Lesson Plan 15: Looking Abstractly

Lauren Henriksen

November 12, 2009

Lesson Plan 15: Looking Abstractly

Whom: Lauren Henriksen

Location: Tuerk House

Materials Needed: paper, pencils, watercolors, pastels

Time Line:

11:00- Introduction of myself , and a quick history of abstract art, what it is, and why we make it.

11:10- Start demo of how to abstract forms.

11:15- Students start/finish drawings

11:40: Wrap up the project

11:50- Lay out all of the drawings and critique.

11:58- Announce homework assignment

12:00- Clean and dismiss

Project Outline: Last week one student suggested that we make abstract art for a change. I figured this would be a nice change of pace since the last three weeks of life drawing. I will start out with a quick discussion of the history of abstract art, what it is, and why artists make it. Then I will encourage them to draw a prepared still life in simple shapes and a variation of one color.

Conclusion: I think that the work produced by the students today was some of the strongest work I have ever seen from any of my students. I was just about blown away at how incredibly successful they were with this style of working. The range of abstractions and representations was so vast in my class of seven students today. They absolutely loved the freedom of abstracting the still life however they wanted. There were no expectations, just simple guidelines of shape and color. The conversation and critique of the work afterwards was the most insightful one we have ever had at the Tuerk House. The students really gave wonderful feedback about how the other students created their forms, and how successful it was at relating certain emotions of images. We talked for about 15 minutes after class about the artwork before us. I was so impressed. It’s so wonderful to work with adults who can analyze themes and creations in such an insightful way. It’s really inspiring.