This lesson plan contains the Texas TEKS for Elementary, Middle, and High School art teachers. Students will learn about color harmonies and Lance Letscher’s stylistic approach to making collages. Then, the students will create an abstract paper collage that expresses a type of color harmony.
If you use or reference this lesson plan, please leave a comment with your feedback. The lesson plan can be downloaded in the link below.
Lance Letscher, Red Line, 2005, found paper collage on masonite, 34.8 inches X 22.5 inches, Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, Texas.
Culture: American
Subject: Fines Arts, Art History
Collection: Tyler Museum of Art Permanent Collection
Grades: Elementary School, Middle School and High School
Topics: Artistic Practices, Art History, Critical Thinking
Art Vocabulary
Activity Vocabulary:
Lance Letscher:
- Lance Letscher is an American artist who makes vibrant and unique collages. He incorporates pieces of newspaper articles, book and album covers, three-dimensional found objects, and other paper clippings to create unique compositions. He arranges the compiled pieces into harmonic collages that engage movement, color harmonies, and rhythmic patterns. He is an internationally known artist. His work was catalogued by the University of Texas Press in a book titled Collage.
Abstract Art:
- An abstract composition uses a variety of shapes, lines, colors, and patterns to create a mood, an expression of a concept, or a unique view of something from nature.
Collage:
- Collages can be three-dimensional sculptures or paper works.
- The paper collages are made with photographs, hand-written notes, newspaper articles, and magazine images. The components are glued or sewn together to create a large paper artwork.
- The sculptures use paper and other three-dimensional media to make abstract forms.
Writing Samples:
- Writing samples are excerpts, newspaper articles, or lines from published works that are used out of context in a college.
- The implementation of the writing sample creates a poetic connection between the colorful imagery and the included words.
Copyright:
- Copyright protects the intellectual property of an artist, author, teacher, or any other professional.
- For more details about copyright, here is a helpful website PDF:
Color Wheel:
- The color wheel contains the twelve colors that are visible to the human eye:
- Red
- Red-Orange
- Orange
- Yellow-Orange
- Yellow
- Yellow-Green
- Green
- Blue-Green
- Blue
- Blue-Violet
- Violet
- Red-Violet
Primary Colors:
- The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. They are the three main colors that, when blended together, created different colors.
Secondary Colors:
- Secondary colors are created when two primary colors are mixed together. The following mixtures create secondary colors:
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Violet
- Red + Yellow = Orange
Tertiary Colors:
- Tertiary colors are created when a primary color is mixed with a secondary color. The following mixtures create tertiary colors:
- Red + Orange = Red-Orange
- Red + Violet = Red-Violet
- Yellow + Orange = Yellow-Orange
- Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green
- Blue + Green = Blue-Green
- Blue + Violet = Blue-Violet
Monochromatic Colors:
- Monochromatic colors create a color scheme comprised of one hue that fades from dark to light colors.
- A monochromatic composition can be created in grayscale. This process requires the artist to begin with the hue of gray. Then, they add white or black to gray to create a spectrum of hues.
Analogous Colors:
- Analogous colors are hues that sit next to each other on the color wheel and share a common color.
- Analogous Colors that share Red:
- Blue-Violet
- Violet
- Red-Violet
- Red
- Red-Orange
- Orange
- Yellow-Orange
- Analogous Colors that share Blue:
- Red-Violet
- Violet
- Blue-Violet
- Blue
- Blue-Green
- Green
- Yellow-Green
- Analogous Colors that share Yellow:
- Red-Orange
- Orange
- Yellow-Orange
- Yellow
- Yellow-Green
- Green
- Blue-Green
- Analogous Colors that share Red:
Warm Colors:
- Warm colors have a bright and warm tonality:
- Red-Violet
- Red
- Red-Orange
- Orange
- Yellow-Orange
- Yellow
Cool Colors:
- Cool Colors have a cool and soft tonality:
- Yellow-Green
- Green
- Blue-Green
- Blue
- Blue-Violet
- Violet
Hue:
- A hue is an alternative name for a color.
Value:
- Value is a spectrum applied to a hue. The color can have a dark value or a light hue. This process of changing the value is caused by adding white for light hues and black for dark hues.
Tint:
- A tint is a light value of a hue.
Shade:
- A shade is a dark value of a hue.
Intensity:
- Intensity describe the saturation or the dullness of the color. If the hue is saturated, the color is bright and vibrant. If the hue is dull, the hue has a gray tonality.
Elements of Design:
- Artists use the elements of design to create the foundation of the artwork. The elements of art include: line, shape, form, space, color, and texture.
