Art Lesson Plans

Learn the concept of line, contour lines, and cross contour lines. Learn how to vary line quality and its influence on form and light. Learn how to use cross contour lines to create the illusion of form and light.

Learn various aspects regarding the element of art, shape including the definition of shape, geometric and organic shapes, positive and negative shapes, and how shape can be used to draw representationally.

Use knowledge of shadow and light structure on objects to draw various forms and label shadow structure on them.

Learn the importance of the element art, value and its importance in art creation. Use graphite to draw an egg using just value. Use charcoal to create a still life drawing that uses value to communicate form, light, and texture.

Learn the six ways to create the illusion of space in drawings and paintings. Use your knowledge of linear perspective to create a 3-D maze using graphite and white drawing paper.

Learn the concepts of creating the illusion of texture in a drawing or painting. Apply concepts learned to create a drawing of paper bags from observation using graphite. Accurately depict simulated texture through value.

Use proper colored pencil techniques to draw a collection of transparent marbles from observation. Marbles can be placed on white paper on a table for observation. A photo of the arrangement may be taken in order to draw from observation.

Use your knowledge of color theory to create a painting of a subject that features 3 different distinct sections - each with their own defined color scheme. Label the specific color schemes used to complete the painting on the back of the completed work (ex. complementary, analogous, monochromatic, etc.).

Learn the how to use the gird technique to create an accurate portrait of yourself or a friend. Use tempera (or acrylic) paint to finish as a painting using a specific color scheme.

Use soft and/or hard pastels to create a pastel landscape drawing of a place with some personal significance. Use atmospheric perspective to create the illusion of space in your drawing.

Learn a simple four step approach to drawing the human figure. Create a series of gesture drawings from observation using soft graphite pencils on newsprint paper or in a sketchbook. Use the knowledge gained from practicing figure drawing to create a completed figure drawing with oil pastels.

Create a small clay figure out of white or red earthenware. (If a kiln is not available, Air Dry Clay can be substituted) Work the clay in both the "wet" and "leather-hard" stages to create sculptures that support themselves. Finish your sculpture with acrylic paints or a glaze.

Create an over-sized sculpture that is a reflection of one form of popular culture - junk food. This project is most successful when students can be separated into groups of 4. The teacher may choose to make the assignment a competition where students can vote on the best sculpture at the conclusion of the assignment.

Learn the process of crayon etching while gaining an understanding of a "resist". Learn how to incorporate pattern into artworks. Learn the similarities and differences of regular patterns and irregular patterns.

Create a series of hand-pulled relief prints, carved from linoleum, and printed on slightly larger paper.

Create self-supporting figurative assemblage sculptures made of related found objects.