8th Grade Art
Unit: Impressionism/Post Impressionism
Art History: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh
Project: Painting/technology “And you were there!”
OBJECTIVES: Students will:
Learn about Impressionism through the works of
Claude Monet via Internet
Gain an understanding of the Impressionistic
movement in art
Create an Impressionistic/post-Impressionistic
painting (inspired by style of Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh)
Students will do a self-portrait (through the aid
of technology) in front of their landscape
Students will compare the work of Claude Monet to
that of Vincent Van Gogh – will critique their own work
CORRELATION(S):
Life lessons - how art can effect emotions –Mental health
(Discuss Van gogh’s illness)
History - the French Impressionism movement in history – impact
of photography (now artists were trying to do something new)
Resources:
DVD: In a Brilliant Light: Van Gogh in Arles
Assorted prints – Van Gogh and Monet –large Shorewood and
teacher owned.
Materials:
12”x18” newsprint, Seral graphite transfer paper, 12”x18”
corrugated cardboard, gesso, acrylic paints, brushes, water
dishes, digital camera, printer
Introduction:
-
Display
several paintings (prints) by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh
-
Explain
the Impressionism movement in art and its importance (artists
who were influenced by it)
-
Ask
students to look at scenes around them, studying how light and
shadow are related; to think about a scene that they would like
to recreate in paint
-
Discuss
with the students what thoughts the paintings bring to mind,
what emotions they evoke. Start by modeling with your thoughts
of these works of art. Explain to the students how different
paintings can stir different thoughts and emotion.
-
Video:
“Vincent Van Gogh in the Arles: In a Brilliant Light”
(day 2)
Procedures:
-
Beginning
of art making session –Pass out small art reproductions of
Impressionistic and post-Impressionistic landscapes. Students
select one for 12x18 composition.
Draw on 12”x18” newsprint
-
Take
digital photographs of students--calling up one at a time
–include hand in photo (maybe holding a paint brush?
sunglasses?)
-
Gesso
corrugated cardboard (students will work on skills lesson while
waiting for gesso to dry—skills lesson began second day of
class)
-
Transfer
landscape drawing to “canvas board” – transfer digital
portrait – Use Seral transfer paper.
-
Begin
painting in large area of color—use color picture of painting
as a guide—Try to imitate brush strokes of
impressionists/post-Impressionists
-
continue
with painting—try to use color to show mood –time of day
etc.
ENDING THE CLASS PERIOD:
Ask students what they think about Impressionism, how do the
paintings make them feel, do they like this style of artwork
(remember there are no wrong answers here) Ask questions about
what was learned.
EVALUATION:
Observation and questions
Students will be assessed on composition—color plan—painting
skills—highlights and shadows on portrait—Essay on
Impressionism – comparison of work of Monet and Van Gogh.