Line:
- An element of design; line is created on a surface with a pointed moving tool. Lines can range in size, width, texture, and presentation. Common types of line are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zig-zag, and curved.
Shape:
- An element of design; shape is a two-dimensional enclosed space that represents either an organic shape or a geometric shape. Geometric shapes include squares, circles, rectangles, triangles and other standard geometric shapes. Organic shapes include natural non-geometric shapes that are developed from curvilinear lines.
Form:
- An element of design; form is a three-dimensional enclosed space that represents organic and geometric shapes in a third space. Geometric forms include cubes, spheres, triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, and cones. Organic shapes include three-dimensional forms observed in nature, such as trees, rivers, and rocks.
Space:
- An element of design; this term defines the surface area between, before, and behind an object in a composition.
Color:
- An element of design; this term defines the pigments used in a painting. Color can be organized into categories, such as: hues, values, complements, and intensity.
Texture:
- An element of design; this term defines an artwork’s surface. The artist’s use of the chosen medium creates either implied or actual texture.
Principles of Design:
- Artists used principles of design to build upon the foundational elements of design. This includes the following: rhythm, movement, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity.
Rhythm/ Pattern:
- A principle of design; this term defines the repetitive imagery and elements of design found in a composition.
Movement:
- A principle of design; this term defines the visual movement observed in a painting. This can be identified as kinetic movement or implied movement. Additionally, movement can be defined as how the viewer’s eye moves throughout the composition.
Balance:
- A principle of design; this term defines the arrangement of the presented imagery with the elements of design. It refers to either asymmetrical compositions or symmetrical compositions.
Proportion:
- A principle of design; this term defines the comparative size between objects in the composition. It can refer to the imagery within a painting or the size between a sculpture and a real object.
Variety:
- A principle of design; this term defines the combination of imagery, objects, and ideas in an artwork.
Emphasis:
- A principle of design; this term defines the most prominent area in a composition. The viewer’s eye is drawn to this point because the artist used a mixture of the elements and principles of design.
Unity:
- A principle of design; this term defines how the elements and principles of design are combined within a composition.
Bibliography: Resources for the Vocabulary and Lesson Plan
“Art Term: Collage.” Tate Modern. Updated January 2022. Accessed January 6, 2022. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/collage.
Batt, Carron. “Lance Letscher.” Conduit Gallery. Updated January 2022. Accessed January 6, 2022. https://www.conduitgallery.com/artists/lance-letscher.
Harris, Stephanie. “Lance Letscher: Red Line.” Tyler Museum of Art. Updated 2021. Accessed January 6, 2022. https://tylermuseum.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/54478BD3-78AF-4F66-AA7C-627075013517.
“Lance Letscher.” Tayloe Piggot Gallery. Updated 2020. Accessed January 6, 2022. https://www.tayloepiggottgallery.com/artists/48-lance-letscher/biography/.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.102: Art, Kindergarten, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=102.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.105: Art, Grade 1, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=105.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.108: Art, Grade 2, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=108.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.111: Art, Grade 3, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=111.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.114: Art, Grade 4, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=114.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.117: Art, Grade 5, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=117.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.202: Art, Middle School 1, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=202.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.203: Art, Middle School 2, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=203.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.204: Art, Middle School 3, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=204.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.302: Art, Level I, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=302.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.303: Art, Level II, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=303.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.304: Art, Level III, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=304.
Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.305: Art, Level IV, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=305.
Ragan, Rosalins. “Elements of Art.” In Art Talk, 61 – 211. Edited by Bennett and McKnight Division. San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988.
Ragan, Rosalins. “The Principles of Design.” In Art Talk, 211 – 347. Edited by Bennett and McKnight Division. San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988.
Weber, Amy. “Lance Letscher.” Tai Modern Gallery. Updated 2021, Accessed January 6, 2022. https://taimodern.com/artist-landing.php/?artistId=130918&artist=Lance%20Letscher.
Zoubok, Pavel and Nuzzi, Kris. “Lance Letscher.” Pavel Zoubok Fine Art Gallery. Updated January 2022. Accessed January 6, 2022, http://pavelzoubok.com/artist/lance-letscher/.
Elementary Lesson Plans
Goals:
Elementary School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:
- Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
- Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
- Create a collage using magazines, newspapers, and construction paper;
- The collage will express a type of color harmony;
- And, the students will make an artist statement about their collage.
