Lesson Plan: Valton Tyler, “Freezing Point”

This lesson plan contains the Texas TEKS for Elementary, Middle, and High School art teachers. Students will learn about the unique art style found in Valton Tyler’s etching Freezing Point as well as the shading method of cross hatching. Afterwards, the students will create an ink drawing that mixes architecture with natural imagery.

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.

tma-lesson-plan-valton-tyler-freezing-point-rachel-anthony Download

https://tylermuseum.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/4AF13F06-17E1-4ED9-8669-024207255511

Valton Tyler, Freezing Point, 1971, etching on paper, 23 inches X 34.5 inches, Tyler Museum of Art.

Culture: American

Subject: Fine Art, Art History

Collection: Tyler Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection

Grades: Elementary School, Middle School and High School

Topics: Artistic Practices, Art History, Critical Thinking, and Architecture

Art Vocabulary

Activity Vocabulary:

Valton Tyler:

Valton Tyler was a self-taught artist born in Texas City, Texas, who focused on recurring surreal and mechanical imagery. He was born in 1944 and died in 2017. He began pursuing art as a high schooler. Tyler’s art was always deemed as peculiar because of the organic, science fiction shapes which compose his works. Tyler educated himself at the public library in the styles of Renaissance masters, reading about the different methods and manners of art. The influence of Baroque and Renaissance movements can be observed in the grandiose movement found in the figures he creates, whether in oil paintings or etching prints. Many of his works are developed from his imagination, by combining architecture, figures, animals, and impossible shapes together to create a unique composition of color, contrast, form, and movement.

Etching:

A popular style of printmaking is a method known as etching. The process requires the artist to cover a metal plate in a wax or asphaltum and “draw” onto the plate by removing the melted covering with a pen tool. Then, the metal plate is placed in a chemical acid bath to burn the “drawn” imagery into the plate. Then, the artist will roll ink on treated plate, place a piece of paper on top, and roll it through a printing press. The result is an etching print.

Cross Hatching Marks:

Cross Hatching is a type of shading process. First, lines are drawn in a parallel diagonal manner. Then, diagonal lines pointing in a opposite direction are drawn on top of the first set of lines. When the lines are close together, it creates dark shading. Likewise, when the lines are spaced out, it is lighter shading because it shows the paper under the lines.

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 Vocabulary and Lesson Plan

“Art term: Etching.” Tamer Modern. Updated 2021. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/e/etching.

“Biography: Valton Tyler.” Valley House Gallery and Sculpture Garden. Updated 2019. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://www.valleyhouse.com/bio.asp?artistid=63.

Gomez, Edward M. “Here, The Film ‘Valton Tyler: Flesh Is Fiction’ Finds a Home.” Brutjournal. Accessed January 17, 2022. https://brutjournal.com/article/here-the-film-valton-tyles-flesh-is-fiction-finds-a-home/.

“Invented Worlds of Valton Tyler.” Amon carter Museum of American Art. Updated April 30, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2022. https://www.cartermuseum.org/exhibitions/invented-worlds-valton-tyler.

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.

Sinak, Alexandria. “Getty Presents Hatched! Creating Form with Line.” Getty Conservation Research Foundation Museum. Updated February 6, 2014. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://www.getty.edu/news/hatched-line/.

“Valton Tyler.” Webb Art Gallery. Accessed January 17, 2022. http://www.webbartgallery.com/valton-tyler.

Elementary School 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 an ink drawing of architecture that combines buildings with plant, animals, nature, or other teacher-approved concepts together;
Use cross hatching appropriately in their architecture composition to show shading;
And, compare and contrast their architecture drawing to Valton Tyler’s etching Freezing Point.

Texas Elementary School TEKS:

Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade

Kindergarten:

§117.102.b.1. A / B
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - gather information from subjects in the environment using the senses;
  - 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.
§117.102.b.2. A / B
- Creative Expression:
  - create artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
  - arrange components intuitively to create artworks;
§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;

§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;

First Grade:

§117.105.b.1. A / B
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - identify similarities, differences, and variations among subjects in the environment using the senses;
  - 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.
§117.105.b.2. A / B
- Creative Expression:
  - invent images that combine a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
  - place components in orderly arrangements to create designs;
§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;
§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.

