Moonlit Landscapes

Using Chalk to Create Value and Texture in a Moonlit Landscape

Grade Level: All

Resources:

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner

Materials:

Chalk, pencil, dark blue or black paper

Skill Practice:

Blending, shading, & placing objects in a landscape to create the depth & texture.

Visual Arts Standards: 4 5-8 B

Vocabulary: Tints, shades, shadows, horizon line, directional lines, perspective, threedimensional, form, & proportion.

READINESS:

Set:

Teacher will show examples of art works that emphasize the skills or theme to be introduced through the use of a variety of resources.

Objective:

Students will create an art work using the skills and theme emphasized in the lesson, relate the art history example to their projects, discuss the elements and principles of design during the studio and positive critique time, and use the art materials and tools appropriately with safety and respect.

INFORMATION:

Teacher Input:

After using the resources, as a guide to introduce the art history and theme, the teacher will ask students inductive questions about the works shown and relate the questions to the students everyday experiences and the project to be completed.

Modeling:

Teacher will show an example of the project and demonstrate the process, practicing how to use appropriate art vocabulary. Also, the teacher will be using the student direction sheet/“Helpful Hints” guide and asking students to read along.

Guided Practice:

Students will be asked to repeat the steps of the project verbally as teacher and/or a student volunteer goes through the process. Also, written directions will be handed-out for the students as a “Helpful Hints” guide.

ASSESSMENT:

Checking for Understanding:

While the students are working on the project the teacher and/or students will praise all the students

who are showing effort to follow the directions & procedures and gently guide those who need to be

reminded of the steps.

Closure:

Students will be encouraged to make positive comments about other students artworks using the

elements & principles of design vocabulary.

Independent Practice:

Students will complete the project and may use the spare time (until the rest of the students complete the project) to create another artwork practicing the same skills.

A Snowy Moonlit Landscape

Draw with pencil, on a horizontal piece of blue paper, including the following:

• One horizon line that tells the viewers if your drawing is in a city, the Mountains, the suburbs, the countryside, or somewhere else.

• One moon, place in one of the top corners of your paper.

• One path that shows distance… getting smaller as it gets closer to the horizon line.

• One “dwelling place” where someone or something lives.

• Three plants & three animals that live in the snow… and placed in different locations… getting smaller as they get closer to the horizon line.

• Three snow sculptures, getting smaller as they get closer to the horizon line, showing emotion, wearing fun clothing, and including any of the following: snowmen, snow-ladies, snow-kids, snow-critters.

After completing the pencil drawing, discuss if you need any revisions or improvements on your artwork, before you color it in with chalk using…

• a variety of patterns on the clothing

• showing tints of color, where the moonlight is shinning on the forms

• showing shades of color, where shadows are formed… from a lack of moonlight.

• directional lines to create the illusion of 3-D forms and visual texture.

Finally sign your signature on the front, bottom right hand corner.