Creative Silhouettes

Curriculum Area & Level

Visual Arts | Level 4 (Years 7-8)

• Achievement Objectives:
  • Develop and refine ideas in response to a variety of motivations, including cultural contexts.
  • Explore and use visual elements, including colour, shape, and texture, to communicate meaning.
  • Apply knowledge of painting techniques to produce a finished artwork.

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Lesson Duration: 60 Minutes

Class Size: 25 Students
Medium: Acrylic Paint on A3 Paper

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Learning Intentions & Success Criteria

Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Research and select a strong silhouette image of an animal, tree, or object.
• Understand and apply acrylic painting techniques to create a blended background.
• Enlarge and carefully paint a silhouette onto their background to create contrast and emphasis.

Success Criteria

Students will:
✔ Find and print a suitable silhouette image for their painting.
✔ Successfully blend acrylic paints to create a smooth gradient background.
✔ Enlarge, trace, and paint a clearly defined silhouette onto their work.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Inspiration (5 minutes)

• Brief discussion: "What is a silhouette?"
• Show 3-4 examples of silhouette landscape paintings featuring NZ themes.
• Discuss how Māori and Pasifika artists use silhouettes in their artwork.
• Introduce the task: an acrylic painting featuring a strong silhouette against a blended landscape background.

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2. Research & Image Selection (10 minutes)

• Students use devices or pre-printed references to find an image of their chosen subject (animal, tree, or object).
• Each student selects an image with bold, recognisable edges for an effective silhouette.
• Teacher circulates to assist with selecting the best images based on clear outlines and strong composition.

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3. Background Painting (15 minutes)

• Step 1: Choose 2–3 acrylic colours for a gradient (e.g., sunset tones—red, orange, yellow).
• Step 2: Using large brushes, students apply short horizontal strokes, blending colours across their A3 sheets.
• Step 3: Teacher demonstrates smooth blending and avoiding harsh lines.
• Step 4: Backgrounds are set aside to dry (or placed in a drying rack).

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4. Enlarging & Tracing the Silhouette (10 minutes)

• Step 1: Students lightly sketch a grid over their printed image and a matching grid on their A3 paper (optional for better proportioning).
• Step 2: Enlarge the silhouette onto the dry background using a pencil.
• Step 3: Ensure the silhouette is placed dynamically within the space.

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5. Painting the Silhouette (15 minutes)

• Step 1: Using black acrylic paint, fill in the enlarged silhouette carefully.
• Step 2: Ensure clean, sharp edges using small round brushes.
• Step 3: Check for gaps in coverage and refine the shape.
• Step 4: Allow paintings to dry.

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6. Reflection & Clean-Up (5 minutes)

• Students participate in a quick "art walk" (silent viewing of peers' artworks in progress).
• Teacher guides a brief reflection discussion:
  • "What do you think worked well in your painting?"
  • "What would you do differently next time?"
  • "How did your background choice impact the final work?"
• Students clean brushes and palettes.

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Extension Activities

• Students can add a symbolic Māori pattern or koru design to their silhouette.
• Explore different painting techniques such as sponging or stippling for added texture.
• Research how silhouettes are used in traditional tapa or other Pacific artwork.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Self-Assessment: Students reflect on their process using a checklist.
• Peer Feedback: Each student shares their work with a partner and offers one positive comment and one improvement suggestion.
• Teacher Assessment: Mark based on criteria such as boldness of silhouette, quality of background blending, and overall composition.

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Teacher Notes & Adaptations

• For younger students: Pre-prepared silhouettes can be printed and traced onto the background.
• For advanced students: Encourage freehand drawing of the silhouette and incorporate shading variations within the black space.
• Have drying racks available to accommodate multiple paintings.

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Wow Factor!

This lesson fosters creativity using age-appropriate and engaging techniques while incorporating local New Zealand themes, including Māori and Pasifika influences. The combination of bold silhouettes and blended landscape colours creates striking artwork beyond a standard painting task.

A stunning Silhouette Art Gallery in the classroom at the end? That will leave students beaming and teachers impressed! 🎨🌅