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Art and Life in Africa Project

Unit Design Databank


Plan #:005

Title/Lesson/Themes: Negative Space Drawing/African Sculpture

Designed by: Karn Hoyt

Grade level/Discipline: High School/Art (Drawing Class)

Estimated Time: 4-90 minute blocks

Objectives (what will be assessed?):

The student will demonstrate understanding of the concept of "negative space drawing" by practicing on actual objects and doing a final drawing featuring an African sculpture. The student will also provide information on a worksheet regarding the selected sculpture.

Description/Backgound:

While doing contour drawing, students will become sensitized to line. In order to expand on this and focus on shape, positive and negative space will be introduced. Found objects such as scissors will be used to trace around, with emphasis on composition (demo on overhead projector). After more practice without tracing, students will randomly review sculptures from the Art and Life in Africa CD, looking for compositions with effective use of negative space. Sculpture photos and background information will be prInted out and used as reference material for the final project. Follow-up will include a trip to the U of I Museum and written responses to artwork,

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Practice negative space drawing.

2. Review "Art and Life in Africa" CD (or internet site) for sculpture with good use of positive & negative space.

3. Print image and background info.

4. Draw outline of sculpture.

5. Fill negative space with text (may altar size with Xerox- cut and paste).

6. Erase pencil lines & present final photo copy with background info on worksheet.

Assignment in CD (essays, chapters): Random - See Art Images Database

Studio Materials Needed: Pencils, erasers, paper (no larger than 11 x 17), objects

Vocabulary:

positive space, negative space, 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, shape, flat, pattern, contrast, size, implied line, African "people" function

Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?):

Completion of step by step procedure, creativity, work ethic

Bibliography/Alternative resources (Web sites?): CD, field trip to U of I Museum


revised 15 July 1998