Lesson: Pumpkin drawings
Art Theory: Pop Art
Andy Warhol is a famous name, but it might have been the first time these kids had heard of him. We showed them some of his works and they were floored by his color and pattern. They were excited to try it themselves. We passed out paper and began a demonstration of how to draw a pumpkin. We went slowly, step by step.
After the pumpkin was drawn - as big as their paper could hold - we brainstormed patterns. This time I did not write them, I simply drew an example. The kids were then instructed to use a different pattern for every section of their pumpkin as well as a different color. Soon hearts, zig zag, swirls, numbers, and polka dots were flying everywhere. But amongst the happy chaos was a sad Tanner.
Today Tanner became my good friend. As the other kids were squiggling to their content, tanner sat with his head down and hands over his paper. I knelt next to him and he ashamedly showed me his pumpkin that he thought was ugly. With a little prompting he flipped his paper over and we drew the pumpkin again together. At the sight of his new pumpkin he was overjoyed and began to add his patterns. But before he did that, we talked about how it doesn't matter if art is perfect, it matters if you like it. Anyone can be an artist, they simply have to not give up. I am proud of Tanner, he didn't give up. And his pumpkin would make Warhol proud!
Here is some of their work:
Comments