Embedded Files
Description
Description
Students will explore watercolor techniques, radial symmetry, and color
while designing their own mandala painting. Students will reflect on the
cultural uses and traditions of mandalas and, upon completion, participate in a reflective critique.
Lesson Objectives
Lesson Objectives
- Students will identify and analyze the use of mandalas in different cultures and practices.
- Students will explore and use a variety of watercolor and line design techniques
- Students will organize their design by using radial symmetry to form their composition.
- Students will evaluate their work and create an Artist Statement that shares their process.
Visual Arts Standards
Visual Arts Standards
VA:Cr2:1 Making art promotes experimentation and develops problem solving skills.
VA: Re9.1 Art is all around us. By learning about art you can also learn about other people, groups, and cultures.
VA: Cn11.1 By researching interpreting works of art you can develop and understanding of a particular period of time, culture, or the artist's personal experiences and opinions.
Supplies and Materials:
Supplies and Materials:
watercolor paints
paint brushes
crayons or colored pencils
cup of water
watercolor or all-media paper cut into a 9" square
ruler and a compass
pencil with an eraser
permanent marker
Watercolor Mandala.pdf🌸Criterion A: Knowing & Understanding
🌸Criterion A: Knowing & Understanding
Students discover the aesthetics of art forms and are able to analyse and communicate using specialized language. Students inform their work and artistic perspective using explicit and tacit knowledge alongside an understanding of the role of the arts in a global context.
Objective 1: Students will identify and analyze the use of mandalas in different cultures and practices.
Objective 1: Students will identify and analyze the use of mandalas in different cultures and practices.
Watch these videos to explore the "what" and "why" and "who" of the 🌸Mandala.
Watch these videos to explore the "what" and "why" and "who" of the 🌸Mandala.
Nature Walk Mandala
Nature Walk Mandala
Get outside!! Take a box or a bag with you. Collect simple items that catch your eye. Make sure that you have at least 4 of each one. Pebbles, twigs, flowers, and leaves- keep your eyes peeled for treasures. Arrange as a Radial Symmetry design. Take a photo. This is a Google Classroom assignment.
The History and Culture of the Mandala.
The History and Culture of the Mandala.
What is a Mandala?
What is a Mandala?
A mandala is a complex abstract design that is usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, shapes and forms.
Mandalas can contain both geometric and organic forms. They can also contain recognizable images that carry meaning for the person who is creating it.
In essence, mandalas represent the connection between our inner worlds and outer reality. Designing your own mandalas can be both inspirational and therapeutic.
Tibetan Monks Make Sand Mandalas. These videos are unbelievably cool.
Tibetan Monks Make Sand Mandalas. These videos are unbelievably cool.
🌸Criterion B: Developing Skills
🌸Criterion B: Developing Skills
Students develop their artistic ideas to a point of realization by applying their skill and techniques. Students make final commitments to their artwork by presenting it to audiences.
Objective 2: Students will explore and use a variety of watercolor and line design techniques
Objective 2: Students will explore and use a variety of watercolor and line design techniques
Developing Watercolor Techniques Assignment:
Developing Watercolor Techniques Assignment:
Select 1 page of your Art Project book. Either gently remove it from you book , or place several paper towels behind your page to protect the rest of your book. Set up your page like the image on the left. Make labels and text with pencil or pen. (Do not use water-soluble marker!!!)
When you are ready, you may begin to paint with your watercolors. Try all of the watercolor techniques. When you are finished take a photo and upload it to your Google Classroom assignment.
This is a Google Classroom Assignment.
Developing Line Techniques Assignment
Developing Line Techniques Assignment
Line Techniques: Hatching, Cross Hatching and Stippling
Mandala Line Patterns: Try 3 of your choice.
Select 1 page of your Art Project book. Either gently remove it from you book , or place several blotter papers behind your page to protect the rest of your book. Set up your page like the image on the right. Make labels and text with pencil or pen. When you are ready, you may begin to draw with your Sharpie or pen. Try all 6 of the line techniques. When you are finished take a photo and upload it to your Google Classroom assignment.
This is a Google Classroom Assignment.
🌸Criterion C: Thinking Creatively
🌸Criterion C: Thinking Creatively
Students develop curiosity, and purposefully explore and challenge boundaries. Students explore the unfamiliar and experiment in innovative ways to develop their artistic intentions, their processes and their work. They discover their personal signature and realize their artistic identity.
Objective 3: Students will organize their design to create a radial symmetric composition.
Objective 3: Students will organize their design to create a radial symmetric composition.
Please, Please, Please watch this entire video before you start your final project!!
Please, Please, Please watch this entire video before you start your final project!!
It shows a 6th grade class documenting their 🌸 Mandal Project.
It shows a 6th grade class documenting their 🌸 Mandal Project.
