UNIT 2 - My Life in Color
Aesthetic choices allow artists to communicate intentions
Embedded Files
Still life painting by Isabella Todini
Can artwork create mood or feeling for the viewer?
Can artwork create mood or feeling for the viewer?
Unit Description:
An investigation of still life and colour. Students create a personal still life composition exploring symbolism through object selection, composition and colour scheme. Students also investigate the Fauvism Art movement and contemporary artists' use of aesthetics in artwork to create mood and feeling.
Statement of Inquiry:
Aesthetic choices allow artists to communicate intentions
Header artwork: Plants by Anna Valdez, 2014
Staying Organized
Staying Organized
In this lesson, you will develop strategies for staying organised.
In this lesson, you will develop strategies for staying organised.
Task P1: Process Journal
Task P1: Process Journal
For assessment in visual art, you will need to submit a process journal that captures your creative process in an ongoing manner. You will still use your visual art journal (sketchbook) but your final assessment will be submitted in digital format.
Look through the process journal template and be aware of what the submission requirements are. You are free to make changes
What are Aesthetics?
What are Aesthetics?
The term 'aesthetics' is derived from the Greek word ‘aesthesis’ meaning perception.
Tate. “Aesthetics – Art Term.” Tate, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/aesthetics.
In this lesson, we will look at the overview of the unit and discuss the question, What are Aesthetics?
In this lesson, we will look at the overview of the unit and discuss the question, What are Aesthetics?
Factual:
What are aesthetics?
What aesthetic choices characterized particular art movements or art styles
How can an artist manipulate visual elements to create artwork that communicates a mood or feeling?
Conceptual:
How can aesthetic choices communicate artistic intentions? (key concepts)
How does communicating artist intention impact the viewers' interpretation of the work
Debatable:
To what extent are aesthetic choices more important than subject matter?
Task P1: Think Pair Share
Task P1: Think Pair Share
What are aesthetics?
Start by looking up the definition
Discuss what you found out - find examples of different aesthetics
Share with your group
Take notes in your process journal
Task P2: In Groups
Task P2: In Groups
In groups discuss 'What aesthetic choices characterized particular fashion styles?'
Find 4 examples. Discuss the aesthetic choices the wearing might have made to create a particular look?
Aesthetic fashion examples by Greta Mawe
Aesthetic architecture examples by Hami Taggart
What is Fauvism?
What is Fauvism?
Fauvism slide by Khanh Linh Nguyen
In this lesson, you will find out about the art movement Fauvism and what aesthetic choices characterized fauvist artwork.
In this lesson, you will find out about the art movement Fauvism and what aesthetic choices characterized fauvist artwork.
Task P1: In groups
Task P1: In groups
Select one article to read share your notes with your group
Task P2: In your process journal
Task P2: In your process journal
Answer the questions below in your process journal
What is Fauvism?
What aesthetic choices characterized Fauvism
How did the Fauvist manipulate visual elements to create an artwork that communicates a mood or feeling?
How did the Fauvists reinvent the way artists at the time use colour?
List five art terms used to describe a Fauvist artwork
A Deeper Dive - The Goldfish
A Deeper Dive - The Goldfish
In this lesson, you will look closely at the artwork the Goldfish by Henri Matisse.
In this lesson, you will look closely at the artwork the Goldfish by Henri Matisse.
In your process journal answer the following questions:
Who is Henri Matisse?
Write down five art terms used to describe the work Goldfish and use them when answering the question below.
What are the main visual features of goldfish? ( the Aesthetic choices)
What was happening at the time that influence the work? ( Context)
What themes are communicated in this work and how are they communicated?
How has the artist used Aesthetic choices to communicate intentions?
Resources:
Finding Inspiration -Anna Valdez
Finding Inspiration -Anna Valdez
Anna Valdez, Sketch on Log, oil and acrylic on canvas, 2021, 121.92 x 91.44cm
In this lesson, you will look at the work of contemporary still life artist Anna Valdez. You will identify her key Aesthetic choices and create an artwork in response to your investigation.
In this lesson, you will look at the work of contemporary still life artist Anna Valdez. You will identify her key Aesthetic choices and create an artwork in response to your investigation.
Task P1: Whole Class activity
Task P1: Whole Class activity
Watch this video and discuss key points.
