Still Life 4^th Grade

Bring in a cloth to set all of the items on. Students will draw the folds in the cloth.  Lead a discussion on Apples and Oranges by Paul Cezanne. Have the students look at the draping in the cloth and the shading of the fruit.  Show the students how the closer fruit appears lower and slightly larger than the fruit that is further away.  Discuss the vanitas. Have the class make up their own symbols from the items for their still life. You may want to bring items from home to incorporate into the still life and help them with their own symbols. For example, a pair of glasses/sun glasses to symbolize that we might see a different world if we look through them, symbolizing change, a camera to symbolize a moment frozen in time, etc.  Also, make sure to have colorful objects to create an interesting piece!

Have the students first draw their items from the side. Choose one item to be behind the rest and one to be in front.  Have the students draw the item that is behind higher and a bit smaller than the focal point group, and the one in front, lower and slightly bigger than the group.     At a later date, have the students draw the same items from the top.  

Core Standard 1

Objective 1 a. Draw objects from a variety of perspectives.

                      d. Use value, color and texture to create interest.

                      e. Observe and render the details of real objects with a high degree of accuracy, e.g. veins             in leaf, wrinkles in a cloth, mortar between brick, ridges in bark.

Objective 2. Handle art material wastes in a safe and responsible manner.    a-e.

Core Standard 2

(Cezanne discussion)

Objective 1 a. Discuss how height placement creates an illusion of depth in artworks.

                     b. Determine the overall value Key for several significant works or art

                      c. Analyze how artists have varied the space divisions to create a more interesting composition.

                      d. Identify the evidence of depth, shadow, color, and mood in artwork.

Objective 2. a. Draw the base of a distant object higher up on the drawing page than the base of objects that are meant to be in the foreground.

                     b. Portray a consistent light side closest to the light source and dark side opposite the source of light in artwork. To satisfy this standard, have a portable light positioned on one side of you items.  Point out the  shadows to your students and have them draw the shadows in their piece.  Also, point out the reflections off the items on the lighted side.  Have them incorporate the reflections into their work as well.

Core Standard 3

Objective 1 a. Determine and explore a variety of sources of inspirations for making art.

                     B. Examine the overall value key of significant works of art and relate the key of each work to a mood

Objective 2 a.  Create a work of art using inspiration from hobbies or interests.

                     b. Interpret how artists use symbols to express moods, feelings, and ideas in art.

                     c. Create and invent symbols to represent ideas, moods or thoughts in artwork.

                     d. Classify works of art according to media and genre.

                     e. Identify themes in works of art