Texas Elementary School TEKS:
Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
Kindergarten:
- §117.102.b.1.B
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, and form, and the principles of design, including repetition/pattern and balance, in the environment.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.102.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- create artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
- arrange components intuitively to create artworks;
- use a variety of materials to develop manipulative skills while engaging in opportunities for exploration through drawing, painting, printmaking, constructing artworks, and sculpting, including modeled forms.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.102.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- identify simple subjects expressed in artworks;
- share ideas about personal experiences such as family and friends and develop awareness and sensitivity to differing experiences and opinions through artwork;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.102.b.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- express ideas about personal artworks or portfolios;
- express ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
First Grade:
- §117.105.b.1.B
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, and form, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, and balance, in nature and human-made environments.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.105.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- invent images that combine a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
- place components in orderly arrangements to create designs;
- increase manipulative skills necessary for using a variety of materials to produce drawings, paintings, prints, constructions, and sculptures, including modeled forms.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.105.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- identify simple ideas expressed in artworks through different media;
- demonstrate an understanding that art is created globally by all people throughout time;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.105.b.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- explain ideas about personal artworks;
- identify ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers.
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Second Grade:
- §117.108.b.1.A / B
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- compare and contrast variations in objects and subjects from the environment using the senses;
- identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, and space, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, and balance.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.108.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- express ideas and feelings in personal artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, forms, and space;
- create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
- identify and practice skills necessary for producing drawings, paintings, prints, constructions, and sculpture, including modeled forms, using a variety of materials.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.108.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- interpret stories, content, and meanings in a variety of artworks;
- examine historical and contemporary artworks created by men and women, making connections to various cultures;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.108.b.4. A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- support reasons for preferences in personal artworks;
- compare and contrast ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Third Grade:
- §117.111.b.1.B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity;
- discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.111.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression
- integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
- create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
- produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, mixed media, installation art, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of materials.
- Creative Expression
- §117.111.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- identify simple main ideas expressed in artworks from various times and places;
- compare and contrast artworks created by historical and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.111.b.4. A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response
- evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, and historical and contemporary artists;
- use methods such as oral response or artist statements to identify main ideas found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;
- Critical Evaluation and Response
Fourth Grade:
- §117.114.b.1.B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity;
- discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.114.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
- create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design; and
- produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, mixed media, installation art, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of art media and materials.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.114.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- compare content in artworks for various purposes such as the role art plays in reflecting life, expressing emotions, telling stories, or documenting history and traditions;
- compare purpose and content in artworks created by historical and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.114.b.4. A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response
- evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, intent, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, and historical and contemporary artists.
- use methods such as written or oral response or artist statements to identify emotions found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;
- Critical Evaluation and Response
Fifth Grade:
- §117.117.b.1.B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity; and
- discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.117.b.2. A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
- create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
- produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of materials.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.117.b.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- compare the purpose and effectiveness of artworks from various times and places, evaluating the artist’s use of media and techniques, expression of emotions, or use of symbols;
- compare the purpose and effectiveness of artworks created by historic and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.117.b.4. A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response
- evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, general intent, media and techniques, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, or historical and contemporary artists;
- use methods such as written or oral response or artist statements to identify themes found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;
- Critical Evaluation and Response
Elementary Art Activity
Questions for Elementary School Students:
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
- What is a collage?
- How do you make a collage?
- What is abstract art?
- What are the primary colors?
- What are the complementary colors?
- What are secondary colors?
- What is an artist statement?
Activity: Elementary School Fine Arts
- Activity Setting: Classroom
- Materials: Construction Paper, Magazines, Newspapers, Glue, Markers
- Subject: Collage, Color Harmonies
- Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
- Duration: Extended Project
Study Lance Letscher’s artwork Red Line. Then, students will create a collage that exhibits a complementary of color harmony, primary color harmony, or a secondary color harmony.
Students can bring magazines and newspapers to the class to cut out colors, text, and images for their collages. They can also cut out shapes and designs from construction paper.
The collected colors, shapes, and texts will be glued to a color piece of background paper in an abstract manner. Teachers can help students arrange the shapes if needed.
The final artworks will exhibit an abstract collage. This project is paired with the artist statement below.
Activity: Elementary School Art History
- Activity Setting: Classroom
- Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
- Subject: Research, Artwork Analysis
- Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
- Duration: Artist Statement – Extended Project
Once the collage is completed, the students will write a brief artist statement.
They will explain what color harmony they used and where it is located. Then, the students will define why they chose the shapes, colors, and text in their collage.
Their explanation can include the principles and elements of design.
The artist statement can be presented to the class or attached to the collage exhibited in the hallway or classroom.