Task P2: In groups
Task P2: In groups
Select a still life painting created by the artist Anna Valdez
Discuss and take notes - Do the aesthetic choices by the artist help to communicate mood or feeling. For example, composition, colour pallet, pattern create a feeling of relaxation?
Discuss and take notes -How does the subject matter contribute to the creation of mood or feeling? (To what extent are aesthetic choices more important than subject matter?)
Task P3: In your process Journal
Task P3: In your process Journal
Paste the image of the artwork in your process journal
Who is Anna Valdez?
Identify some of the aesthetic choices in the work
How does the subject matter contribute to the creation of mood or feeling?
Explain what mood or feeling does the work evoke?
Draw an idea that you generated from looking at the work of Anna Valdez. Explain how this investigation impacted your artistic development.
Finding Inspiration - Hà Minh
Finding Inspiration - Hà Minh
Alone in Antartica, 2022
Bear of Nostolgia, 2022
Buddha's Hand, 2022
Comfort Bear, 2022
Dragon Fruit, 2023
Fading, 2022
Comfort Bear, 2022
selection of paintings shared in class
In this lesson, you will look at the work of contemporary still life artist Hà Minh. You will identify her key Aesthetic choices and create an artwork in response to your investigation.
In this lesson, you will look at the work of contemporary still life artist Hà Minh. You will identify her key Aesthetic choices and create an artwork in response to your investigation.
Task P1: Whole Class activity
Task P1: Whole Class activity
Visiting Artist! Hà Minh visits class and shares her work with grade 9 art students.
Task P2: In your process journal, please create a slide of Hà Minh
Task P2: In your process journal, please create a slide of Hà Minh
Who is Hà Minh?
What are 3 things she told the class during her visit?
Describe how she arranges composition. How does she crop her compositions?
Describe how she uses color.
What ideas did you think about while listening to her presentation? (list 3-4 ideas)
draw 1-4 of these ideas in your Process Journal, take a picture and upload to your slide.
What, Why, How ?
What, Why, How ?
(unit check in)
In this lesson, you will check in with your work so far in this unit. What have you accomplished and what is on your to do list?
In this lesson, you will check in with your work so far in this unit. What have you accomplished and what is on your to do list?
SoI: Aesthetic choices allow artists to communicate intentions
SoI: Aesthetic choices allow artists to communicate intentions
What
What
you are working towards designing your still life.
you have investigated Anna Valdez, Hà Minh, Fauvist artists' style
you have investigated aesthetic choices
you have practiced leaves and still life drawing
Why
Why
Artists that are inspiring your composition: Anna Valdez, Hà Minh
Fauvist use of color and compositions (inspired by the Goldfish) inspire your color and composition
Artists inspire artists
How
How
Document your investigation and learning in your digital Process Journal + create a Hà Minh slide (after Anna Valdez slide)
What should be completed now? Template Slides 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 (you may have added more slides)
Leaves and Flowers
Leaves and Flowers
In this series of lessons, you will practice drawing leaves and plants
In this series of lessons, you will practice drawing leaves and plants
Task P1:
Task P1:
Watch the clip How to crosshatch and practice cross-hatching in your journal
Task P2:
Task P2:
Watch this video and practice drawing leaves of different shapes in your Process Journal.
Task P3:
Task P3:
Watch this video and practice drawing different shaped flowers.
Further resources here:
Still Life Drawing & Colour Palettes
Still Life Drawing & Colour Palettes
Matisse studio
PJ Questions:
What are some strategies I can use to improve my drawing?
PJ Questions:
What are some strategies I can use to improve my drawing?
How does my drawing communicate intentions?
How does my drawing communicate intentions?
Still Life planning by Yuri
In this series of lessons, you will create a series of observational drawings of plants and objects in your process journal.
In this series of lessons, you will create a series of observational drawings of plants and objects in your process journal.
You will develop skills in:
You will develop skills in:
Contour drawing
Creating the perception of depth using foreground, middle ground & background
Task P1: Plant still life (one object observational drawing)
Task P1: Plant still life (one object observational drawing)
You have practiced leaf drawing and now we will transfer this learning to an observational drawing of a plant in the classroom. Consider every leaf, flower, stem on their own and how together they make up the larger plant.
Watch: Mediative drawing of plants
If needed: plant photo resources
Arrange objects, plants and textiles so you have something in the foreground, middle ground and background which represent different textures.
