Into The Garden: Foundational Drawing Skills & Introductory Watercolor Lesson
By Susie Stewart
Grade Level: 9-12
Time: 14 Class Periods , 60 minutes
Outcome
In this lesson students will create a watercolor painting inspired by the garden courtyard. Students will draw from direct observation and color it in using watercolor paint. This lesson is important because it teaches foundational drawing skills, use and control of watercolor paint, and how to see the big picture and the detail in the world around them.
Objectives
The Learner Will:
1. Apply observational drawing skills to complete a contour line drawing.
2. Demonstrate control of paint by using high contrast throughout the painting.
3. Choose at least one object from nature or from the garden, for emphasis in the final image by enlarging or by use of high contrast.
4. Use a composition that touches three sides.
Visual Art Standards
1. MI.A.10-12.01.15.VA Intentionally use art material and tools effectively to communicate ideas.
2. MI.A.10-12.01.16.VA Apply organizational principles and functions to solve specific visual arts problems.
3. MI.A.7-9.03.23.VA Observe and compare works of art that were created for different purposes.
4. MI.A.10-12.03.23.VA Reflect upon the characteristics and assess the merits of one's personal artwork.
Integrated Standards
1. MI.S.7-9.04.04.04 Explain how objects or media reflect, refract, transmit, or absorb light. (Key concepts: Reflection, refraction, absorption, transmission, scattering (or diffusion), medium. Transmission of light-transparent, translucent, opaque. Refraction of light-lenses, prisms. Real-world contexts: Objects that reflect or absorb light, with and without scattering, such as ordinary light and dark colored metals, mirrors; media that transmit light with and without scattering, such as clear and frosted glass, clear and cloudy water, clear and smoky air; uses of lenses, such as eye, cameras, telescope, microscope, magnifying lens.)
2. MI.MA.7-9.02.01.07 Use shape, shape properties and shape relationships to describe the physical world and to solve problems.
3. MI.LA.7-9.12.04 Create a collection of personal work based on individual, shared, and academic standards, reflecting on the merit of each selection.
Universal Design for Learning
1. Intrapersonal - Choosing object to include
2. Naturalistic - Objects from nature
3. Visual - PowerPoint Right/L brain, Drawing From Nature and Teacher example
4. Mathematical - dividing page evenly, using crosshair guidelines, vertical/horizontal/angle spatial/size comparisons
5. Kinesthetic - drawing outdoors, choosing object from nature
6. Verbal - Share during class critiques
Time: 14 Class Periods , 60 minutes
Outcome
In this lesson students will create a watercolor painting inspired by the garden courtyard. Students will draw from direct observation and color it in using watercolor paint. This lesson is important because it teaches foundational drawing skills, use and control of watercolor paint, and how to see the big picture and the detail in the world around them.
Objectives
The Learner Will:
1. Apply observational drawing skills to complete a contour line drawing.
2. Demonstrate control of paint by using high contrast throughout the painting.
3. Choose at least one object from nature or from the garden, for emphasis in the final image by enlarging or by use of high contrast.
4. Use a composition that touches three sides.
Visual Art Standards
1. MI.A.10-12.01.15.VA Intentionally use art material and tools effectively to communicate ideas.
2. MI.A.10-12.01.16.VA Apply organizational principles and functions to solve specific visual arts problems.
3. MI.A.7-9.03.23.VA Observe and compare works of art that were created for different purposes.
4. MI.A.10-12.03.23.VA Reflect upon the characteristics and assess the merits of one's personal artwork.
Integrated Standards
1. MI.S.7-9.04.04.04 Explain how objects or media reflect, refract, transmit, or absorb light. (Key concepts: Reflection, refraction, absorption, transmission, scattering (or diffusion), medium. Transmission of light-transparent, translucent, opaque. Refraction of light-lenses, prisms. Real-world contexts: Objects that reflect or absorb light, with and without scattering, such as ordinary light and dark colored metals, mirrors; media that transmit light with and without scattering, such as clear and frosted glass, clear and cloudy water, clear and smoky air; uses of lenses, such as eye, cameras, telescope, microscope, magnifying lens.)
2. MI.MA.7-9.02.01.07 Use shape, shape properties and shape relationships to describe the physical world and to solve problems.
3. MI.LA.7-9.12.04 Create a collection of personal work based on individual, shared, and academic standards, reflecting on the merit of each selection.
Universal Design for Learning
1. Intrapersonal - Choosing object to include
2. Naturalistic - Objects from nature
3. Visual - PowerPoint Right/L brain, Drawing From Nature and Teacher example
4. Mathematical - dividing page evenly, using crosshair guidelines, vertical/horizontal/angle spatial/size comparisons
5. Kinesthetic - drawing outdoors, choosing object from nature
6. Verbal - Share during class critiques