POSERS – Drawing Models in Costume

Students will be able to:

1. Use the elements and principles of art to create a drawing that tells a story;
2. Use oil pastel and resist techniques to provide detail and variety;
3. Respond to the work of their peers; and
4. Support their ideas with evidence found in the works.

1. Display the paintings so that everyone can see them.
2. Have students write a story to go with one of the paintings – not necessarily their own.
3. When all the stories are complete share them with the class.
4. Have students connect the story with the painting.
5. Create a digital class book using the stories and photographs of the paintings. Include statements by the artists and authors.

This project requires students to draw from observation and then to use their imagination to create a picture that tells a story. Students work in groups. First they choose two people to model for the drawing. As a group they decide what the models will wear and what they will be doing. They set up the scene and begin to draw the figures. When the main composition has been recorded and the details blocked in, two new students model for the children who were being models first. After all the basic drawings have been completed, the models stop and the students work to complete their drawings adding colour and further detail from their imagination and making sure to leave some of the paper blank. The resist technique using either watercolour or diluted washable paint is used to complete the artwork. 

1. This lesson is an excellent way for students to apply what they have learned in the following lessons:
   WILLIAM KURELEK – Looking at Art/Drawing from Memory
   DRAWING TECHNIQUES - Training the eye to see
   EXPERIMENTING WITH OIL PASTEL – Resist
   EXPERIMENTING WITH OIL PASTEL – Working on White Paper  
2. Gather a variety of old clothes, hats, costumes and props.
3. Place students in groups of about 6.

1. Remind students of everything they have learned about pictures that tell stories, drawing from observation and oil pastel techniques. 
   - In this challenge you’re going to combine concentration and careful looking with your knowledge of oil pastel techniques, and you’re going to have a chance to create a scene in the way that William Kurelek did.
2. Discuss how they will decide on their scene and choose costumes.
3. Introduce the challenge

1. Once all the drawings 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, supporting comments with evidence found in the work.

1. Observe students as they work. Use the tracking sheet to note progress while students are working. (Downloads – POSERS_observation.pdf)
2. Observe students as they discuss the art works.
3. Have students use the self-assessment form to reflect on their learning. (Downloads – POSERS_assessment.pdf)