Masterpiece Makers: Oil Painting Adventure!

9th Grade Project 2 weeks

Masterpiece Makers: Oil Painting Adventure!

Madison Damerval

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Purpose

Students will explore the expressive potential of oil painting as a medium to communicate personal narratives and societal themes. Through hands-on practice, they will develop technical skills in oil painting, learn effective techniques for maintaining and cleaning their supplies, and apply these skills to create a compelling final artwork. This project encourages students to reflect on their own stories and messages, using oil painting to engage and connect with their audience.

Learning goals

Students will explore the expressive potential of oil painting by developing basic techniques such as blending, layering, and texture creation. They will learn to maintain and care for their materials, ensuring a sustainable practice. By the end of the unit, students will apply their skills to create a significant piece of art that communicates a personal or societal message, reflecting their understanding of the medium's storytelling capabilities.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
National Core Arts Standards - VA:Cr2.1.HSI: Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.

Products

Students will create a series of small oil paintings that explore different techniques such as blending, layering, and texture application. These practice pieces will culminate in a final project: a large oil painting that tells a personal story or conveys a meaningful message. Each student will also develop an artist statement to accompany their final work, explaining their creative process and the story or message behind their piece.

Launch

Begin the unit with a gallery walk featuring diverse oil paintings that tell stories or convey powerful messages. As students explore the artworks, prompt them to jot down initial thoughts on how each piece communicates its narrative or emotion. Follow this with a class discussion where students share their observations and begin to brainstorm ideas for their own oil painting projects, considering the essential question.

Exhibition

Students will curate a classroom gallery showcasing their final oil paintings, inviting peers, teachers, and family members to attend. Each student will prepare a brief artist statement to accompany their artwork, explaining the story or message behind their piece and their creative process. The exhibition will include a Q&A session where students can engage with the audience, discussing their inspirations and the techniques they employed. This event will not only celebrate their artistic achievements but also foster an appreciation for the diverse narratives expressed through oil painting.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Gallery Walk and Discussion - Students explore a curated collection of oil paintings that tell stories or convey messages, noting their observations and participating in a class discussion to brainstorm ideas for their own projects (45 min) Introduction to Oil Painting Medium - Overview of oil paints, their properties, and how they can be used to express narratives, with a focus on safety and care for materials (20 min) Initial Sketching and Idea Development - Students begin sketching ideas for their final project, considering the narrative or message they wish to convey (25 min)	Basic Techniques: Blending and Layering - Hands-on practice with blending and layering techniques, focusing on smooth transitions and depth creation (45 min) Small Practice Piece Creation - Students apply blending and layering techniques to create a small practice piece (30 min) Reflect and Share - Students reflect on their practice piece, sharing insights with peers on technique challenges and successes (15 min)	Exploring Texture in Oil Painting - Introduction to texture application techniques, including impasto and scumbling, to add dimension and interest (30 min) Texture Application Practice - Students experiment with texture techniques on a small canvas, aiming to enhance storytelling through tactile elements (40 min) Group Critique Session - Students present their textured pieces for peer feedback, focusing on how texture impacts the narrative (20 min)	Advanced Technique Exploration: Glazing - Introduction to glazing and its use in adding depth and luminosity to paintings (30 min) Glazing Practice - Students practice glazing techniques on a small painting, experimenting with color layers and transparency (40 min) Personal Reflection and Planning - Students journal about their technique experiences thus far and finalize their concept for the final project (20 min)	Materials and Workspace Setup - Students learn best practices for setting up an efficient and clean workspace for their final project (15 min) Final Project Planning - Students create a detailed plan and timeline for their final oil painting project, considering composition and technique choices (35 min) Initial Canvas Preparation - Students prepare their canvas for the final project, applying a base layer and sketching their composition (40 min)
Deliverables	1. A series of small practice oil paintings demonstrating techniques such as blending, layering, and texture application.
Preparation	1. Prepare a selection of diverse oil paintings for the gallery walk. 2. Gather and organize oil painting supplies including brushes, paints, canvases, and cleaning materials. 3. Provide materials for color mixing and theory exploration, including color wheels and mixing guides. 4. Set up workspace for practicing oil painting techniques, ensuring all students have access to necessary materials. 5. Prepare a worksheet or guide for students to develop their final project concept, including prompts and sketch space.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Painting Techniques Review and Refinement - Students revisit and refine blending, layering, and texture techniques to ensure mastery before starting their final painting (30 min) Final Project Work Session 1 - Students begin applying their refined techniques to their final project, focusing on the initial layers of their composition (50 min) Peer Feedback and Adjustments - Students share progress with a peer for feedback, making initial adjustments based on constructive critique (10 min)	Color Theory Application - Students explore advanced color mixing techniques to enhance the narrative of their final project (30 min) Final Project Work Session 2 - Continue working on the final project, concentrating on color application and layering for depth (50 min) Self-Reflection and Goal Setting - Students reflect on their progress and set specific goals for the next work session (10 min)	Enhancing Storytelling through Detail - Introduction to adding fine details that highlight the narrative elements in their painting (30 min) Final Project Work Session 3 - Students focus on adding intricate details and refining the storytelling aspects of their painting (50 min) Mini Critique Session - Students engage in a brief critique session with a classmate to discuss the clarity of their story or message (10 min)	Glazing and Finishing Touches - Students learn to use glazing techniques for final touches that add luminosity and depth to their work (30 min) Final Project Work Session 4 - Apply glazing and finalize painting, ensuring all narrative elements are clearly conveyed (50 min) Artist Statement Drafting - Begin drafting an artist statement that explains the story or message behind their painting (10 min)	Final Touches and Presentation Preparation - Students complete any remaining touches and prepare their artwork for display (30 min) Artist Statement Completion - Finalize artist statements, focusing on clarity and coherence in explaining their artistic process and message (30 min) Exhibition Setup and Rehearsal - Students arrange their artwork for the classroom exhibition and practice presenting their artist statements (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed large oil painting that tells a personal story or conveys a meaningful message. 2. Drafted and finalized artist statement explaining the story or message behind their piece and their creative process. 3. Participation in a classroom gallery exhibition, including a prepared presentation for the Q&A session.
Preparation	1. Ensure ample supply of canvas, oil paints, brushes, and cleaning materials for students. 2. Arrange space for peer critique sessions and the final gallery exhibition. 3. Prepare rubric and guidelines for artist statement and presentation. 4. Organize a schedule and space for the classroom gallery exhibition, inviting relevant stakeholders (peers, teachers, family members).