Artists and the Mouse

Technology has changed the way we communicate with one another, whether by video, voice, e-mail, digital camera, internet, writing or making art. Today there are more options open to us as teachers, students and artists. We can go the traditional route (drawing) or we can use new techniques, like computer software experimentation and still be creative artists.

Henri Matisse would have been amazed at how his artwork could be imitated using the computer and software. In this art lesson will you learn about Matisse and his style of painting.

The Task

Process and Resources

This will be an independent art project. You will use scheduled class time and Computer Lab time to complete this project over a period of two weeks. You are expected to keep a journal on this activity and record your responses to your work.

NY State Standards Addressed

The following standards will have been met with the successful completion of this project:

Standard 1 - Students will make works of art that explore different kinds of subject matter, topics, themes, and metaphors. Students will understand and use sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive images to communicate their own ideas in works of art. Students will use a variety of art materials, processes, mediums, and techniques, and use appropriate technologies for creating and exhibiting visual art works.

Standard 2 - Students will know and use a variety of visual arts materials, techniques, and processes. Students will know about resources and opportunities for participation in visual arts in the community and use appropriate materials. Students will be aware of vocational options available in the visual arts.

Standard 3 - Students will reflect on, interpret, and evaluate works of art, using the themes, and concepts are expressed through the visual arts with the ways they are expressed in other disciplines.

This lesson was designed to link a traditional method of making art (collage) to computer generated graphics. The lesson can be expanded to incorporate the arts professions (graphic design, packaging design, computer design, etc.)

Students should understand the difference between geometric and organic shapes. Students should be able to create these shapes, and understand how to balance, their compositions through unity, rhythm and color. Students should be familiar with collage.

Art Criticism

Art Criticism is the last step in Part III. The special five step system of art criticism will help you find the hidden messages in art. By taking these steps you will be able to answer the following questions. The five steps, which must be taken in order are:

First you will collect facts and clues. Then you will make guesses. You will decide what you think the artist is trying to say. Finally, you will make connections between the work of art and your own ideas and beliefs related to the artwork.

Evaluation

Evaluation Rubric
	MASTER = 5 pts	VETERAN = 3 pts	APPRENTICE = 2 pts
Use of Materials	I understood what my "drawing" task was. I used materials responsibly. I shared information with others.	I understood what my drawing task was. I used the materials responsibly and kept them organized. I shared with others.	I made a "drawing" that did not complete the task. I was not organized and did not share information.
Creativity	I tried to make a unique drawing that expressed my ideas using the artists' style. I tried to create many different kinds of lines and textures, as appropriate. I drew large and filled the paper, as appropriate.	I tried to create many different kinds of lines and textures, and filled the page as appropriate	I created some different kinds of lines. I drew too small and did not fill the page as appropriate.
Thinking and Planning	I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do. I thought about what my art would mean to others. I drew lightly so that making changes would be easy. I used the Paintbrush software to create a reproduction of the artist's work independently and successfully.	I spent some time thinking about what I wanted to do. I drew lightly so making changes would be easy. I was able to recreate the artist's work with the assistance of the teacher and/or student/s.	I drew too dark so that making changes was difficult. I experienced difficulties in recreating the artist's work in Paintbrush and did now ask for assistance.
Cleaning Up	I put my materials away carefully. I cleaned my table and helped others with their clean-up.	I put my materials away carefully.	I did not clean up on time.

Conclusion

You will gain knowledge of a famous artist and their choice of medium and be introduced to shape, color, scale, overlapping, balance, rhythm, movement and symbols. You will learn to reflect upon their work, the process and evaluate other students' work in a positive and analytical way.

When evaluating art work, you are playing detective. You must assume the artist has a secret message hidden inside the work. Your job is to solve the mystery and find the message. You will learn the five-step system of Art Criticism (click here).