General learning objectives
- The students will learn about light as an element of art.
- The students will learn to recognise and use the terms light source, light direction, light-dark contrast and shadow when talking about their own art works and other people's.
Materials required
- For the chiaroscuro assignment, the students need a camera or mobile phone.
- For the two sketching assignments, the students need paper and pencils.
Optional variations
- The sketching assignments can be extended by having the students paint, rather than draw. Keep in mind that at least 60 minutes of class time will then be required.
- The lesson can be shortened by doing only the exercises, or by doing the rest of the lesson and leaving out the exercises
When we talk about light as an element of art, we are talking about the effect of light on 2D and 3D forms.
Undergrowth, 1889.
Explain the term light source, or click on the hotspot for a definition.
Then ask the students to identify the light source in the painting Undergrowth.
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Boulevard de Clichy, 1887
After five minutes, you can discuss the sketches with the class. Tell them to save their sketches. They'll need them later in the lesson.
Explain the term shadow, or click on the hotspot for an explanation.
You could ask the class what you call the type of shadow Vincent uses in this painting. (Answer: cast shadow.)
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
The next few slides are exercises on using these terms in practice.