Learning Objectives:
students will understand basic art vocabulary
students will demonstrate proper technique in a variety of media
students will exhibit a high level of craftsmanship


Students will create visual examples of the basic vocabulary of art, as well as learn how to perform basic skills and participate in classroom organization.  Students will strive towards a high level of craftsmanship.
 
Each day, the focus will be on one of the 12 elements or principles of design, with an example from art history to learn.  The first 4 days are outlined below, the other 8 will continue on in the same manner, with an artist of the teacher's choosing for each day. Students will execute an example of each element and principle of design on a 6 x 6 inch format, to be assembled at the end of the project into a box.

This project should take approximately 12 - 15 class days.

Color

artist Henri Matisse
Students will have a brief overview of the progression of the artwork of Henri Matisse as it progresses from realistic representational work until it matures into emphasis on color and shape.  Finally, we will focus on his cut paper works
from the end of his career, as seen in the book, "Jazz."  Students will execute a square, using scissors and paper cut-outs.
Works:

Woman Reading, 1894
oil on canvas                                                        Realistic, shaded, detailed
Musée National d'Arte Moderne
Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

Portrait of Madame Matisse (Green Stripe)
1905  oil on canvas                                                 A little more simplified, color
Statens Museum Fur Kunst, Copenhagen

Harmony in Red (The Red Room), 1908
oil on canvas                                                        Shapes and colors
The Hermitage at St. Petersburg

Music, 1910
oil on canvas                                                        Flat color and shapes - no shading
The Hermitage at St. Petersburg

The Knife Thrower
Le lanceur de couteaux                                              Paper cut outs - color and shape only
Plate XV from "Jazz"

Icarus (Icare)
1943-44                                                            Tell story of "Icarus" from mythology
From "Jazz"
 
Photo of Henri Matisse in front of his artwork

Photo of Henri Matisse working on paper cut outs
 

Contrast
artist:  MC Escher
Students will take a look at the works of M.C. Escher, in particular, the woodcuts and engravings using a high contrast format.  They will notice the balance of blacks and whites.  Students will use scratchboard to execute a design using high contrast of black and white,.  This will take more than one day, but can be overlapped with day 3 works.
 
Works:

Self-Portrait, detail, 1943
Lithographic Crayon

Eight Heads, 1922
Woodcut Stamped Print

Circle Limit IV (Heaven and Hell)
1960                                                                    Notice balance of Black & White
Woodcut Printed from Two Blocks

Liberation, 1955
lithograph

Use Art and Man Dec. 1991 for more hands on examples
 

Pattern
art form:  paste paper, bookbinding
 Students will watch a demonstration on paste paper creation, using wetted paper, pastel markers, and colored paste, with combs used to drag patterns.  A brief overview of the history of decorated papers used in bookbinding is explained, with the emphasis on creating an overall pattern.

Paste Recipe:

    3 cups water
    1/2 cup fine flour dissolved in 1/2 cup water
    2 tsp glycerine
    paint - tempera or acyrlic

Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in the microwave.  Pour the dissolved flour/water mixture into the boiling water, cook on high until well-thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring about every 2 minutes.  Paste will continue to thicken as it cools.  Add glycerine to promote plasticity, you can substitute clear dish soap.  Divide into containers and stir in paints.  Paint will mix in much better if you do this while it's hot.  Refrigerate - paste spoils rapidly and it smells awful when it does.  One class probably needs 2 batches, divided into 5 - 6 colors.

Value
art form:  painting with tempera
Students will execute a value study, using one color of tempera and white paint, used to create tints of the hue, gaining the understanding that one color, used in different tints, will advance and recede.  Students will look at the work of the artist Al Held to observe how one artist uses a variety of values in his artwork.

Works:
 
PACHINKO, 1989
Color woodcut

MAGENTA, 1990
Color aquatint with spit bite aquatint

EMBARCADERO, 1994
Color aquatint with spit bite aquatint

FLY AWAY, 1992
Color spit bite aquatint

Rome II 
Oil on canvas

Piero's Piazza
1982
Oil on canvas

The previous days are examples of how each element and principle of design can be experienced.  The artists and examples used are not required, but the essential lessons are.  For the remaining 8 elements and principles, students should be shown examples through art history - or through technique - showcasing each remaining prinicple or element.

The final part of the project is assembling a box from a pattern, and choosing the six best parts to put on each side of the box. Slim strips of paper (3/4" wide) are used to cover the seams of the box, and then each side needs to be properly labeled. Labeling can be used as a test function, to see if students can identify the element or principle that is illustrated.

Craftsmanship is a large part of the grade on this project, and should be stressed all throughout the project.