Lesson Plan (From the Archives): Australian Aboriginal Inspired Painting, Middle School Level

Australian Aboriginal Painting

5^th & 6^th

 

Goals: Create a painting inspired by Australian Aboriginal paintings, which will tie in with the class’s social studies unit on Australia.

                              

Skills:

-          Acrylic painting

-          Analyzing and imitating a style

-          Stylizing organic forms from an existing image

 

Materials:

-          Sketch paper

-          Heavier white paper for the final piece – I like to use left over Railroad board from matting

-          Pencil and eraser

-          Acrylic paint

-          Smocks

-          Brushes – including small ones

-          Water cups

-          Newspaper to cover tables

 

Prep:

- Cut paper to size

- Find photos of Australian animals for reference

 

Intro:

1. Look at examples of paintings by Aboriginal people. You may want to choose examples that specifically reflect the type of assignment you want the kids to do. Or you may want to choose a variety of paintings.
2. Analyze what makes these works unique. Talk about specific shapes, patterns, and other characteristics. You may want to use a worksheet or another structured activity.

Steps:

1. Choose an animal to draw, one that is native to Australia. Get a photo of it to use as reference.
2. Draw a thumbnail sketch. Start by drawing a square or rectangle that is about the same proportions as your final paper will be.
3. Include your animal and some sort of border in your thumbnail sketch. You can also divide your space into more than one frame and use multiple borders.
4. Your  animal must fill the space inside the border, by touching at least 3 sides.
5. Make your animal stylized by using simple shapes, rather than trying to make it exactly realistic.
6. Once you are happy with your thumbnail sketch, get your final sheet of paper (a heavier paper) and draw your image onto here, full size. You don’t have to draw every detail and dot, however.
7. Talk about paint colors with the kids. You may want to limit their palettes to more traditional colors – such as ocher, black, and white – or to primary colors.
8. Have the kids get one or two colors of paint at a time – in small dabs on their palette.
9. Use paintbrushes in at least two sizes – one for larger spaces, another for smaller details.
10. Start by painting the large areas. You may need to use two or more coats.
11. Show the kids how to add a bit of water to their brush in order to get a smoother edge, rather than a dry-brush “fuzzy” edge.
12. Once the large areas are covered, add details (such as patterns, lines, dots, etc.) on top of and around them.
13. Continue painting until finished. You may have to encourage the kids to fill more spaces with pattern than they do at first, or to add more detail to their piece.
14. Kids can also add details with sharpie marker after the paint is dry.

Resources:

Aboriginal Art Online