Submitted by: Ken Schwab, Leigh High School, San Jose CA
Unit: Design - Painting - Architecture Study
Lesson Plan: Non-objective design using architecture.
Grade Level: High School -  Suitable for grades 7 thru 12

Resources:

Richard Diebenkorn  (American Abstract Painter, 1922-1993) - Artchive - Art & Culture

Many abstract interiors online - poster images Ocean Park are more hard edged.

Building Views: Architectural constructions - Architectural abstractions - photographs by Laura Joy Lustig

Photocopies of architectural interiors

Instruction:

1. Present the work of Richard Diebenkorn (or abstract hard edge painter of choice).

2. Review use of view finder to find an interesting composition - review principles of design

3. Review color planning.

4. Demonstrate painting techniques.

Procedures:

This is a project that uses a finder to see a composition using architectural design and resource.

1. Make a finder that is a ratio of 2 x 3, 4 x 5, 3 x 4, etc. and pass it over the picture looking for the principles of design and for an interesting composition.
2. After looking at the work of Richard Diebenkorn use his sense of interpreting the shapes and angle of the room to the simplest lines and shapes.
3. Enlarge this finder idea to a larger rectangle of the same proportion.
4. On the smaller picture create a value pattern for the design using at least 4 values.
5. Transfer  (with graphite) the image to illustration board.
6. Select a color scheme from the 4 given to you;
1. Complimentary Pairs
2. Double Complimentary pair.
3. Split Complimentary
4. Analogous

7. Work on a color scheme worksheet to choose 10 colors that range in value from very dark to almost white.
8. Mix these colors and put them into small containers with lids.
9. By using the value pattern you did previously, start to paint the shapes keeping the edges hard by using removable tape.  You can make gradations or use sponging for different textures.
10. Remember the principles of design and establish a focal point, balance of colors and values, lead the eye through the format with directional movement and rhythm.

Non objective painting with color schemes

Materials needed:

Construction paper
Pencil
Ruler
Tape
Xacto knives
Tempera paint
Brushes
Palettes
Graphite sticks
Removable tape
Illustration board

We are going to make nonobjective designs using color schemes based on the idea that we can find design and composition while looking at realistic scenes. To do this we need to begin with finders¡¦

1. First thing is to create a finder with some scrap paper. Use the patterns of some small rectangles that will be labeled 2x3, 4x5, 3x4 etc. These are ratios of the length to the width. Later we will be enlarging our designs and this will be a necessary thing to remember so write it down. Trace out the rectangle leaving a space between them to cut them out and cut the center out leaving a hole. Save these and make at least 6.
2. Find some of the architectural Digest magazines or any magazine for that matter that has pictures of buildings, both exterior and interior. Place the finder over the pictures and look for the principle of design. (See demo)
a. Area of Emphasis- a special area that is special, has lines edges and shapes that seem to meet in an area, or looks like the angles of the shapes lead your eye to that area. Lay the finder down and locate this area in one of the aesthetic centers of interest (division of thirds).
b. Rhythm and Directional movement- Use the finder to direct the lines edges of shapes etc to lead the eye of the format as well as lead you eyes to the center of interest. The rhythm is achieved by using a good flow of angles that lead nicely from one to another without having a shape seem to break the movement between shapes.
c. Balance- Look for a balance that is not symmetrical but more of a counter balance to the shapes you are using. Such as circles, make sure there are circles in all quadrants of the format but there can be more in one area over another. Color, values and that will be decided later and you are not looking for them in here yet. However if the value pattern is good tin your finder you can use it.
d. Variety of size- Now when you start to select the shapes and lines you like leave out some and add others to create an interesting design that has large and small areas. Make sure there are big differences in their sizes.
e. Unity- a unity of elements is important that the whole composition is achieving a look of complete Harmony. Areas that don¡¯t seem to belong will tend to make it look choppy and not interesting.

3. After the finder has been moved around and you like what is in there. We are going to take a piece of newsprint and draw out our design. Choose a newsprint size that conforms to the ratio of your finder. 2x3= 12" x18", 3x4= 12"x 16", 4x5= 12"x 15". On the newsprint with rulers compasses etc. choose the shapes and lines for your composition. Remember how Richard Diebenkorn saw shapes and design in the landscapes, we are looking for the design in the buildings. You can choose the areas you want to draw from and not use all of the areas in the finder. Simplicity is best at first developing the area of emphasis and leading your attention to that area. Then re- emphasize the area of interest with more shapes and balance that with a variety of size d shapes leading off the format. Remember the demonstration I made and try this a couple of times even with the same subject.

4. Now that we have the design we are going to shade in a value pattern. A value pattern is the way an artist selects dark and light areas to direct the attention through a piece of art. Whether or not it is nonobjective or realistic the value pattern is very important. We will use 5 distinct values black, dark gray, middle gray, light gray and white. Look at your design and pick a large area that you can make black that will move the attention to your area of emphasis, then use another one to lead you through it and back to the other side of the format. You have created a directional movement that has use d values as well as shapes. Continue this until you have dark areas leading off the format in at least 3 of the four sides of the rectangle. Follow this with a dark gray areas that do a similar movement that complements the first direction and so on through the other values. The white areas will be the lightest colors and will be important to have a contrast between them and the darks to make the area of emphasis important. Work this out and shade in the newsprint.

5. Color Schemes- Color schemes are recipes for mixing a group of colors that will look good together. These schemes can have a lot of contrast or very little contrast in the colors used. Each time you use a color scheme you can mix any combination of the group together with themselves and by using black and white produce tints, shades, and tones of gray with all the colors. We are going to learn the color schemes and use one of them for this painting.

6. When you have mixed colors within the color scheme on the color worksheets making sure you have a strong dark color and very light color choose 8-10 colors that will gradually change form dark to light. Do this by cutting the squares out of the worksheets and laying them on the table. When this is done mix a small quantity of the color in the little plastic containers with lids.

7. By using the value pattern and seeing the demonstration of using the Removable tape, sponges, gradations, brush painting (painterly), and flat covering, choose the colors that resemble the value pattern and finish the project. The design should be transferred with graphite to Illustration board or chipboard.

Notes on Painting for High School Students- from Ken Schwab:

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