Students will be able to:
- create a basic Celtic knot;
- use transparent colour to create the sense of space;
- demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity;
- support their ideas with evidence found in the works.
BASIC CELTIC KNOT – Measurement, Parallel Lines, Colour
Steps
Step One
- Follow the instructions on the worksheet to practice drawing the Celtic knot on regular drawing paper.
Step Two
- Lightly draw a good copy on a piece of watercolour paper.
- Erase all the guide lines.
- Wet a section of the design with a small amount of water and then paint watercolour into the dampened paper.
- Continue in this way until the whole design is painted.
- Once the paper is dry outline the design with a black fine line marker.
Step Three
- Place the finished painting under some heavy books for about an hour to flatten it if the paper is not smooth.
- View the painting with fresh eyes.
- What do you like best about it? Why?
- How could you use this idea in another artwork?
- Why did you choose the colours you used?
- How does the colour affect the overall feeling of the design?
Learning Goals
Extensions
Have students:
- investigate Celtic designs used in popular culture, for example, tattoos and jewellery;
- design a product that is based on Celtic art;
- create a media text that shows the historical Celtic artifacts that have influenced their own design;
- share their work with the class.
Prepare
- Prior to this lesson you may want to have your students explore Watercolour Techniques using the lesson available on this website.
- Introduce Celtic culture and some history related to ancient and medieval Europe.
- Download Celtic design images from the Internet, for example,
Book of Kells
Decorated Letter
Runic Cross
Celtic Cross
Satchel - Print the basic Celtic Knot worksheets, enough for each student. (Downloads – BasicCelticKnot.pdf)
- Gather and make available books about the Celts and their art, for example, Hands-On History! The Celts: Step into the world of the Celtic peoples, with 15 step-by-step projects and over 400 exciting pictures, by Fiona Macdonald; Celtic Memories: Stories and Blessing from the Celtic Tradition, by Caitlin Matthews; Sacred Symbols Series Celts, by Robert Adkinson; Jaw-Dropping Geography: Fun Learning Facts About British History Celts: Illustrated Fun Learning For Kids, by Jess Roche; The Celts: Blood, Iron and the Forgotten History of the Celts, by Patrick Auerbach; Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Art Instruction), by George Bain; Celtic and Old Norse Designs, by Courtney Davis; and Treasury of Celtic Knots, by Aidan Meehan.
Introduction
- View images of decorated letters from the Book of Kells.
- Discuss the Book of Kells, how it was made, and its use of symbolic imagery.
- an Irish book begun around 800 CE in Scotland, and moved to Ireland around 806 CE after Viking raids
- made by Monks to teach people about Christianity
- most famous European medieval manuscript still in existence
- admired because of its beautiful art, attention to detail and craftsmanship
- made on vellum (calfskin)
- used 10 different colours, many of which were rare and expensive because they were so hard to get
- contains the Four Gospels, stories about Jesus as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- uses symbolism to represent different parts of the story, for example, Matthew – man/angel; Mark – lion; Luke – calf; John – eagle - Point out the overlapping pattern of the Celtic knot in some of the letters. Ask if and where they have seen this design before.
- Introduce the challenge
Activities
The Challenge
- Create a basic Celtic knot.
- Use transparent colour to create the sense of space.
- Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
- Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.
The Process
- Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
- Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
I know I am successful when I have:
- accurately designed a basic Celtic knot
- erased the guide lines
- used transparent colour to create a sense of space
- outlined the shape carefully to add to the sense of space
- kept the paper in good condition - Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
- Observe students as they work.
- Provide individual assistance and encouragement.
Sharing
- Place students into small groups.
- Ask them to:
- Compare their work and describe to each other how they chose their colours and why.
- Discuss the things that are especially effective and why.
- Talk about what they found difficult and what they found easy to do. - Share ideas with the whole class.
- Ask students to tell how they felt about doing this project.
Assessment
- Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
- Observe students as they discuss the art works – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
- Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - CelticKnot_tracking.pdf)
- Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Download - CelticKnot_self-assessment.pdf)
