CC Class #2
Project Description:
In this lesson, students experimented with how to transform materials and manipulate color, shape, and line to create abstract art. They explored how emotions can be communicated with design elements. Each student engaged in a multi-step process, first creating a cardboard and foam paper design, then applying paint, and finally transferring the image onto paper to create an abstracted collagraph print. In today's art exploration, students used color, shape, and line to to create non-representational forms.
Essential Understanding:
Artists and designers communicate their emotions using visual elements to create non-representational designs.
Objectives/Outcomes:
Students will be able to...
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Brainstorm colors and shapes into design ideas
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Use several materials and techniques to envision a collagraph
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Transfer paint to collagraph to create prints
Skills:
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Manipulate a variety of materials
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Envision creating a collagraph as it will transfer onto paper
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Combine 2-D and 3-D materials/techniques
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Reflection
Lesson plan can be found here.
What worked well for this art experience? Why?
In our Community Connections class on Monday the 26th, I think there were a few things that worked well. I think introducing our students to a new technique was a success. They loved the magic of creating a collagraph, seeing the paint transfer on to a piece of paper in a new way. A lot of students expressed excitement when revealing their prints. I think what also worked well was having students come up and ask for paint. I think this worked better than just providing already prepared pallets. There was a bucket of acrylic paints of all different colors which pushed the students to use different unique colors like silver and gold, this allowed them to visualize what colors they wanted to use for their print. Originally we were going to provide the class with cardboard to cut into shapes but when we tried to cut it ourselves, it was too difficult, so we decided to go with foam paper instead. This worked well because it was easy to cut and allow for students to get creative and inventive with their shapes. I also think having different paper and cardboard sizes benefitted the class because the students had more choices and made a variety of prints.
What didn’t work well for this art experience? Why?
There were some things that didn't work well in our lesson planning. First I think we procrastinated on fixing our plan because originally it was just a cardboard mosaic and then it turned into a collagraph which changed some of the lesson ideas. We should've fixed it in time to get more feedback and to better prepare the lesson. I also think our lesson plan didn't work as well as I hoped. Our plan was to teach how artists convey emotion through shapes and color. We wanted to ask students to pick an emotion to visually convey in their artwork and then have their classmates react, but we didn't really tell students to brainstorm and choose a feeling instead the students just went for it. I feel like we could have expressed more importance on the playing and experimentation of artmaking instead of the emotions and have students describe or show how they made discoveries through the technique of creating collagraphs. Some students finished this lesson quickly so they were just sitting there for a while, we had this issue last time too.
What would you do differently? Why?
First of all, we will not procrastinate like we did, it will relieve us from unnecessary stress. Also next time I would frame the lesson more towards creating, playing and experimenting instead of making the meaning behind it because through playing, students express their personalities in whatever way they want instead of us telling them to convey an emotion, maybe they aren't feeling a particular emotion at the time. Again, for next time I want to create a lesson that takes longer, I want to engage my students, I want them to have a fun time creating art.