Activity

Students will explore the unique properties of a variety of art materials for this first unit.  They will then use their knowledge of these supplies in order to create mini drawings and paintings.


Enduring Understandings

  1. •Art develops creative thinking and problem solving skills.


Essential Questions

  1. •What choices do artists make?

  2. •Is art technique or idea?

  3. •What is the purpose of using this medium in this context?

  4. •What kinds of things can be used to make art?

  5. •Does art have rules?


Objective

Students will:

  1. •learn about the unique properties of acrylics, watercolor, oil pastel and chalk pastels

  2. •seek out and complete online resources that provide additional information on art material usage and techniques

  3. •practice and explore different ways of using these materials

  4. •create four mini projects that use the four different art materials


Standards and Benchmarks

Standard I: Practicing and applying media, techniques, and processes    

  1. 1.Conceive and create works of visual art that demonstrate an understanding of how the communication of ideas relates to the media, techniques and processes used

  2. 2.Apply media, techniques and processes with sufficient skill, confidence and sensitivity that one's intentions are carried out in artworks


Procedure

This unit will be divided into four mini units. Each mini unit will consist of three class periods. During the course of the first unit you will be exploring the unique properties of acrylics, watercolors, oil pastels and chalk pastels.


Class 1: Material Demonstrations

During the first half of class 1 you will learn about the use and care of a specific art material. The second half of the class will be open for personal exploration of this material. In order to further build upon the knowledge learned in class, search the internet to find additional online materials that will add to your understanding of the specific material.


Class 2: Material Exploration

You will have the first half of class to finish your material explorations. During the second half, you will begin to work on your final project.


Class 3: Final Project

You will have the entire period to work on your final project. Projects and sketchbook work is due at the end of the period.


Project Requirements

  1. •Material: Complete each work in the assigned material

  2. •Size: Paper and/or canvas will be supplied to you

  3. •Project must demonstrate an understanding of the assigned art materials


Download the following document to see the rubric for this project: Material Exploration Rubric.pages

 

Unit 1- Material Explorations