Art Trading Cards Lesson Plans

 

Artist Trading Cards

Grades: 6-8

Estimated Time: 1-90 min class period

Materials: watercolors, colored pencils, watercolor paper, rulers, pencils, brushes, items for texture rubbings, hole puncher, scissors, paper, cardboard, oil pastels, chalk

Objective: To create 4 artist trading cards that can be trading with other classmates to have personal unique pieces of art or with other classes. Students will:

• Explore creative processes for observing and defining organic shapes
• Compare individual perceptions of objects and concepts
• Participate in class discussions related to emotional responses to visual images
• Use critical thinking skills to support observations
• Create an artist trading card (ATC) using painting and drawing techniques
• Engage interactively with other students by sharing artwork and opinions

Differentiation: Stations will include texture rubbings, patterns with colored pencils, positive/negative shapes, watercolors, stamping

8^th grade stations: texture, cool/warm colors, positive, negative shapes

7^th grade stations: pattern, radial symmetry, asymmetrical

6^th grade stations: watercolors, collage, oil pastels, chalk

 

Successful Works include:

-4 drawings, 4 mounted on cardboard 2.5×3.5, smooth edges, fine craftsmanship

Vocabulary: craftsmanship, texture, pattern, cool colors, warm colors, positive and negative shapes, symmetry

 

	Fine Arts NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, And Processes NA-VA.9-12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas NA-VA.9-12.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others NA-VA.9-12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines  Procedure:   1.      1.  Cut paper exactly 2.5x 3.5 inches. Cut out 4 of these. If using watercolors, use a wide soft brush and/or a fine mist spray bottle to evenly saturate a sheet of watercolor paper with water. Quickly add dabs and squiggles of various colors of watercolor paint to the moistened paper. Leave approximately 10-20% of the surface white as you place irregular blotches of color on the paper. Lift the paper and tilt at various angles to allow the paint to move and meld with other colors without becoming too muddy. Allow paper to dry. Once dry, the paper can be placed under a flat heavy object for a few hours to flatten if needed. 2. Cut paper into rectangles EXACTLY 2.5 by 3.5 inches. Each rectangle will have a random section of colorful shapes which are similar to the irregular (or “organic”) shapes. After viewing the card from different perspectives, students should use a fine tip pen or marker to draw a contour outline the shapes they recognize as familiar objects. Additional features, such as eyes on a face or patterns on a dress, may be incorporated to add interest and texture. 3. Other art mediums, such as glitter or crayon/colored pencil enhancement may be added if desired. Incorporating a word or two in the form of handwritten text, letters torn from a newspaper or rubber stamps may also add visual and emotional appeal. 4. Apply a full, even coat of glue to the backside of the watercolor paper and adhere to a piece of cardboard or other sturdy backing. Decorate the backside of the trading card with a simple design as well as factual information such as the title of the artwork, name of the artist and date. 5. (Optional) To protect the card surface, apply a coat of gloss or matte clear acrylic finish.  Links: http://studentatc.com/ http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70DvibsRlGs  The History of Art Trading Cards