National Gallery of Canada
Lumps, Bumps, Gritty, and Soft!
Texture can really add to a work of art. Explore texture through observation and practice. Learners view and discuss works of art by M.C. Escher. They then create their own texture samplers with six different materials.
National Gallery of Canada
My Upside-Down World!
M.C. Escher is famous for creating optical illusions. Examine this effect in several of his works and discuss the techniques involved. Inspired by the discussion, learners create an imaginary 3-D world inside of a box using various...
National Gallery of Canada
Picture This!
Introduce your class to Inuit prints and use these artworks as inspiration for a printmaking activity. Pupils make stories to go along with the images and then come up with their own heroic moments to illustrate. They take moments from...
National Gallery of Canada
A Unity Wall Drawing
Build class community with an art project. Learners first examine and discuss works of art. They then contribute to a class mural by tracing their hands and decorating them in relation to their own cultures. The final mural incorporates...
National Gallery of Canada
Social Realism
Examine social strife in art. Class members first observe some pieces, and then find an image to inspire their own art. They outline the picture, analyze the composition, make alterations, and color their work.
National Gallery of Canada
Me or You in the 30's?
Take on portrait painting and tertiary colors with a plan focused on recreating a photograph. After viewing several pieces of artwork, class members follow the instructions included here to create portraits or self-portraits in a...
National Gallery of Canada
Contemporary Reflections
Combine art and writing in a lesson about legends. After viewing Inuit art, class members examine their own cultural surroundings in order to write and visually represent a legend. Individuals are invited to take the creative reins when...
National Gallery of Canada
Build Me a Legend
Legends are full of imagery and action. Transfer a scene from a legend to a three-dimensional art piece. Class members first view Inuit art and discuss legends. They then build scenes that include action, setting, and characters.
National Gallery of Canada
Tantalizing Tessellations!
Examine repeating and intricate patterns with a study of M.C. Escher and a related art activity. Pupils view and discuss the artwork before creating their own tessellating patterns. Step-by-step instructions for creating a template are...
J. Paul Getty Trust
Looking and Learning in the Art Museum — Lesson 1
To prepare for a field trip to a local art museum, art class members journal their initial reactions to a reproduction of the work they will focus on during their visit. The whole class then considers the artistic elements in the piece...
National Gallery of Canada
Make a Parfleche
Examine American Indian art and culture by observing contemporary art and creating original pieces. Class members discuss artwork included in the plan and use these images to help inspire their own work, which should represent their...
Brigham Young University
Computer Age
Theater arts class members get a chance to see how professionals employ tech tools. As they sketch, render, build models, and prepare presentations of the set design for a current show, learners either visit a professional theater or by...
Curated OER
Poster Design For Peace
Students examine the elements and principles of design. They design and create posters to promote world peace.
Curated OER
Introduction to the Principles of Design & Balance
Students explore the relationship of the principles of design to the elements and also the principle of balance. They demonstrate knowledge of fashion strategies. Students distinguish between line, texture, color, shape/form and patterns.
Curated OER
Principle of Design
Students study the principle of design 'Emphasis' through class participation, a PowerPoint presentation, and a portfolio assignment. They add a page discussing emphasis to their professional portfolio and demonstrate knowledge of the...
Curated OER
Principles of Design Quiz
Students review principes of design in groups and then take the quiz individually.
Curated OER
Proportion Flattering the Figure- Principle of Design
Students create a professional fashion presentation incorporating the principles and elements of design, explain each in writing, (portfolio, color board, power point, display, etc.). They learn how to create a flattering figure and...
Curated OER
Rhythm - Principle of Design
Students demonstrate their knowledge of design through the creation of a portfolio. The assessment is based upon the portfolio. Design principles like rhythm are demonstrated.
Curated OER
Interior Design Final Project
High schoolers are introduced to the requirements for their final interior design project. In groups, they compare and contrast the characteristics of floor plans to the needs of families living in the houses. Individually, they design...
Curated OER
Plaster Sculpture – subtractive method
Practice the subtractive sculpture process with your class. They'll discuss the subtractive method, art form and space, then design a sculpture which they will create from a block of plaster. Technical instructions are included.
Curated OER
Color - Interior Design
Students review the principle elements of design along with the sequence of colors on the color wheel. In groups, they assign a feeling or mood to each color and share it with the class. To end the lesson, they use the internet to...
Curated OER
Principles Video
Students analyze the video 'Design: The Principles' as an introduction to the principles of design unit. They identify, explain and use the basic principles of design and discover that the principles of design are the "rules" or...
Curated OER
Creating a Pot: Repetition as a Unifying Design Element
Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.
Curated OER
Symmetrical Design: Pennsylvania Barn Signs
Second graders explain and apply the visual arts elements and the design principle of symmetry and apply media, techniques, and processes. In addition, they describe how different materials, techniques, and processes cause different...