The students teach and narrate the entire video.
The students teach and narrate the entire video.
The video was made by my friend Bethany Thiele, and her 6th grade art classes in Virginia.
If you liked the video give them a "thumbs-up!" I think that they did a great job!
Make sure that you are working on a 9" by 9" All-Media Paper!!
Make sure that you are working on a 9" by 9" All-Media Paper!!
You will have to cut gently remove a page of paper from your Art Project Book.
Using a ruler and scissors, cut off 2 inches off of a paper from one edge.
When you create your own mandala, think of it as an echo of your soul. Drawing and coloring a mandala can be a highly enriching personal experience in which you look inside yourself and find the shapes, colors and patterns to represent anything from your current state of mind to your most deeply-desired wish for yourself, for a loved one, or for humanity.
When you create your own mandala, think of it as an echo of your soul. Drawing and coloring a mandala can be a highly enriching personal experience in which you look inside yourself and find the shapes, colors and patterns to represent anything from your current state of mind to your most deeply-desired wish for yourself, for a loved one, or for humanity.
Step 1. Draw 🌸Mandala
Step 1. Draw 🌸Mandala
Measure and mark the basic radial symmetric framework using pencil and ruler.
Step 2. Design 🌸 Mandala
Step 2. Design 🌸 Mandala
Draw the radial symmetric mandala design using pencil and eraser. It is easiest to start from the middle and to radiate out, spinning the square as you go.
There is a more advanced version of this project at the end of this section. If you want a challenge, keep scrolling.
Step 4. Sharpie your 🌸 Mandala
Step 4. Sharpie your 🌸 Mandala
Design your Mandala with at least 2 Line Techniques, and 2 Line Mandala Line Patterns. Use Sharpie or any permanent black lined marker.
Design your Mandala with at least 2 Line Techniques, and 2 Line Mandala Line Patterns. Use Sharpie or any permanent black lined marker.
Step 5. Paint 🌸 Mandala
Step 5. Paint 🌸 Mandala
Paint the mandala using at least 2 Watercolor Techniques. Make color choices that are radially symmetrical
Paint the mandala using at least 2 Watercolor Techniques. Make color choices that are radially symmetrical
Take advantage of quick drying time. ( or use a hair dryer) Intensify the color and design by adding new layers, colors and techniques. Did you know that you can layer crayon, marker, and colored pencils on top of dry watercolors?
This is a more advanced version of the Mandala Project. All 4 videos work together and this teacher is FANTASTIC at explaining the ins and outs of the project.
This is a more advanced version of the Mandala Project. All 4 videos work together and this teacher is FANTASTIC at explaining the ins and outs of the project.
🌸Criterion D: Responding
🌸Criterion D: Responding
Students respond to their world, to their own art and to the art of others. Students must make connections and transfer learning to new settings. Through reflecting on their artistic intention and the impact of their work on an audience and on themselves, students become more aware of their own artistic development and the role that arts play in their lives and in the world. Students learn that the arts may initiate as well as respond to change.
Objective 4: Students will evaluate their work and create an Artist Statement that shares their process.
Objective 4: Students will evaluate their work and create an Artist Statement that shares their process.
Please take the Mandala Self Evaluation in this Google Form.
Please take the Mandala Self Evaluation in this Google Form.
Please complete the Flipgrid Artist Statement assignment in Google Classroom.
Please complete the Flipgrid Artist Statement assignment in Google Classroom.
Record your Artist Statement on Flipgrid.
Record your Artist Statement on Flipgrid.
You must first go to the invitation link in your Google Classroom.
You must first go to the invitation link in your Google Classroom.
Use the attached Artist Statement flow chart to help guide your video. You will be talking about your experience with the 🌸Mandala project. This video is a BIG DEAL because I was not in your house to see how you worked and what you learned. Make sure that your voice is clear and you are loud enough for us to hear. I want to see your face and your 🌸Mandala. You are welcome to use the Flipgrid effects to make the video more entertaining for us.
ArtistStatementFlowChart.pdf
Resources and Extras
Resources and Extras
Are you up for a challenge? Any of these video techniques can be used for your Unit Project.
Are you up for a challenge? Any of these video techniques can be used for your Unit Project.
Tibetan Sand Mandalas Watch this to see the origin of the mandala. It is really interesting!! Can you imagine making these with sand? Don't sneeze!
Nature Walk Mandala
Here is a spin on the project. This person sectioned off her design into warm/cool background and then drew the mandala on top. You can give this a try! If you struggle with making shapes for your mandala design, this video is for YOU!!
Origami Lovers- This one is for you!!
I Love making Dots!! You can always use the back end of a paintbrush for this.
This talks about symmetry in the animal world. Artists have to know so much science and math!!
Page updated
Report abuse