5 sessions; 50 minutes per session

SWBAT mix a variety of tones using only one color, white, and black acrylic paints.
SWBAT effectively blend lights and darks with a gradual gradation.
SWBAT layer paint and build up a picture from the background forward, to the fine details, and use a variety of brushes for different strokes.

1. Canvas or foam boards
2. Masking tape (is using foam boards)
3. Brushes
4. Water buckets
5. Paper towels
6. Acrylic paints
7. Strong paper
8. Black and white art reference photos

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. If using foam boards, have students take large piece of paper and tape all 4 sides of it down using masking tape to ensure it will not warp during painting process, if using canvas just proceed to next step.
2. Demonstrate painting techniques to students such as blending lights and darks together, how to hold brushes, using small and large brushes to achieve different brush strokes, and how to mix and blend lights and darks. Let them practice on boards.
3. Students will choose a photo reference to use in this painting. Photos can range from basic animals, trees, buildings, flowers, etc. Do not choose pictures that are too complicated, and print them out in black and white so they don't know what original colors are. Also use photographs, not pictures that are already paintings.
4. Assist students in deciding if they can start painting right away or sketch out subject first. The black and white photo will help them mix lights and darks and focus on that rather than a variety of colors.
5. Students will complete the painting in a monochromatic scheme, using only one color, black and white, to paint the whole painting.

Students will be graded on the ability to build layers of paint from the background forward and add details. Also their ability to use a variety of tones from their one color choice, black and white. And lastly, their ability to blend a gradation of light to dark in their paintings.

I always start out my painting unit with this project because it gets the students practicing brush strokes, blending, and mixing paint. Too often if they dive into a painting using all colors, it's not focused enough and it isn't as successful.

[9-12 Proficient] Students conceive and create works of visual art that demonstrate an understanding of how the communication of their ideas relates to the media, techniques, and processes they use

[9-12 Proficient] Students apply media, techniques, and processes with sufficient skill, confidence, and sensitivity that their intentions are carried out in their artworks

[9-12 Proficient] Students compare the materials, technologies, media, and processes of the visual arts with those of other arts disciplines as they are used in creation and types of analysis

Abstract Art, Abstract Expressionism, Conceptual Art, Contemporary Art

Acrylic, Canvas, Paper