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.

§117.108.b.2. A / B
- 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;

§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;
§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;

Third Grade:

§117.111.b.1. A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - explore ideas from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
  - 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.
§117.111.b.2. A / B
- 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;
§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;
§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;

Fourth Grade:

§117.114.b.1. A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - explore and communicate ideas drawn from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
  - 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.
§117.114.b.2. A / B
- 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
§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;
§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;

Fifth Grade:

§117.117.b.1.A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - develop and communicate ideas drawn from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
  - 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.
§117.117.b.2. A / B
- 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;
§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;
§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;

Elementary School Art Activities

Questions for Elementary School Students:

Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each element of art is located in the folk art.
Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each principle of art is located in the folk art.
What is cross hatching? How is it used in art?
Why would Valton Tyler combine architecture with natural and imaginative elements?
What is an etching?
What is the difference between an etched print and a pen drawing?

Activity: Elementary School Fine Arts

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Ink Pens, Paper, Pencils, and Optional Watercolors
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature
Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

Students will study Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point and learn about the cross hatching technique. Afterwards, the students will create an ink drawing that mixes architecture with plants, animals, nature, and/or other teacher-approved concepts.

First, the students will draw their chosen architecture mixture with a pencil on either drawing paper or mixed media paper. Once the drawings are finished and approved by the teacher, the students will use ink pens to add cross hatching and additional details to their drawings.

Once the ink drawings were completed, the teacher can decide if the students will paint their ink drawings with watercolor paint. The watercolor portion of the activity is optional and to be determined by the teacher.

The goal for the students is to express shading with cross hatching and create a unique design developed through their mixture. Additionally, if the students include the optional watercolor element, the goal is for the color to add creativity and highlight the cross hatched shading in the composition.

Activity: Elementary School Art History

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature
Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

After the students have completed their ink drawing, they will write a short compare and contrast paper. Each student will compare their ink drawing to Valton Tyler’s etching Freezing Point. They will explain what type of buildings they chose and how they combined them with the chosen mixture element. Finally, they will explain how their work is similar and different from Tyler’s work, identifying specific areas in their writing. Once they are finished with their writing, the students will turn in their drawings and their compare and contrast papers to the teacher.

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 an ink drawing of architecture that combines buildings with plant, animals, nature, or other teacher-approved concepts together;
Use cross hatching appropriately in their architecture composition to show shading;
And, compare and contrast their architecture drawing to Valton Tyler’s etching Freezing Point.

Texas Middle School TEKS:

Art 1, Art 2, Art 3

Art 1:

§117.202.c.1. A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
  - 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;
§117.202.c.1. A / B
- 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;
§117.202.c.3. A / C
- Historical and Cultural Relevance:
  - identify the influence of historical and political events in artworks;
  - explain the relationships that exist between societies and their art and architecture;
§117.202.c.4. A / B / D
- 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;
  - investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art;

Art 2:

§117.203.b.1. A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - identify and illustrate ideas from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
  - 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;
§117.203.b.1. A / B
- 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;
§117.203.b.3. A / B / C
- 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;
  - compare and contrast relationships that exist between a society’s art and its music, literature, and architecture;

§117.203.b.4. A / B / D
- 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;
  - investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art;

Art 3:

§117.203.b.1. A / B / C
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experience, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
  - 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;
§117.203.b.1. A / B
- 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;
§117.203.b.3.A / B / C
- 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;
  - evaluate the relationships that exist among a society’s art, music, theatre, and dance;

§117.203.b.4. A / B / D
- 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;
  - investigate and explore original artworks in a variety of venues outside of the classroom such as museums, galleries, or community art;

Middle School Art Activities

Questions for Middle School Students:

Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each element of art is located in the folk art.
Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each principle of art is located in the folk art.
What is cross hatching? How is it used in art?
Why would Valton Tyler combine architecture with natural and imaginative elements?
What is an etching?
What is the compositional differences between an etched print and a pen drawing?
Is Valton Tyler’s print successful? Why or why not?

