Lesson Plan 2: Demonstration of and Experimentation with Different Media and Techniques
In this lesson, the objective will be to increase the students' understanding of the use of colored pencils, watercolors and acrylic paints first by watching demonstrations given by me and then by experimentation with each medium and associated techniques. When they are ready to work on their final poster designs, they will use this knowledge to select the media, materials and techniques that will best enhance their posters and choose the one(s) that they feel they can best manipulate for successful results. This lesson should take at least three class periods (1 ½ hours blocks).
One the first day, using Prismacolors (a brand of colored pencils of exception quality), I will demonstrate a variety of colored pencil techniques that will include using different pencil pressures, layering colors in different sequences, Prismacolor blenders, and color mixing theory. I will demonstrate on a human eye that I have drawn lightly (making erasing easier) in graphite pencil and on the letter A. Examples of art rendered in colored pencils will be shown. The criteria for grading will be discussed for all three sets of squares. Each will be worth a possible 20 points. To receive full credit, each drawing must be signed and completed in the assigned medium, show minimal pencil sketch marks, and be a serious attempt to draw and color them well. After all questions have been answered, students will start on their mini-drawings. Each student will sketch separately an eye from magazine photos and a letter of their own choice on two pieces of 33" x 3" white sulphite drawing paper. This letter can be traced or hand drawn each time. I have selected this small paper format because I want the students to explore three different media but in a limited time period. The students will then explore colored pencils as they render their drawings. I will hang the signed squares on the board. Students who have not finished can check out Crayola pencils to finish their drawings at home. Because of their price, our Prismacolors are not allowed out of the room.
On the second day, we will take a quick look at the drawings from the previous class and review colored pencils as a medium. Then I will demonstrate the mysteries of watercolors using flat and graded washes, frisket (for temporarily masking an area to be left dry), dry brush techniques, tilting the wet surface to manipulate running colors, layered colors, and salt for the creation of crystal effects. Discussion will include selection of brushes and papers that will best match each chosen medium. After examples of acrylic paintings have been shown and questions have been answered, students will draw lightly in pencil a human eye and a letter on two separate 3" x 3" squares of watercolor paper. Using any of the techniques that they have learned, they will then paint them using watercolors. As the students finish, they will hang their letters and eyes next to the ones that they drew in the precious class.
Techniques using acrylics will be demonstrated on the third day. Students can observe the hanging drawings from the two previous classes as they enter the room. Acrylics are traditionally used from the tubes to mirror the richness of oil paints but they can be also be thinned with water to look like watercolors or for use as transparent layers of color. I will show them how to blend acrylics, use the hard edge method of painting to capture crisp lines, and use the fast drying characteristics of this medium to their benefit.
Finished pieces using acrylics plus mixed media (more than one medium used on the same piece) and cut paper techniques will be shown. Some methods of printmaking will have been explored in the prerequisite 2D class and students may create their posters using printmaking techniques. The class as a whole will discuss the merits and disadvantages of using each medium. Because I am presenting this unit to upper level classes, a lot of this material will be review and not new material.
Materials will include but not be limited to pencils, erasers, sharpeners, sandpaper, X-acto knives, masking tape, rulers, Prismacolor colored pencils and blenders, Crayola colored pencils, watercolors, water, containers for water, frisket or Maskoid, salt, acrylics, brushes, magazine pictures of human eyes, and a variety of papers..
Comments: