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This art element is your starting point. It is the first mark on your page, is usually circular in shape, it is the start of a line and can be used in multitudes or in combinations to add texture or interest to your drawing. Some artists use dots to create an entire artwork and some use dots together with some or all of the other art elements.
This art element is your starting point. It is the first mark on your page, is usually circular in shape, it is the start of a line and can be used in multitudes or in combinations to add texture or interest to your drawing. Some artists use dots to create an entire artwork and some use dots together with some or all of the other art elements.
Learning Intentions
Learning Intentions
In this lesson, you will:
In this lesson, you will:
• explore the element dot, through a variety of mark making techniques using a range of media
• explore the element dot, through a variety of mark making techniques using a range of media
• look at the way various historical and contemporary artists used dots to create artwork
• look at the way various historical and contemporary artists used dots to create artwork
• research Aboriginal Dot art and learn to present your findings on a google doc
• research Aboriginal Dot art and learn to present your findings on a google doc
• Design and make a dot inspired circular flexagon mini book
• Design and make a dot inspired circular flexagon mini book
• Reflect on the process
• Reflect on the process
'Everything begins from a Dot' Wassily Kandinsky
'Everything begins from a Dot' Wassily Kandinsky
Examine and discuss these examples of the dot being used in different ways by different artists in different eras from the Bronze Age to the present day.
What do you see in these works?
How do they make you feel?
Do you like them? Why or why not?
Choose one of the pop art examples, one of Yayoi Kusama's works and one of the Bronze Age artefacts to draw in your sketchbooks. Remember to write the name of the artefact, the artist's name and/or date the work was created
aboriginal dot art
aboriginal dot art
Research Aboriginal Dot Art and put your findings in a google doc. (click the link to google classroom). Your document should include information about aboriginal dot art and some examples that you find interesting and/or inspiring. You must reference the web pages on which you find information, e.g:
This website, https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/articles/aboriginal-dot-painting/ has information about the origins of Aboriginal Dot Painting. If you quote any of the text or use any of images then you must acknowledge this by including the web address with your research. You must also name the artist, the piece of work and give some information such as what media is used, the year it was produced and where it is located (e.g. name of gallery).
Dreamtime
Dreamtime
Your Aboriginal Dot Art research project should include some information about 'Dreamtime', eg What does 'Dreamtime' mean in Aboriginal Culture? Also draw 6 Symbols used in Dreamtime and state what each symbol means.
dot compositions
dot compositions
Divide a page in your sketchbooks in 4. Use a ruler and a pencil to make sure the 4 sections are neat and fairly even
Create 4 different compositions with, for example, dots changing-size, colour, placement etc.
Student examples can be viewed in the carousel to the right.
(Composition refers to layout, it is the arrangement and positioning of the art elements)
Dot inspired flexagon mini book
Dot inspired flexagon mini book
A flexagon is a flat model, constructed by folding paper so that it can be manipulated or flexed in certain ways to reveal hidden faces. The mathematics behind flexagons involves geometry, but it is the dynamic manipulation that has made the structure popular with handmade book artists. Flexagons are usually square, rectangular or hexagonal, but you will be making a circular flexagon structure. To ensure your mini book flexes properly you will need to take care with measurements when cutting and folding your paper.
The first stage of this process involves preparing your paper-cutting circles and decorating with a dot themed design. The second stage is the actual construction of your flexagon mini book and this part can be a little tricky so you must follow the instructions regarding measurements and placement.
Equipment and Materials Required
Equipment and Materials Required
1. Heavy paper or light card. Watercolour paper works great with the paints and colouring pencils in your artpack and should be thick enough for the project we will be working on. If you only have thin paper at home, look for food packaging eg cereal boxes
2. A compass (you have one in your mathematical sets)
3. A ruler (the small one in your mathematical set is fine)
4. Scissors or craft knife
5. Paints, colouring pencils, paintbrush, pencil (all in your art packs)
6. Small jar for water
7. Glue (not a glue gun or pritt stick). PVA or a clear, strong, multipurpose glue like UHU, bostick or Evo stick
4. Sticky tape
Paper Prep
You will need watercolour paper or light card and using what you have learned about dot compositions and your choice of media, you must decorate with a dot inspired theme. From your paper/card, you will cut two circles. You may decorate your paper before or after you cut the circles. (You could cut 2 extras for practising folding techniques).
Using the compass and ruler, carefully set circle radius between 5 and 6cm. Remember the diameter of a circle is twice the length of the radius.
Draw 2 circles, the same size, be careful not to change the compass setting until after you’ve drawn the second circle.
If you wish to have concentric circles in your design, draw them now, using the centre point of the circle. If you don’t want concentric circles, skip this step and move on to 4.
Use scissors or a craft knife to carefully cut out the circles. When using a craft knife, always cut away from you. Never hold scissors or knives by the blade
If you decided to decorate after cutting the circles, do so now using your choice of media, eg colouring pencils/paint/markers to create dot inspired patterns.
Photograph your circles and submit to google classroom for review.
Circular Flexagon Structure.movFlexagon Construction
Flexagon Construction
Once your circles have been approved, follow the instructions on this video to construct your flexgaon book. Video your flexagon in action and submit to the link below.
student work
student work
Flexagon Mini Books.movsuccess criteria
success criteria
Students should be able to:
Create a piece of artwork using different mark-making techniques with at least three different types of media
Identify and describe how historical and contemporary artists have used dots in their artwork, providing examples
Research and summarise key aspects of Aboriginal Dot art, presenting your findings clearly on a Google Doc
Design and construct a circular flexagon mini book that incorporates the use of dots as a primary design element
Reflect on your creative process, identifying challenges and successes, and explain how the use of dots enhanced your artwork and mini book
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