Activity: Middle School Fine Arts

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Ink Pens, Paper, Pencils, and Optional Watercolors
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature
Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

Activity: Middle School Art History

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature
Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

High School Lesson Plan

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 an ink drawing of architecture that combines buildings with plant, animals, nature, or other teacher-approved concepts together;
Use cross hatching appropriately in their architecture composition to show shading;
And, compare and contrast their architecture drawing to Valton Tyler’s etching Freezing Point.

Texas High School TEKS:

Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV

Level I:

§117.302.c.1.A / B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - consider concepts and ideas from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination for original artwork;
  - 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.
§117.302.c.2.A / D
- Creative Expression:
  - use visual solutions to create original artwork by problem solving through direct observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination;
  - create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;

§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;
§117.302.c.4.A / B / D
- 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;
  - select and analyze original artwork, portfolios, and exhibitions to form precise conclusions about formal qualities, historical and cultural contexts, intentions, and meanings.

Level II:

§117.303.c.1.A / B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - use visual comparisons to illustrate concepts and ideas from direct observation, original sources, experiences, narration, and imagination for original artworks;
  - 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.
§117.303.c.2.A / D
- 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;
  - create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
§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;
§117.303.c.4.A / B / D
- 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;
  - construct a physical or electronic portfolio by evaluating and analyzing personal original artworks to provide evidence of learning;

Level III:

§117.304.c.1.A / B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - analyze visual characteristics of sources to illustrate concepts, demonstrate flexibility in solving problems, create multiple solutions, and think imaginatively;
  - 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.
§117.304.c.2.A / D
- 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;
  - create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
§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;

§117.304.c.4.A / B / 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;
  - use responses to artwork critiques to make decisions about future directions in personal work;

Level IV:

§117.305.c.1.A / B / C / D
- Foundations: Observation and Perception:
  - consider concepts and themes for personal artwork that integrate an extensive range of visual observations, experiences, and imagination;
  - 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.
§117.305.c.2.A / B / D
- 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;
  - evaluate and justify design ideas and concepts to create a body of personal artwork;
  - create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
§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;

§117.305.c.4.A / B / 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;
  - use responses to artwork critiques to make decisions about future directions in personal work;

High School Art Activities

Questions for High School Students:

Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each element of art is located in the folk art.
Examine Valton Tyler’s Freezing Point. Identify where each principle of art is located in the folk art.
What is cross hatching? How is it used in art?
Why would Valton Tyler combine architecture with natural and imaginative elements?
What is an etching?
What is the compositional differences between an etched print and a pen drawing?
Is Valton Tyler’s print successful? Why or why not?
How do you think Valton Tyler’s self taught art style affected his composition?

Activity: High School Fine Arts

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Ink Pens or Dip Pen and Ink, Paper, Pencils, and Optional Watercolors
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature
Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

First, the students will draw their chosen architecture mixture with a pencil on either drawing paper or mixed media paper. Once the drawings are finished and approved by the teacher, the students will use either ink pens or dip pens and ink to add cross hatching and additional details to their drawings.

Activity: High School Art History

Activity Setting: Classroom
Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
Subject: Ink Drawing, Architecture, Abstracted Combination of Architecture and Nature Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
Duration: One Week Project or an Extended Project

For more educational resources created by the Tyler Museum of Art, visit our YouTube page by clicking on the YouTube button or clicking the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxut2kfUh_uO-RIQWVFzXPg/videos

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Art Vocabulary

Bibliography: Resources for Vocabulary and Lesson Plan

Elementary School Lesson Plans

Elementary School Art Activities

Middle School Lesson Plans

Middle School Art Activities

High School Lesson Plan

High School Art Activities

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