| Resources:
Jasper Johns Map 1961 http://www.artchive.com/artchive/J/johns/map.jpg.html
Piet Mondrian Online http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/mondrian_piet.html
Lesson Summary:
The students used the map to create a
Mondrian-like artwork. They had to put to use his severe
simplicity in line as well as in color (of course, no green,
which was a color he reportedly hated). Shapes created were more
organic rather than geometric (or organic and geometric
combined).
Having learned about Piet Mondrian, with
his severe focus on line and primary colors, we used a map to
explore his ideas in a unique way. The 3rd grade was asked to
copy the lines in a section of map, excluding numbers and
letters. Then they were asked to combine Mondrian's ideas with
their map drawing. Each student artist chose the materials and
technique used for this project.
Some materials were much better suited for
this project. For the project shown in the picture, the artist
used a sharpie pen along with Prismacolor Art Stix. Some kids
chose markers instead, also with good results. The idea is to go
after that color intensity. Watercolor had a completely
different effect, not so Mondrian-like, but it did have it's own
beauty.
Other options:
Black glue (or black squeeze paint) with
tempera paint (or acrylics). India ink lines - tempera paint.
Black acrylic paint lines with oil pastels. Black oil pastel
lines with watercolor. Glue line on black paper - color in with
pastels. Black marker (or ink) with tissue paper collage (cut to
fit shapes). Students could look at techniques by Jasper Johns
and create a crosshatched drawing with colored pencils.
Maps of regions discussed /learned in
social studies can be used for this project. Review the map key
and features before drawing.
Vocabulary:
Primary colors - geometric - organic -
abstract - non-objective - focus - Piet Mondrian
Motivation:
Present/review primary colors (you may
want to introduce Cyan-Yellow -Magenta as primaries too).
Present work of Piet Mondrian - discuss work - abstract /
non-objective.. Look at maps of regions being presented in
social studies (or local maps). Review how to read a map -what
the Key means etc. Demonstrate how to simplify and focus down on
an interesting area. Demonstrate drawing selected area onto
large white paper (or black paper if desired). Make lines of
abstract composition bold black (see options). Allow choice of
media for coloring in sections. Repeat colors for
balance/unity/variety.
Procedures:
- Students select an interesting area of
map. Draw the main lines onto large drawing paper (white or
black).
- Go over lines with black marker (or
paint)
- Color in selected areas with choice of
media - repeat colors. Leave some areas white.
Variation: Paint entire
composition. See Maps by Jasper Johns.
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