Middle School Lesson Plans
Goals:
Middle School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:
- Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
- Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
- Create a collage using magazines, newspapers, and construction paper;
- The collage will express a type of color harmony;
- Students will learn about copyright and how to use magazine and newspaper clippings in compliance with copyright laws.
- And, the students will make an artist statement about their collage.
Texas Middle School TEKS:
Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
Art 1:
- §117.202.c.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- understand and apply the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately;
- understand and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately;
- discuss the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.202.c.1.A / B / C
- Creative Expression:
- create original artworks based on direct observations, original sources, personal experiences, and the community;
- apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
- produce artworks, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media, using a variety of materials.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.202.c.3. A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- identify the influence of historical and political events in artworks;
- identify examples of art that convey universal themes such as beliefs, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.202.c.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response
- create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary;
- analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- Critical Evaluation and Response
Art 2:
- §117.203.b.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
- compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
- understand and apply the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.203.b.1.A / B / C / D
- Creative Expression:
- create original artworks that express a variety of ideas based on direct observations, original sources, and personal experiences, including memory, identity, imagination, and the community;
- apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
- apply technical skills effectively using a variety of materials to produce artworks, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery when working from sources rather than direct observation or imagination.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.203.b.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- analyze ways that global, cultural, historical, and political issues influence artworks;
- analyze selected artworks to determine contemporary relevance in relationship to universal themes such as belief, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.203.b.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- create written or oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;
- analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Art 3:
- §117.203.b.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- evaluate the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
- evaluate the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
- compare and contrast the expressive properties of artworks, including appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol, using vocabulary accurately.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.203.b.1.A / B / C / D
- Creative Expression:
- create original artworks expressing themes found through direct observation; original sources; personal experiences, including memory, identity, and imagination; and the community;
- apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
- create artworks by selecting appropriate art materials, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery when working from sources rather than direct observation or imagination;
- Creative Expression:
- §117.203.b.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- analyze ways in which global, contemporary, historical, and political issues have influenced art;
- analyze cultural ideas expressed in artworks relating to social, political, and environmental themes such as environment/nature, conflict and power, relationships to others, and reality/fantasy;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.203.b.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- create written and oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;
- analyze original artworks and portfolios using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Middle School Art Activities
Questions for Middle School Students:
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
- What is a collage?
- How do you make a collage?
- What is abstract art?
- What are the primary colors?
- What are the complementary colors?
- What are secondary colors?
- What are tertiary colors?
- What is an artist statement?
- What is copyright? How does it work in the artworld?
Activity: Middle School Fine Arts
- Activity Setting: Classroom
- Materials: Construction Paper, Magazines, Newspapers, Glue, Markers
- Subject: Collage, Color Harmonies
- Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
- Duration: Extended Project
Study Lance Letscher’s artwork Red Line. Then, students will create a collage that exhibits a complementary of color harmony, primary color harmony, or a secondary color harmony.
Students can bring magazines and newspapers to the class to cut out colors, text, and images for their collages. They can also cut out shapes and designs from construction paper.
The collected colors, shapes, and texts will be glued to a color piece of background paper in an abstract manner. Teachers can help students arrange the shapes if needed.
The final artworks will exhibit an abstract collage. This project is paired with the artist statement below.
Activity: Middle School Art History
- Activity Setting: Classroom
- Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
- Subject: Research, Artwork Analysis
- Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
- Duration: Duration: Artist Statement – Extended Project
Once the collage is completed, the students will write a brief artist statement.
They will explain what color harmony they used and where it is located. Then, the students will define why they chose the shapes, colors, and text in their collage.
Their explanation can include the principles and elements of design.
The artist statement can be presented to the class or attached to the collage exhibited in the hallway or classroom.
High School Lesson Plans
Goals:
High School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:
- Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
- Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
- Create a collage using magazines, newspapers, and construction paper;
- The collage will express a type of color harmony;
- Students will learn about copyright and how to use magazine and newspaper clippings in compliance with copyright laws.
- And, the students will make an artist statement about their collage.