Photograph your still life using four different angles. You will complete 4-6 drawings from your photos on one page in your PJ (divide into boxes):
Objects in the foreground, middle ground & background
Positive and negative shapes found in the still life
Various viewpoints represented: low eye level; birds-eye view; high eye level; cropped
Task P3: Create your final composition still life
Task P3: Create your final composition still life
Use your learning from the still life set up to include personal objects, fabrics and ideas for symbolism. You can combine to use both in class objects and personal items from home. This will be the composition you use for the final artwork so take time to set it up and consider how the mood and feeling is impacted.
*Process Journal annotations*
*Process Journal annotations*
In your process journal for each drawing, explain what skill you were focusing on and how you improved and how the different approaches created a different mood.
Use the following art terminology when writing about your work:
Symmetry
Scale
Point-of-view: Low eye level, High eye level, Bird's eye
Pattern
Texture
Line
Foreground, Middleground & Background
Review PJ Annotation slides for more vocabulary
Additional resources:
planning from Angela
Still Life planning from Lia
Adobe Color extraction example using Valdez' artwork
Adobe Color extraction example using personal still life photo
Example slide by Khanh Linh Nguyen
Task P4: Creating a colour palette
Task P4: Creating a colour palette
Look at the work Homage to the square by Joseph Albers.
Using the website Adobe Colour:
Upload one work by Anna Valdez and Hà Minh and export the colour.
Explain how the artist has used aesthetic choices (colour) to communicate a mood or feeling.
Upload a photo of your composition and export a colour pallet
Generate three colour palettes and in your digital process journal explain how different colour pallets create different moods or feelings.
Experiment with the palette in your book with acrylic paint and write down how you mixed your swatches.
Developing Skills - Acrylic Painting
Developing Skills - Acrylic Painting
In this lesson you will explore painting with acrylic paint in your Process Journal. Try to find the range of value for the color green.
green+yellow
green+white
green+red
How can you make green darker without using black?
Using canvas paper, explore these techniques
Explore these painting techniques:
dry brush
scumbling
sgaffito
wet on wet
glazing
Impasto
Modeling paste
stencils
sponge
masking
drips/splatters
hard + soft edge
gel medium
layers
Photograph Still Life Compositions
Photograph Still Life Compositions
In this series of lessons, you will take photographs that will be used as reference images for your still life painting.
In this series of lessons, you will take photographs that will be used as reference images for your still life painting.
Task P1: Individual
Task P1: Individual
Think about the work of Anna Valdez and Hà Minh. Organize plants, objects and cloth into different arrangements to create a mood or feeling. Take a series of photographs
Some tips:
Experiment with unusual angles, birds eye, ants eye view
Select objects that might have special significants to you. Instruments. books you enjoy, sports equipment, a cat!
Arrange objects that are the same colour and arrange them at different levels
Arrange different fabrics in the background or place objects on different surfaces to create interesting compositions.
Put something in the foreground, middle ground and background
Task P2: In process journal
Task P2: In process journal
Select your best 4 photographs
In your process journal explain
What mood or feeling did you want to communicate in the photograph?
How did you manipulate the visual elements to create an image that communicates a mood or feeling? For example, did you use bird's eye view to create a feeling of disorientation? Did you use natural texture to create a feeling of relaxation and calmness?
Explain how the subject matter contributes to the mood or feeling? Did you include laptops and headphones to create an image that captures the interest of teenagers?
For students working at home here are the photo's taken by Ms Le, which you can use for reference:
plants and objects and still life 2022
Refining - Creating Compositions & Colour Pallets
Refining - Creating Compositions & Colour Pallets
Composition traced & ready for final still life
Colour palette and medium practice applied to details from still life
Exemplary PJ slide to explore potential colour for the final artwork
PJ page by Khue Nguyen
In this series of lessons, you will create a series of compositional sketches for your final artwork.
In this series of lessons, you will create a series of compositional sketches for your final artwork.
Driving question:
Driving question:
What mood or feeling do I want to communicate?
What mood or feeling do I want to communicate?
Task P1: In process journal
Task P1: In process journal
Using your own photographs create 4-6 sketches for your final composition.
