Abstract Animal Scratch Art

 

Submitted by: Kathleen Arola, Arizona

For Substitute/Guest Teacher to follow: Yes       No   X     * Follow Substitute Folder

 

Grade Level: 4 - 8                                       Length of Lesson: 5 studio sessions

 

Studio  X       Aesthetics  X                       Art History                Art Criticism

 

Objective/s:

 

* Students will demonstrate the use of a variety of lines in a scratch art design.

* Students will demonstrate the use of pattern within the body of their scratch art animal.

* Students will use and define their theme and selection of symbols within the body of their animal.

* Students will use and define positive and negative shapes in their work.

 

National Standards Addressed:           

 

Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes

Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions

Content Standard #3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas   

 

Purpose: This is a seventh grade scratch art lesson in which students will use line as an element of art and pattern as a principle of design.  Students will also communicate intended meaning in their artworks by consciously selecting a theme and symbols to be etched into the interior of their animal shapes.

                                   

Vocabulary:

line:  an element of art that is a mark with length and direction

pattern: repetition of anything as a principle of design

engraving: a method of cutting or incising a design into a material with a sharp tool

scratch board:   illustration board in which black ink-coating is scratched away to reveal a white clay-coated surface

positive space: space in an artwork that is filled with something

negative space: empty space in an artwork       

symbol: something representing a meaning other than the one with which it is usually associated   

theme: recurrent idea or topic; motif        

abstract: imagery departing from representational accuracy

 

 

 

Resources:

http://www.currys.com/artistsmaterial/prodinfo.asp?SubcatID=803&catID=4

Scratch board product information

 

http://www.weastillustration.com/L2scratch.html

Scratch board portfolio and brief description of process

 

http://www.cswdesign.com/a_illustration.HTM

Portfolio of Chicago scratch board artist

 

http://www.freckledgecko.com/ilst_scratch.htm

Three animal scratch board pieces

 

http://home.san.rr.com/montiels/eric/page9.html

Scratch board seal

 

http://www.todeirdre.com/pages/Paintings/AR9012.html

Scratch board raccoon

 

http://pinkmeister.net/PMPweb/Wheaton/drawing-adv4.htm

Scratch board squirrel

 

http://www.keithsheridan.com/faro.html

Robert Vale Faro’s work, including scratch art pieces

 

http://www.indyschools.com/webs/tfernetti/2000-8th_grade.htm

Eighth grade artwork, including scratch board pieces

 

                       

Materials for session 1: 

 

            * pencils

            * newsprint for practice sketches

            * computer with proxima      

 

Procedure: Studio session 1

1.  View scratch art links or teacher created Power Point presentation of scratch board artwork.

2.  Discuss the use of line and pattern in the works observed.

3.  Sketch examples of animals emphasizing line.

 

 

Materials for session 2:

 

            * animal sketches from session 1

            * pencils

            * 5" x 5" black scratch board with white underneath the layer of black

            * scratching tools      

 

Procedure: Studio session 2

 

1.  Scratch the basic outline shape of the animal using a variety of lines (thick, thin, straight, curvy, diagonal, horizontal, vertical, etc.).

2.  Begin teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art worksheet.

 

                                               

Materials for session 3:

 

            * scratch board project begun in session 2

            * scratching tools

            * animal sketches from session 1

            * teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art
              worksheet

            * pencils

 

Procedure: Studio session 3

 

1. Complete teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art worksheet.

2.  Use worksheet as a guide, and scratch symbols into body of animal on scratch board.

 

                                               


                                                            Name ________________________________

 

                                                            Date _________________________________

 

Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art

 

 

Animal chosen for scratch board project: _____________________________

 

Words to describe this animal:

 

 

 

 

 

Theme of scratch art project: _______________________________________

 

Symbols that represent the theme:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filler patterns:

 

 

                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 


Materials for session 4:

 

            * scratch board project begun in session 2

            * scratching tools

            * animal sketches from session 1

            * teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art
               worksheet

            * pencils

 

Procedure: Studio session 4

 

1.  Using teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art worksheet, scratch filler patterns into body of animal on scratch board.

2.  Observe positive and negative space in the piece.  Scratch thicker lines or white shapes if needed to balance the composition.

 

Materials for session 5:

 

            * scratch board project begun in session 2

            * scratching tools

            * animal sketches from session 1

            * teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art
               worksheet

            * pencils

 

Procedure: Studio session 5

 

1. Finish project as described in previous sessions.

2.  Critique own and others’ scratch art verbally.

 

Extensions:

Science: Research the animal in your artwork.

Language Arts: Write a journal entry from the perspective of your animal, and explain why there are specific symbols on your body.

Math: Practice drawing geometric shapes that could be used as symbols in the work.

                                   


 

Evaluation and reflection:

 

 

Student Name ________________________________ Date ______________

 

 

Rubric for Abstract Animal Scratch Art

 

 

Exceeds

Meets

Progressing

Unsatisfactory

Uses at least five different types of line

 

 

 

 

Clearly creates pattern within the animal shape

 

 

 

 

Balances positive and negative shapes

 

 

 

 

Demonstrates knowledge of theme and symbolism by completing teacher created Theme and Symbolism in Abstract Animal Scratch Art worksheet

 

 

 

 

Uses theme and symbolism in scratch art

 

 

 

 

Demonstrates neatness

 

 

 

 

Articulates knowledge of work and work of others through discussion and presentation

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Teacher Comments: ________________________________________________________________

 

 

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Additional Student Comments: ________________________________________________________________

 

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