Texas High School TEKS:
Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
Level I:
- §117.302.c.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- identify and understand the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
- identify and understand the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
- make judgments about the expressive properties such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor of artwork using art vocabulary accurately.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.302.c.2.A / C / D / F
- Creative Expression:
- use visual solutions to create original artwork by problem solving through direct observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or imagination;
- create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
- demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.302.c.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance
- compare and contrast historical and contemporary styles while identifying general themes and trends;
- describe general characteristics in artwork from a variety of cultures, which might also include personal identity and heritage;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance
- §117.302.c.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response
- interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork by self, peers, and other artists such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites;
- evaluate and analyze artwork using a verbal or written method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- Critical Evaluation and Response
Level II:
- §117.303.c.1. B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- identify and apply the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks;
- identify and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity in personal artworks;
- explore suitability of art media and processes to express specific ideas such as content, meaning, message, appropriation, and metaphor relating to visual themes of artworks using art vocabulary accurately.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.303.c.2.A / C / D / F
- Creative Expression:
- create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or imagination;
- create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
- select from a variety of art media and tools to communicate specific ideas in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, mixed media, photography, and digital art and media.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.303.c.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- examine selected historical periods or styles of art to identify general themes and trends;
- analyze specific characteristics in artwork from a variety of cultures;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.303.c.4.A / B
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork by self, peers, and other artists such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites;
- evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Level III:
- §117.304.c.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
- compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
- explore the suitability of art media and processes and select those appropriate to express specific ideas such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor relating to visual themes to interpret the expressive qualities of artwork.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.304.c.2.A / C / D / F
- Creative Expression:
- create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or imagination;
- create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
- select from a variety of art media and tools to express intent in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, digital art and media, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.304.c.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- research selected historical periods, artists, general themes, trends, and styles of art;
- distinguish the correlation between specific characteristics and influences of various cultures and contemporary artwork;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.304.c.4.A / B / C / D
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites based on evaluation of developmental progress, competency in problem solving, and a variety of visual ideas;
- evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- analyze personal artwork in order to create a written response such as an artist’s statement reflecting intent, inspiration, the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork, and measure of uniqueness;
- use responses to artwork critiques to make decisions about future directions in personal work;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
Level IV:
- §117.305.c.1.B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
- compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
- discriminate between art media and processes to express complex visual relationships such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor using extensive art vocabulary.
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
- §117.305.c.2.A / C / D / F
- Creative Expression:
- produce an original body of artwork that integrates information from a variety of sources, including original sources, and demonstrates sustained self-directed investigations into specific themes such as a series or concentration of works;
- use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or imagination;
- create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
- create artwork, singularly and in a series, by selecting from a variety of art materials and tools appropriate to course work in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, digital art and media, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
- Creative Expression:
- §117.305.c.3.A / B
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- research and report on selected historical periods, artists, general themes, trends, and styles of art;
- analyze and evaluate the influence of contemporary cultures on artwork;
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
- §117.305.c.4.A / B / C / D
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
- develop evaluative criteria to justify artistic decisions in artwork such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites based on a high level of creativity and expertise in one or more art areas;
- evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
- analyze personal artwork in order to create a written response such as an artist’s statement reflecting intent, inspiration, the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork, and the measure of uniqueness;
- use responses to artwork critiques to make decisions about future directions in personal work;
- Critical Evaluation and Response:
High School Art Activities
Questions for High School Students:
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
- Examine Lance Letscher’s Red Line. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
- What is a collage?
- How do you make a collage?
- What is abstract art?
- What are the primary colors?
- What are the complementary colors?
- What are secondary colors?
- What are tertiary colors?
- What is an artist statement?
- What is copyright? How does it work in the artworld?
Activity: High School Fine Arts
- Activity Setting: Classroom and/or outdoor location
- Materials: Construction Paper, Magazines, Newspapers, Glue, Markers
- Subject: Collage, Color Harmonies
- Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
- Duration: Single Day Project or an Extended Project
Study Lance Letscher’s artwork Red Line. Then, students will create a collage that exhibits a complementary of color harmony, primary color harmony, or a secondary color harmony.
Students can bring magazines and newspapers to the class to cut out colors, text, and images for their collages. They can also cut out shapes and designs from construction paper.
The collected colors, shapes, and texts will be glued to a color piece of background paper in an abstract manner. Teachers can help students arrange the shapes if needed.
The final artworks will exhibit an abstract collage. This project is paired with the artist statement below.
Activity: High School Art History
- Activity Setting: Classroom
- Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
- Subject: Research, Artwork Analysis
- Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
- Duration: Duration: Artist Statement – Extended Project
Once the collage is completed, the students will write a brief artist statement.
They will explain what color harmony they used and where it is located. Then, the students will define why they chose the shapes, colors, and text in their collage.
Their explanation can include the principles and elements of design.
The artist statement can be presented to the class or attached to the collage exhibited in the hallway or classroom.
You will be able see this artwork in-person in the Tyler Museum of Art’s exhibition Building a Legacy III: Selections from the Permanent Collection. The exhibit celebrates the museum’s 50th anniversary and will display various art movements, styles, and mediums. The show will open on February 13, 2022 and will close on May 1, 2022.
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