A new face on an old project - art project

Arts & Activities, March, 2003 by Pat Johns

MATERIALS

* 9" x 12" white drawing paper

* Pencils

* Black markers

* Crayons

* Reproduction of Joan Miro's People and Dog in the Sun

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will ...

* learn about the Spanish artist, Joan Miro and his art.

* learn about and create their own abstract art.

* learn and apply drawing techniques.

* create abstract art from their imaginations.

Young children love to use their imaginations. They find things in the shapes, colors and patterns of abstract art. As an art teacher, I particularly appreciate the imaginations of my youngest students. Because I review shapes and patterns with my first graders, I have reintroduced an art lesson from years ago in which students use scribbled lines. However, I have added art appreciation along with some art history. This has resulted in an informative and imaginative lesson that the children enjoy.

I begin this lesson with a lecture about abstract art. "In order to understand abstract art and to know what the artist is trying to say about his artwork, you must read the title," I explain. I then introduce the Spanish Surrealist/abstract artist, Joan Miro (1893-1983), and show one of his paintings called People and Dog in Sun. I ask the children to point out where the dog, sun and people are in this picture. They all have different ideas about where things are located. Quite often, they see many more things in this picture than what they read in the title. We discuss how and why the black lines stand out in Miro's painting. Finally, we discuss the spaces, colors and patterns.

After this discussion, the students are ready to produce their own abstract artwork. They use scribbled lines similar to Miro's style of abstract art. I show the students how to do a controlled scribbled line by slowly drawing one continuous line with a black marker. I draw the line up, down and all around the paper.

When they draw their line, they first use a pencil and then trace over it with a black marker. When they are finished with the line, they are instructed to connect it back to the beginning, making one continuous line.

The students are now ready to find shapes in this entanglement. They are to color these shapes in any choice of colors. They are also instructed to add patterns to some of the shapes.

After finishing part of the lesson, they are asked to add additional lines with a black marker to complete any objects they might now see in their artwork and are ready to read the title for their picture.

When this lesson is finished, the students are always excited about their artwork and are ready to read the title to the rest of the class. I allow time for each one to show their own picture.

This is an easy lesson to do with the younger children. They are enthusiastic through the entire project. As a result, they learn to appreciate and have more understanding about abstract art. Finally, they use their imaginations while viewing all of their classmates' artwork as well as being thrilled with their own creations.

Pat Johns teaches art at Cold Springs School in Gloucester City, New Jersey.