arts — Years 7-8 (aligned with age group 10-14)

Learning Objectives

• Understand the concept of space in art.
• Explore positive and negative spaces.
• Create an artwork using space effectively.

Materials Needed

• White A3 paper
• Black markers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Coloured construction paper

Instructional Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion on "space" in art.
• Introduce positive space (the areas containing the subject) and negative space (the background).
• Show examples of famous artworks emphasising space, such as M. C. Escher's work.

Activity 1: Space Exploration Collage (25 minutes)

1. Drawing Exercise (10 minutes)

   • Ask students to choose an everyday object (like a chair, leaf, or hand).
   • Draw the object on the white A3 paper using a black marker while focusing on positive space.

2. Negative Space Cut-Out (10 minutes)

   • Cut around the drawing, excluding the positive space (the object) to create a stencil.
   • Place the stencil on coloured construction paper.

3. Collage Creation (5 minutes)

   • Guide students to use glue sticks to mount the cut-out over a contrasting colour.
   • Encourage students to experiment with design placement to enhance the visual impact using space.

Conclusion/Reflection (10 minutes)

• Have students share their pieces and discuss how space alters perception within their art.
• Review how positive and negative space can affect the balance and focus in artwork.

Lesson Plan 2: Line Dynamics

Curriculum Area

The Arts: Visual Arts — Years 7-8 (aligned with age group 10-14)

Learning Objectives

• Recognise different types of lines and their expressive qualities.
• Develop skills in using lines to convey motion and emotion in art.

Materials Needed

• Sketchbooks
• Charcoal sticks
• Rulers
• Erasers

Instructional Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Discuss the importance of lines as a fundamental element in visual arts.
• Examine different types of lines: straight, curved, zigzag, spiral.
• Show famous works that use line dynamically, such as those by Vincent van Gogh.

Activity 2: Expressive Lines (25 minutes)

1. Exploration Phase (10 minutes)

   • Provide students with sketchbooks and charcoal sticks.
   • Allow them to experiment with creating varied lines on a single page.
   • Encourage using hands-on techniques, such as smudging with an eraser, to alter line quality.

2. Line Motion Drawing (15 minutes)

   • Challenge students to draw an abstract representation of movement (a dancer moving, a car in motion, etc.) using only lines.
   • Suggest using a combination of line types to express different speeds and emotions.

Conclusion/Reflection (10 minutes)

• Host a gallery walk allowing for peer feedback.
• Discuss how different lines and combinations can communicate diverse feelings and ideas.

Lesson Plan 3: Exploring Tone & Colour

Curriculum Area

The Arts: Visual Arts — Years 7-8 (aligned with age group 10-14)

Learning Objectives

• Identify the role of tone and colour in creating depth and mood.
• Experiment with value scales and colour mixing.

Materials Needed

• Paint sets (primary colours plus black and white)
• Paintbrushes
• Palette knives
• Thick white paper
• Rulers

Instructional Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Define "tone" as the lightness or darkness of a colour.
• Explain how various tones can create the illusion of depth.
• Display works of Claude Monet for tone and colour inspiration.

Activity 3: Tone & Colour Value Scales (25 minutes)

1. Create a Value Scale (10 minutes)

   • Using a palette knife, mix shades of grey, from white to black, in small increments.
   • Paint a strip with the gradation to create a value scale.

2. Colour Tone Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Mix primary colours with black and white to create various tones.
   • Paint a small still life focusing on using differing tones for depth (e.g., a fruit or cup).

Conclusion/Reflection (10 minutes)

• Engage students in a discussion about how their tonal variations affected their artwork.
• Emphasise the emotional impact that tone can have on art’s interpretation and presentation.

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These lesson plans are designed to align with the Australian Curriculum and engage students in exploring foundational art elements creatively. Each plan encourages self-expression while developing key artistic skills.