Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
Surf it up!
Use measurement and scale to create artworks
Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 3 and 4 visual arts
What will I learn?
You will:
investigate people and places involved in big wave surfing
create artworks reflecting the sport of big wave surfing
design a trophy to reflect the achievement of winning a world championship in surfing
move to the sound of classic surf music.
Lost Thongs by Coco Worobiej
Cambridge Gardens Public SchoolOperation Art 2020
Before you begin
You will need:
an outdoor measuring device such as a long measuring tape or trundle wheel for measuring length, and 4 markers
a tape measure or metre ruler for measuring height
paper, lead pencils and items for colouring such as pencils, textas, crayons or paint
a ruler that shows centimetres and metres.
The Australian Landscape by Aiden Lee
Neutral Bay Public SchoolOperation Art 2020
Investigate
Maya Gabeira is a Brazilian big wave surfer.
In February 2020 she surfed a 22.4 metre high wave in Nazre, Portugal. This was recorded by Guinness World Records as the biggest wave ever surfed by a female surfer!
Watch the video Maya Gabeira breaks Guinness World Record to see her riding the record breaking wave!
Research the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a male surfer.
Maya Gabeira breaks Guinness World Record
Duration: 01:08Where in the world is Nazaré, Portugal?
Look at the map to see how far away from Australia, Nazaré is located.
By selecting the map or this link you can look at Nazaré in Google Maps.
Measure
How amazing was that!
To get a sense of how high the wave was that Maya rode, go into the playground and measure 22.4 metres (or 2240 centimetres) using a tape measure or trundle wheel.
Place a marker at the beginning and a marker at the end to show the distance.
To get a sense of Maya's height in comparison to the height of the wave, start at one marker and measure 168 centimetres (Maya's height) along the length of the wave measurement. Now put a marker at the 168cm point.
Incredible! Imagine how Maya would have felt in comparison to that huge wave!
How do you think you would have felt? Think of 5 words to describe what it would be like surfing a big wave?
Draw
Draw a scale drawing of Maya's wave
Follow these instructions to create your scale drawing of Maya's wave:
Draw a wave that is 22.4 centimetres high.
It is a good idea to start by making 2 small pencil marks
22.4 centimetres (or 224 millimetres) vertically apart on a sheet of A4 paper that is in portrait orientation.Then draw a wave the height of the pencil markings.
Now you need to add yourself in the scale of the drawing.
The drawing has the scale
1 metre = 1 centimetre.
You will need to measure your height in centimetres.
If you are 140 centrimetres (1.4 metres) tall then you need to draw yourself 1.4 centimetres (14 millimetres) high, standing on a surfboard.
It will be a very small drawing, so use a sharp pencil.
Place yourself surfing down the face of the wave, just like Maya.
Colour your drawing using different tones of blues and greens using your choice of pencils, crayons or paint.
Create
Watch the video How to draw waves real easy to explore tips and tricks to draw waves. Follow the instructions to perfect your wave design.
How to draw waves real easy
Duration: 05:51Now it is your turn to create your own big wave artwork.
You might like to use water colour paints or acrylic paints to add colour.
Look at these fantastic artworks from students from Operation Art 2020. See how they use different tones and textures to create their waves.
Twilight Dreams by Natalie Miletic
Dural Public SchoolOperation Art 2020
Tsunami by Tristal Hoare
Rouse Hill Public SchoolOperation Art 2020
Ocean Life by Fatima Shehzad
Yennora Public SchoolOperation Art 2020
Design
You have been chosen!
Design Maya's trophy for her record breaking wave.
The trophy must include a wave in it's design.
Sketch your design first using pencil, then collage with coloured paper or patterned paper.
Extension
For further art making activities, you might like to complete our Creative Class - Making waves with Hokusai.
Sunsets Over the Beach
by Will Markwort
Energiser
Are you ready to 'hang ten' and hit the surf?
It's time for you to be a surfer!
Watch the following 2 videos to see different types of surfers in action.
Be sure to take notice of their movements and actions!
2020 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps | Trigg Beach Highlights
Duration: 01:56Dancing on Water; the art of longboard surfing
Duration: 01:42Now it is your turn to surf!
Imagine you are at the beach and heading into the surf to ride the waves.
Remember surfing involves paddling, standing and balancing on a moving surfboard.
Get ready to hang ten!
Watch the video and listen to the surf music classic, Wipeout by the Ventures.
Can you notice the changes in the music? This is a cue to change your movements.
Think about when the music sounds like:
paddling
standing and surfing the waves
wobbly balance
changing direction on the wave
oh no! A wipeout!
The Ventures - Wipe Out
Duration: 03:42
Congratulations!
You have completed this Digital@ The Arts Unit Creative Class.
Hang loose dudes!
Third-party content attributions
Lost Thongs, © Aiden Lee, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
The Australian Landscape, © Coco Worobiej, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Twilight Dreams, © Natalie Miletic, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Tsunami, © Tristal Hoare, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Ocean Life, © Fatima Shehzad, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Sunset Over the Beach, © Will Markwort, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.