non-objective abstraction: painting to music lesson plan

(Teacher samples by Grimm, 2011)

Title: Non-Objective Abstraction

Topic: working with oil pastels, Abstract Expressionism, Jackson Pollock, Max Beckman

Objectives:

• Students will use oil pastels to create either a non-objective expressionism or an expressionist artwork with a subject and they will also identify their selection during assessment.
• Students will work while a variety of music is played and then write about how these music selections influenced they way in which they applied paint, the colors they used, and how they felt during these applications.

Goals:

• Students will identify characteristics of Expressionism.
• Students will develop imagery influenced by music.
• Students will identify specific Expressionist artists.

Fine Art GLEs:

STRAND I: Product/Performance

3. Communicate ideas about subject matter and themes in artworks created for various purposes

A. High School Level I

·      Create original artworks using non-objective subject matters.

STRAND IV: Interdisciplinary Connections (IC)

1. Explain connections between visual art and performing arts

A. High School Level I

·      Connect meanings of elements in art with terms in music, theatre, or dance

STRAND V: Historical and Cultural Contexts (HC)

1. Compare and contrast artworks from different historical time periods and/or cultures

A. High School Level I

·      Identify works from Expressionist art movements.

STRAND I: Product/Performance

1. Select and apply two-dimensional media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas and solve challenging visual art problems

B. High School Level I

• Mix tempera/acrylic paints to create different hues
• Mix tempera/acrylic paints to create a range of 4 values and levels of intensity
• Apply paint to create a solid area of color with no visible brushstrokes, change in value or intensity
• Blend one color/value smoothly into another
• Demonstrate proper use and cleaning of brushes and palettes
• Use brushes of various sizes/types

STRAND II: Elements and Principles (EP)

1. Select and use elements of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork

B. Shapes: High School Level I

·      Differentiate between and use geometric and organic (freeform) shapes

STRAND II: Elements and Principles (EP)

1. Select and use elements of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork

G. Space: High School Level I

·      Identify and use positive and negative space in two-dimensional work

·      Identify and use perspective techniques to create the illusion of space (one-point linear perspective, overlapping, and change of size, detail, placement, value contrast)

STRAND II: Elements and Principles (EP)

2. Select and use principles of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork

B. Emphasis: High School Level I

·      Identify and create emphasis (focal point) through contrast and convergence

STRAND II: Elements and Principles (EP)

2. Select and use principles of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork

D. Rhythm/Repetition: High School Level I

·      Identify and use elements to create regular rhythm

STRAND II: Elements and Principles (EP)

2. Select and use principles of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork

E. Unity: High School Level I

·      Explain how elements and principles create unity in artworks

Grade: 9^th – 12^th

Length of Class Period: 55 minutes

Frequency of Class Period: five days a week

Time Needed: Four class periods

Facility & Equipment Requirements:

• One computer lap top
• Room with good lighting
• Large tables, approximately ten, each seating four students
• Two sinks
• Dry erase board
• Drying racks
• Cabinets for storage
• Projector for viewing computer video, CDs and DVDs

Resources Needed:

• Power point about abstract expressionism
• Slide show depicting many abstract paintings
• Music selections

Materials Per Student:

• Oil pastels
• Mineral spirits
• Drawing paper
• Masking tape
• Scissors

Vocabulary/Terminology: some terms from dictionary.com

1. Abstract Expressionism- a movement in experimental, nonrepresentational painting originating in the U.S. in the 1940s, with sources in earlier movements, and embracing many individual styles marked in common by freedom of technique, a preference for dramatically large canvases, and a desire to give spontaneous expression to the unconscious.
2. Non objective art - Art that is not representational and usually represents no recognizable figures or objects. Sometimes, however, artists do use symbolism in abstract expressionist art forms.
3. Art movement - a group of artists who agree on general principles
4. Theme – The general subject of an artwork that may involve their culture, experiences, or perhaps even a traditional topic relating to another art movement, literature, or political idea etc.

Motivation- Looking and Talking Activity: Students are given one session and a half to practice painting to a wide variety of music prior to actually beginning their final project.

Step-by-Step Studio Activity Specifics:

1. I will begin this lesson by sharing the Power Point about Abstract Expressionism.
2. The students will be given ample opportunity to discuss the meaning of non-objective Expressionism and Expressionism that includes subject matter during the Power Point presentation.
3. I will also take with the students about how music can influence the choices that many artists make while working in their studios.
4. Students will then practice painting to music on newsprint for the remainder of the class period.
5. Students will also practice painting to music the following class period on newsprint.
6. During the third period, I will then show the second Power Point (slide show) depicting a very large collection of Expressionist examples while playing different music selections.
7. I will demonstrate how students may incorporate tape in the process of painting shapes and layering colors.
8. I will hand out nice large drawing papers, oil pastels, and roles of masking tape per table for the students work with for their final piece.
9. I will then play a wide selection of music for the students to work to.

Health & Safety Concerns: There are no health and safety concerns for this project.

Cleanup Time & Strategy: Students will be instructed to put away art materials neatly in their containers, clean off their tables, and recycle their trash two minutes prior to dismissal.

Assessment: A formal assessment/grading rubric sheet is included along with this lesson plan.

All lessons and photographs copyrighted 2011by Grimm

Links to more painting to music.

• Painting Music: Rhythm and Movement in Art for 4th and 6th Graders
• Responding to Music With Paint by Larry Seiler