Art Lesson Plan: Astract Expressionism Collage


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Submitted by: Ken Schwab, Leigh High School, San Jose CA
Unit: Painting/Collage - Robert Rauschenberg
Lesson Plan: Abstract Expressionism - painting with collage
Grade Level: High school 9 thru 12 (adaptable to middle school)

Objectives: Students will

1. Gain an understanding and appreciation of abstract expressionism -
Learn how an artist works/gets ideas.

2. Combine collage with painting techniques to create a composition
around a selected theme.

3. Integrate technology - use Internet to locate images.

4. Employ elements and principles of design in creation of abstract
composition.

Materials:

Canvas (stretched canvas/stretcher strips or canvas boards)
Acrylic paints
Collage items, photos, printouts
Pencils
Brushes assorted sizes flats and round (brights)
White Glue (or acrylic medium)
Scissors

Resources:

Robert Rauschenberg Online Pop Art Abstract Expressionism

Jasper Johns Racing Thoughts, 1983 http://www.whitney.org/american_voices/271/index.html This work is somewhat autobiographical. Close-up of Racing Thoughts http://www.artchive.com/artchive/J/johns/racing.jpg.html

Video: Rauschenberg: Man At Work (also available in visual resource catalogs)

Video: Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius

Instruction/Motivation:

1. Present work of Robert Rauschenberg (through slides or Power Point). Discuss/critique art
prints.

2. Show video of Rauschenberg at work (if available).

3. Present the idea of "theme". Instruct students to look for photographs and found objects from
home.

4. Give students time on the Internet to locate images. Students who do not need images may do
research on Rauschenberg

5. Demonstrate collage technique (transfers may also be made as indicated on Liquitex Site).
Review painting techniques.

Procedures:

1. Look at the work of Robert Rauschenberg. Study the use of large painted areas with collage of pictures and found items. The use of vertical horizontal movement and the quick loose brush strokes. Find a theme or concept to paint. Collect pictures and/or real items to use in the collage. If you are using the Internet, the printers today do not all use waterproof inks so these will blur, but who cares! It is expressionistic and this is ok to blur.

2. Plan out the placement of the pictures to have an area of emphasis and to create directional movement and rhythm. Remove these and start with some quick brush strokes to set the paintings movement and direction. Follow this with the lamination of the photos and printouts, using white glue and a big brush. Layer the glue and water over and under the photos quickly so as not to blur them. (Gloss acrylic medium may also be used. Apply a thin layer of medium to canvas - smooth on image and allow to dry. When dry - brush medium over the images - this limits blurring the printer ink. Students may want to try the method explained by Liquitex). Student who do not want their images to blur may have them printed on a laser printer or color photocopier (as these inks will not blur as much). Collage elements could be added from magazines or old books.

3. After these dry begin to paint into the pictures and outside of them to tie these together. Balancing of values, colors and shapes will help pull it al together. Keep loose and free acrylic will cover itself and it is only finished when you decide.

4. Adding of real objects and things can be done with a hot glue gun. Remember to have fun and think of compositional rules. Take a look at Rauschenberg examples often to point out good design and composition as well as his technique.

Evaluation:

1. Did students show an understanding of the work of Robert Rauschenberg - Were they able to
critique selected works and see how the elements and principles of design apply?

2. Did students employ the elements and principles of design to create an abstract composition
around a selected theme combining collage with painting?

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