In your process journal write about your intentions. Explain how you are using the following visual elements to create a mood of feeling. Use the some of the Art terms below in your responses:
Balance
Flow
Point of view ( birds- eye view, Close up etc)
Foreground
Middleground
Background
Overlapping
Cropping
Choice Board planning activity:
Refining - Painting Process
Refining - Painting Process
In this series of lessons, you will
In this series of lessons, you will
learn to paint using layers and
learn to paint using layers and
capture your process with photos
capture your process with photos
Task P1: Layers building up from the background
Task P1: Layers building up from the background
Begin with light colours first, setting the tone for your artwork. Instead of focusing on only one object in all of its details, lay down the background colours
Task P2: sketch your still life on the background
Task P2: sketch your still life on the background
use a light pencil to sketch your composition
start painting from the background, middle ground, foreground
consider your color scheme
Task P3: Making adjustments
Task P3: Making adjustments
ADD modify or change your composition to create balance, harmony and visual interest. Remember you have an artistic license to change things and alter colours from reality.
Task P4:Light and Shadow
Task P4:Light and Shadow
ADD light and shadow, think about balance and unity.
Task P5:Final touches
Task P5:Final touches
Details and finishing touches added last
Ongoing: Process Journal work
Ongoing: Process Journal work
Take at minimum 4 process images of your pastel drawing.
Describe what you are doing at each stage
Describe the decisions you made, problems you encountered and how your resolved them ( what you learnt)
Use subject-specific terminology such as:
Foreground, Middle ground, Background, Cropping, Overlapping, Balance, Composition, Colour pallet, Outline, Mid-tone, Highlights, Shadows, Detail, Texture, Patterns, Emphasis, Luminosity, Harmony, Saturation, Vivid, Unnatural.
Write about how you are using colour, texture, line and pattern to communicate a selected mood or feeling?
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
In this series of lessons, you will write an artist statement to explain your intentions. Address the Statement Of Inquiry: Aesthetic choices help artists to communicate intentions
In this series of lessons, you will write an artist statement to explain your intentions. Address the Statement Of Inquiry: Aesthetic choices help artists to communicate intentions
Give your work a title
Write your artist statement by answering the questions on the template in your G drive folder
When completed, copy & paste your responses into the doc template along with your name & title:
When completed, copy & paste your responses into the doc template along with your name & title:
Still Life Painting + Ceramics
Still Life Painting + Ceramics
In this series of lessons, you will build on your clay skills from grade 8. You will explore ceramic hand building using coils to create a vase. The surface of the vase will be your painted still life, or a selection of it.
In this series of lessons, you will build on your clay skills from grade 8. You will explore ceramic hand building using coils to create a vase. The surface of the vase will be your painted still life, or a selection of it.
Task 1: Vase Shape
Look Anna Valdez' ceramic vase designs. The first thing to consider is the shape. What shape do you want your vase/plate to be? Sketch this shape in your Process Journal. (1 class)
Task 2: Surface design
Consider your still life painting. Plan the surface design of your vase/plate inspired by your still life painting. (1 class)
Task 3: Make the Vase/plate
Using coils, hand build your vase (3 classes)
Task 4: Painting the vase with underglazes
sketch out your surface design on your vase (still wet, not fired). Paint the still life design using underglazes. (3-5 classes)
Composition in Photography
Composition in Photography
In this series of lessons, you will explore composition through photography.
In this series of lessons, you will explore composition through photography.
Capture four photographs that reflect four of the Rules of Composition. Edit your final selections in Photoshop. You have 3-4 classes to complete this task.
TIP: You will need to take more than four photos to complete the task well. Take at least three photos per rule of composition to give you options to choose from.
After editing your final four photos, insert them into the template provided in your drive folder. If you choose to do more than four rules you can add slides accordingly.
After editing your final four photos, insert them into the template provided in your drive folder. If you choose to do more than four rules you can add slides accordingly.
Using the DSLR Camera
Using the DSLR Camera
In this series of lessons, you will explore the auto settings of the DSLR camera
In this series of lessons, you will explore the auto settings of the DSLR camera
We will use the AUTO setting to capture these photos. Learn about the camera as an intro to digital photography and how to change settings to achieve the composition you want to capture.
We will use the AUTO setting to capture these photos. Learn about the camera as an intro to digital photography and how to change settings to achieve the composition you want to capture.
AUTO
LANDSCAPE
MACRO
PORTRAIT
SPORTS
EXTRAS- NO FLASH & NIGHT
Light painting (slow shutter speed) resources
Intro to Photo Editing in Photoshop
Intro to Photo Editing in Photoshop
PhotoshopToolsOverviewPrintableHandoutStudyGuide-1.pdfStudent Showcase
Student Showcase
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