In this unit, student artists learn about the history and creation of a Mexican folk art called Alebrije, Alebrije’s are imaginary creatures, usually sculptural, painted with bright colors and patterns. For this project, students create their own imaginary creatures using collage, draw them, create a background, add texture with oil pastels, and then finish them with a watercolor resist. There is an emphasis on color choices and texture.
Scope & Sequence:
Lesson 1: In this lesson, student artists learn about Mexican Alebrijje, then create their own by looking through magazines and collaging animals together.
Lesson 2: In this lesson, student artists learn about the annual Alebrije parade, then draw the basic shapes of their creature large on a paper.
Lesson 3: Student artists learn about analogous, complementary and monotone colors as a group, then experiment on their own with different ways of using color.
Lesson 4: In this lesson student artists learn about how Alebrijje have lots of patterns, then they create patterns on their creature using oil pastels and watercolors, following the color plan they came up with in Lesson 3.
Lesson 5: Allow a fifth day to paint the background, finish, and refine work.
Lesson 6: Optional. a final day for finishing.
(you can preview the first lesson in a project without enrolling by clicking on ‘lesson 1’ above).
Books & Media:
L3. Optional (see clean-up): Projected images of camouflaged animals/colorful animals to show and discuss OR a book on animal colors/camouflage
Line, shape/form, color, texture
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Art Principles:
Pattern, proportion/scale, emphasis
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National Core Visual Art Standards: VA:Cr1.1.3a, VA:Cr1.1.4a, VA:Cr3.1.5a, VA:Re.7.1.3a, VA:Re.7.1.5a, VA:Re.7.2.3a, VA:Re.7.2.4a, VA:Re.7.2.5a, VA:Cn11.1.4a
Language Arts (could complement any unit on Hispanic culture or act as a compare/contrast to units on Mythological Creatures), U.S. History (could complement a unit on immigration/different cultures)
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Common Core Standards:
SL.3.1b, SL.4.1b, SL.5.1b, SL.3.1c, SL.4.1c, SL.5.1c, SL.3.2, SL.3.4, SL.4.4, SL.4.5, SL.5.5, SL.3.6, W.4.1d, W.5.1d, W.3.2d
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