Four Directions Painting

DESCRIPTORS

Curriculum Areas: Art, Native American History

Recommended Levels: Grades 9-12

Time Frame: Five-45 minutes class periods

Tribal Affiliation:

Geographic Location: Northern High Plains (South Dakota)

Developed by: Judith Newton

Email addresses of developers: Judith Newton

Date lesson was developed: July 26, 2001

American Indian Standards:

Art-Standard 1; Level 4(Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes in relation to American Indian/Tribal Art)

INSTRUCTION

Goal: To produce a 3-dimensional painting in the Native American style

Behavioral Objectives: Students will:

• View and discuss Native American painting composition
• Critique several paintings, focusing on composition
• Create own painting using 4 dimension background, buffalo, eagle and feather

Prior Knowledge Needed:

• Drawing
• Painting

Materials and Resources Needed:

• Native American painting examples
• Art supplies (paint, brushes, canvas, pencil & paper)

Culture Content and Strategies:

ü Development of Native American painting style (overlap)

ü Knowledge of animals and symbols used in painting

Lesson Summary and Performance Tasks:

• The painting design must first be drawn on paper.
• The selected design is then transferred to the canvas with a colored pencil.
• The four-direction symbol is drawn first, large in the background covering ¾ of the canvas.
• A slightly smaller buffalo is drawn in front of the four-direction symbol, the overlapping lines are erased.
• An eagle with open wings is drawn in front of the Buffalo. It should be placed off center and the wing on one side should extend off of the canvas. Smaller buffalo and eagle are placed on the eagle, overlapping lines erased.
• When the students begin painting they should start with the background (behind the 4 direction symbol) and move forward.
• The purpose and message of the painting is to create an illusion of multidimensionality through the layering technique and alteration of size relationships.

Assessment:

The composition of the painting will be evaluated along with the ability to follow the basic guideline.

EXTENSION

Technology Integration:

• TV & VCR
• Use Digital Camera to create a for the students involved in the art show

Enrichment/Remediation:

Students may design and create a second painting using the same layering techniques.