Halloween Still Life

Minnesota 6-8 Visual Art Standards
Used in this Lesson

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
  • 1A. Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1b. Analyze how the principles of visual art, such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are used in the creation, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1c. Describe characteristics of Western and non- Western styles, movements and genres in art.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
  • 2a. Demonstrate the characteristics of the tools, materials and techniques of various two-and-three- dimensional media for intentional effects in original artworks.

  • 3. Demonstrate understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts that influence the arts areas.
  • 3a. Compare and contrast the connections among visual artworks, their purposes, and their personal, social, cultural and historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 3b. Analyze the meanings and functions of visual art.
  • 4. Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 4a. Create original two- and-three-dimensional artworks in a variety of artistic contexts.
  • 4b. Revise artworks based on the feedback of others and self-reflection and artistic intent.
  • 4c. Develop an artistic statement, including how audience and occasion influence creative choices.
  • 5. Perform or present in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 5a. Assemble and prepare personal artworks for public exhibition.
  • 5b.Revise a presentation based on the feedback of others, self-reflection and artistic intent.
  • 5c. Develop an artistic intent, including how audience and occasion impact presentation choices.
  • 6. Respond to or critique a variety of creations or performances using the artistic foundations.
  • 6a. Analyze and interpret a variety of visual artworks using established criteria.

    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Intersecting lines
  • Shading
  • Human Anatomy
    • Students are given a quick lesson on drawing from life. The teacher draws on the board, illustrating how students should look for intersecting lines in/on/between the objects. Emphasis is put on quickly sketching the general shapes first, then defining the shapes and shading according to color and light and dark.

    Sometimes short gesture or contour line drawing studies are done in preparation for the real drawing.

    Students are then given time to draw the still life objects on their tables.

    Students may choose to draw with chalk and charcoal or oil pastel on gray or black paper. Or they may use normal pencils on white paper.

    Evaluation:
    4 points -- Accurate Proportions
    3 points -- Shading to indicate highlight, shadow
    3 points -- Contrast. (Bright whites, dark blacks and gray tones)

    10 points total.







    Example of 30 second still life sketch worked up into a more finished version below:




    Still life photo Reference