Do you know the amazing artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser? If the answer is 'no,' get on it! He is one of my absolutely favorite artists. An amazing man he was.
His artwork is known for his use of bright colors, repetitive patterns, abstractions, lines, concentric shapes and impactful images.
For this project, we focused on the art elements and principles that I just listed above. We looked at his posters that he created and as a class discussed the power that we have as artists to influence others. Here are a few images of posters that were painted by Hundertwasser:
His artwork is known for his use of bright colors, repetitive patterns, abstractions, lines, concentric shapes and impactful images.
For this project, we focused on the art elements and principles that I just listed above. We looked at his posters that he created and as a class discussed the power that we have as artists to influence others. Here are a few images of posters that were painted by Hundertwasser:
After looking at these posters (and much more of his artwork) the students were assigned partners to design a poster with. They began by conversing and coming to agreement of a theme. After they chose a theme, they began brainstorming different slogans they could use on their posters and drawing sketches. I really pushed them to collaborate and work together on this project.
Once the students agreed on theme and drawing, they drew their images with pencil on a large poster board. They worked as a team using oil pastels to outline their drawings and filled in with watercolor paints.
Once the students agreed on theme and drawing, they drew their images with pencil on a large poster board. They worked as a team using oil pastels to outline their drawings and filled in with watercolor paints.
I really urged the students to challenge themselves to create art in the style of Hundertwasser rather than trying to create art that they think of as 'pretty' or 'nice' or how they usually create art. It really challenges students and helps them grow as artists when they try new styles and ideas.
Again, the focus of this project was:
bright colors
concentric shapes
repeating patterns
abstract art
lines
images that influence the viewer
Again, the focus of this project was:
bright colors
concentric shapes
repeating patterns
abstract art
lines
images that influence the viewer
The end results are truly amazing. I am so proud of the 5th graders. It was a joy to watch the students start with brainstorming themes, create slogans, draw sketches, draw their image with pencil, and finish up their colorful masterpieces.
Click the thumbnails below to see the finished posters!
Click the thumbnails below to see the finished posters!
After the students were finished, I had them each fill out a worksheet with questions asking:
1. What is the theme of your art?
2. Why is this topic important to you?
3. What did you learn while doing this project?
4. What was your favorite part of this and why?
5. What was the most difficult part? Why? What did you do to resolve this difficulty?
The answers were quite insightful. Many of the students favorite part was using oil pastels. Many loved working with a partner and getting to know someone that they would not have chosen to work with otherwise. Some enjoyed learning about Hundertwasser's art.
As for the most difficult part, a large majority of the students thought it was working with a partner to create art. Some felt that it was hard to be accepting of other's ideas or to not be in control or to just physically share a space. Most worked through this by being more open-minded and getting to know the person better. It made me very proud to read how students chose to work through their challenges.
1. What is the theme of your art?
2. Why is this topic important to you?
3. What did you learn while doing this project?
4. What was your favorite part of this and why?
5. What was the most difficult part? Why? What did you do to resolve this difficulty?
The answers were quite insightful. Many of the students favorite part was using oil pastels. Many loved working with a partner and getting to know someone that they would not have chosen to work with otherwise. Some enjoyed learning about Hundertwasser's art.
As for the most difficult part, a large majority of the students thought it was working with a partner to create art. Some felt that it was hard to be accepting of other's ideas or to not be in control or to just physically share a space. Most worked through this by being more open-minded and getting to know the person better. It made me very proud to read how students chose to work through their challenges.
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