CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS – Encaustic Painting

Students will be able to:

• create an encaustic painting that expresses a particular quality of a plant;
• use contrast and shadow to create balance;
• use line to create the illusion of movement;
• follow safe practices;
• demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
• support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Have students:

• write a poem to accompany their encaustic painting;
• photograph their encaustic painting;
• create a digital class poetry book illustrated with the photographs of the encaustic paintings;
• write an artist statement about their painting to be included at the back of the book; 
  (Downloads – WritingArtistStatement.pdf)
• invite others to view and comment on the book. 
   

1. Prior to this lesson organize the equipment into a centre for about 6 students. (Students will have to take turns using the equipment depending on how many frying pans you have.)
2. Take students on a field trip to a park or outdoor education centre to do field sketches of plants and trees, and/or or download images from the Internet, e.g.,
   Deciduous
   Coniferous
   Birch
   Maple
   Spruce
3. Download several fine art paintings of plants. For example,
   Klimt
   Monet
   Cézanne
   Frommel
4. Download several science illustrations of plants. For example,
   Flowers
   Nutmeg Tree
   Apple Tree
5. Download and display the Elements and Principles of Design posters available on this website.

1. Have students look at a variety of plant images to compare composition and techniques.
2. Discuss the composition of the pictures, focusing on the arrangement of elements to create balance, and how the artist holds the attention of the viewer taking their eye on a journey around and through the space.
3. Discuss the characteristics of some of the plants students have been studying – leaf shapes and type, flowering plants, etc.
4. View the images of science illustrations and fine art paintings and compare them. Explain that they will be making a fine art painting to express a particular quality or characteristic of their plant. 
5. Introduce the challenge.

1. Once all the paintings are complete display them for a group discussion. Remind students of the challenge.
   - Look closely at the drawings.
   - Choose one that interests you for some reason.
   - Share thoughts about the work.
2. During the discussion include references to:
   - composition – how it holds the attention of the viewer taking the eye on a journey around and through the space
   - balance – how line and colour balance the composition
   - technique – special qualities created by the encaustic technique

1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
2. Observe students as they discuss their paintings – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the painting, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Encaustic_tracking.pdf)
5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - Encaustic_self-assessment.pdf)