Fauves+and+the+Still+Life

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 * “Wild Beasts” – Creating a Still Life Inspired by the Fauves

Art History Focus: Fauves
Art Media Focus: Oil Pastel, Effective use of Composition, Mixing Complementary Colors

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Fauvist art movement. Students will demonstrate understanding of complementary colors. Students will create a still life with oil pastels.
 * __Objectives:__**

AII.3- Students will demonstrate effective use of the elements of art and the principles of design in a variety of art media. AII.6- Students will use historical subject matter and symbols as inspiration to produce works of art. AII.16- Students will describe distinguishing features in works of art that may be used to differentiate among a variety of historical periods and cultural contexts.
 * __SOLs__**

Fauvism was a French art movement, led by Henri Matisse, spanning from 1869-1954. Fauves is French for “Wild Beasts”. This name was used because the artists used intense, almost violent colors in an unnatural way.
 * __Who were the Fauves?__**

In the early 1900s there were several major exhibitions in Paris of Post Impressionist artwork. These included the works of Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Cezanne. These artworks were radically different from previous work displayed. They had loose brush strokes and bright, free use of color. These exhibitions inspired many artists who were looking to liberate their own style.
 * __Historical Context:__**

The Fauves took the free use of color even further by using arbitrary and unnatural colors. They might paint a sky bright red or a person’s face green. Complementary or Analogous color schemes were often used.

This Powerpoint accompanies the lesson. It introduces the Fauves as well as the artists who preceded and influenced them. It also explains still lifes in general.[| Fauves and the Still Life.ppt]

Maurice de Vlaminck Kees van Dongen Andre Derain Raoul Dufy
 * __Other Fauves include:__**


 * __Steps:__**
 * 1) Create 5 each of gesture and contour sketches of items in the still life. These are to help you warm up and get the feel for the objects.
 * 2) Draw 5 thumbnail sketches from the still life. Try viewing it from different angles. Try zooming in.
 * 3) Color your favorite thumbnails roughly with colored pencil.
 * 4) Choose your best thumbnail and draw that view on the large grey paper. You should still be looking at the still life, not just your thumbnail sketch.
 * 5) Read this website on Oil Pastel techniques. http://www.sennelier.fr/gb/10guidetech/guidetech2.htm The website is translated from French so some of the grammar is strange. Also look at http://www.artshow.com/apow/demo10.html for a step-by-step guide on how to do a still life in pastel. Check out this http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/250/541/index.php demonstration of an oil pastel painting of a flower. Using what you have learned, practice oil pastel techniques, including mixing and blending, on a small sheet of pastel paper.
 * 6) Color the entire picture using oil pastels. Each object will be colored with the COMPLEMENT of the actual color. For example: yellow flowers are painted purple, green stems are painted red.
 * 7) You may change or add a few colors where you like to UNIFY the composition.

Go to http://www.nga.gov/feature/artnation/fauve/index.shtm and click “start tour”
 * __Resources:__**




 * __Grading:__**
 * ||  || points possible  || points received  || notes  ||
 * Concept || “Fauvist” use of colors is achieved. Directions were followed  || 20  ||   ||   ||
 * Creativity || Experimented with different options to create an interesting composition. Use of color is expressive. Your individual style is evident.  || 20  ||   ||   ||
 * Composition || Made good use of the entire page. Focal point is evident. Overall composition is pleasing and balanced.  || 20  ||   ||   ||
 * Craftsmanship || Demonstrated control of media, sought to improve technique and exhibited technical skill, presented work with pride in a finished manner  || 20  ||   ||   ||
 * Challenge || Carried the work beyond the requirement, worked diligently without loosing interest, adopted a positive attitude in the classroom, made productive use of time  || 20  ||   ||   ||
 * Grade: ||||||||   ||