Still Life

Painting like Cezanne

Grades: 6

Goal: In this lesson students will become familiar with the work of Paul Cezanne and creating a study of a still life.

Time needed: four to five 45 minute class periods.

Objectives:

1.       Identify the work of Paul Cezanne

2.       Demonstrate good use of design, color, composition and draftsmanship by painting a still life.

3.       Use repetitive and small brushstroke.

4.       Still Life must contain three planes (background, middle ground and foreground) and have a distinct horizon line.

Vocabulary:

1.       Composition- to combine parts of elements to form a whole.

2.       Draftsmanship- an artist who draws and design plans, as of structures to be built.

3.       Still life- a group of objects grouped together.

4.       Three planes are- background- is the plane in a composition perceived furthest from the viewer. 

                                     -Middle ground- is the visual plane located between both the foreground and    background. 

                                     -Foreground- is the visual plane that appears closest to the viewer.

5.  Horizon Line- It represents the viewer's eye level. You can see the top of an object if it is below eye level, below the Horizon Line. If an object is above eye level, above the Horizon Line, you cannot see its top.

Material Needed:

-          Drawing paper

-          Pencils

-          Eraser

-          Acrylic paints

-          Palette knife to mix paint

-          Brushes

-          Cup to hold water

-          Paper towels

-          Aprons or shirts for students to protect their clothing while working in art project.

-          Still life

-          Examples of Paul Cezanne’s work:

·         Still Life with Basket of Apples

·         Compotier Glass and Apples Aka Still Life with Compotier

·         Still Life With Apples 4

·         Still Life with Apples and Fruit bowl

·         Still Life With Apples

·         Still Life with Blue Pot

For the Still Life:

-          Jugs

-          Jars

-          Bowls

-          Boxes to distribute levels of height  in the objects

-          Drapery

-          Fruit

Lesson Plan Procedure

Introduction:
Today’s subject is painting a still life. We will focus on Paul Cezanne’s Artwork. Please copy the Intentions (Objectives) for the day. Once done with Intentions then continue. Students will be painting the still life that has been set up for them in the middle of the classroom.
First they will start by drawing the still life as realistic as possible; emphasizing some of the dark and lights on each object.  Students will focus in a three plane composition. Suggest students to draw the objects as big as their actual size.  For example: an apple no smaller than their fist.
Students will start by drawing the objects they see in the still life. Assist students as needed.
When drawing is complete then students will start painting. Here Cezanne’s artwork can be shown again to remind students about color, value, and small brushstroke. Assist students as needed during the painting process.
When students have finished their still life artwork then display it in the classroom. Students will answer a critique form about their artwork and they will choose one other artwork from their classmate to critique. The critique form can be found at the end of the lesson plan, if copies are limited to print on this handout than have students copy the questions on their journals next to their intentions on this art project.
Tips for painting:

-          Brushes should be rinsed and wiped between colors to avoid mixing the paint.

-          Paints can be mixed to get a desired color tone or another color in a separate area using a palette knife.

-          Paints can be diluted with water for a lighter coat.

-          When applying several coats on an area allow the first coat to dry so paint won’t blend and create an undesired color.

Grading Procedures

Rubric

	Outstanding 16pts	Very Good 15pts	Good 14pts	Score
Elements and Principles of Design	Planned carefully, sketch showed an awareness of the elements and principles of design; color, value, shape/form and composition	The artwork shows that the student applied the principles of design while using one or more elements effectively	The student did the assignment adequately, yet it shows lack of planning and little evidence that an overall composition was planned
Creativity	The student explored several choices before selecting one; made connections to previous knowledge; demonstrated understanding problem solving skills	The student tried a few ideas for selecting one; solve the problems in logical way	The student tried  one idea, substituted/ made up objects
Effort/Perseverance	The project was continued until it was complete. Student gave it effort far beyond that required	The student worked hard and completed the project but with a little more effort it might have been outstanding	The student finished the project, but it could have been improved with more effort
Craftsmanship/ skill/ consistency	The artwork was beautiful and patiently done	With a little more effort, the work could have been outstanding. Lacks the finishing touches	The student showed average craftsmanship; adequate, but not as good as it could have been, a bit careless
Attitude/ clean up	The student worked towards goal, willingly participated in necessary preparation or work for classroom	The student participated enthusiastically, followed through with commitments, assisted in clean up	The student mostly allowed others in the group to make all the decisions, did his or her share of work adequately, assisted in preparation and cleanup when asked
Critique	Student answers all questions in full sentences, gives a good amount of description,	Student answered questions briefly, does not provide insight into the artwork	Student answers with little words, was not interested in expressing or sharing thoughts about the artwork

My Example
half drawing/half painted

I did this drawing for a special need student.

Still life

Still life



Students' work

Hang Man Game

Start by asking a question;

1. What’s the name of the artist we study? Paul Cezanne.

2. What is the style the artist is consider being the father of? Post-Impression.

3. Are his masterpieces 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional? Why. 2D because they are paintings.

4. What is the artist brush style? Small repetitive brushstrokes.

5. What is his paintings subject? Still life.

6. What is a still life? A number of objects grouped together.

7. What are the 3 planes in art? Background, middle ground and foreground.

8. What’s a background? What is furthest.

9. What is the horizon line? Is a person eye level.

10.         What are the elements of art used in Paul Cezanne paintings? Composition, value, color

11.         Does Paul Cezanne use pure white to paint white objects? Explain. No. He mixes white with color to make an off white and shadows from objects used in the still life.

12.         What are the primary colors? Red, blue and yellow

13.         What are the secondary colors? Green, purple and orange

14.         How do you make a light tone of color? Add white

15.         What’s a highlight? Where the light hits an object

16.         What is a hue? A color from the primary and secondary color.

17.         What is a tint? Is any color with white added.

18.         What is a shade? Is any color with black added.

19.         What is a tone? A tone is created using black and white which is gray with any color to adjust the value.

20.         What’s the process in cleaning a brush during painting? Clean at bottom of jar with water, move in circular motion, remove excess water at top of jar, and then dab with napkin.

The students will be ask a question, whoever answers correctly takes a turn to guess a letter or the phrase for “Hang man game” The guessing phrase would be the title of the project. “Painting like Cezanne”. A second turn will be the phrase “You are awesome!”