Line Art- A lesson plan

Bean Finneran, 20,000 Turquoise Curves, 2011. Ceramic, Crocker Art Museum Collection.

Lesson Objective: Students will learn the importance of line and sculpture in art. Using colorful construction paper, Students will explore with line and create their own abstract sculpture. Other line materials will put a finishing touch to their line art.

Objectives:

• Elements of Art: Line, color, and form.
• Use of basic gluing techniques.
• Use of basic collage techniques.
• Introduce idea of mixed-media art.

Images:

• Bean Finneran, 20,000 Turquoise Curves, 2011. Ceramic, Crocker Art Museum Collection.

Bean Finneran Installation

Instructional Materials:

• Dry Erase Markers
• Image Reproductions
• Line Activity: Tape/ String/ Straws
• Line and Sculpture Related Books

Art Materials:

• Black Cardstock Paper
• Color Paper Strips
• Scissors & Glue Sticks
• Wire & Pipe Cleaners
• Tape

Opening Discussions:

• Discuss the importance of line sculpture and mixed-media art.
• Have Students engage in a line activity. Place tape or string on the floor to create various lines (straight, curved, zig-zag, etc.). Students will practice with their bodies making the lines they see on the floor or on the poster. This might take about 15 minutes and will allow Students to get their wiggles out.
• Show Bean Finneran’s work, 20,000 Turquoise Curves: Ask the following questions: What lines can we find in this work? Show me with your finger. What shape does all these lines make? Show me with your finer. Now, what colors do we see?
• Explain to the students that they will be making a colorful line sculpture using different materials.

Procedure:

• Demonstrate at a table or on the carpet the project. Show Students the different materials they will be using and how they can attach it to their base.
• Students will start with a black cardstock paper on their table. At the center of their table, there will be tray with colored paper strips, pipe cleaners, wire, and tape. They may select 6 items to start with.
• Students can begin by gluing down the long strips of colored paper and create different lines. With a glue stick, they can glue the ends of the paper down to their base.
• Next, Students can explore with other line materials like wire, pipe cleaners, and tape.

• Conclusion:
  1. Clean up. Ask students to clean up and return all materials. Their artwork should remain at their desk for the “gallery walk” to conclude the lesson.
  2. Class and/or table group discussion. What did we learn? What was challenging? What felt familiar? Shout-outs to helpful neighbors?
  3. “Gallery walk”. Students will leave their artwork at their desk to be previewed by their classmates. (If they do not want to share, offer to turn over work). Invite students to line up behind you with their arms behind their backs. Discuss museum manners (hands to self, positive remarks). Slowly “snake” around the table groups so students may view the work of their peers.

Student sample:

Materials

• Black cardstock paper
• Color paper strips
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Wire (colorful. craft)
• Pipe cleaners
• Tape