S UBCONSCIOUS E XPLORATION Concept / Big Idea - Identity Choice of Mediums - Pencil, Sharpie & colored pencils Art Methods & Techniques – Automatic Drawing 1 LTC 4240, Art for Children Instructor: Michelle Livek Amber Ward

“Automatic drawing... was developed by the surrealists [circa 1920s], as a means of expressing the SUBCONSCIOUS. In automatic drawing, the hand is allowed to move ‘ RANDOMLY ’ across the paper. In applying CHANCE AND ACCIDENT to mark-making, drawing is to a large extent FREED OF RATIONAL CONTROL. Hence the drawing produced may be attributed in part to the subconscious and may reveal something of the psyche, which would otherwise be repressed.” “Automatic drawing was pioneered by Andre´ Masson. Artists who practiced automatic drawing include Joan Miro´, Salvador Dali, Jean Arp, and Andre´ Breton.” Source: 2

Andre´ Masson Joan Miro´ Salvador Dali 3

Jean Arp Andre´ Breton 4

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6 H OW do I create an automatic drawing? 1.Obtain paper and sharpen pencil. 2.R ELAX ! Let your mind wander or “go blank.” 3.When ready, begin drawing SLOWLY and LIGHTLY. You may choose to (1) close your eyes, (2) look away from, or (3) look at your paper. 4.When drawing, work very hard at letting your SUBCONSCIOUS take over. 5.Continue drawing until you FEEL finished, a few minutes perhaps. 6.Stop and “read” the lines. W HAT HAS PRESENTED ITSELF TO YOU ? A ND WHY ? 7.Look at your drawing and EMPHASIZE objects that seem to ADVANCE toward you by DARKENING those lines with Sharpie. 8.Erase insignificant lines. 9.Share your work with a peer. Share thoughts. 10.Add value using colored pencil or WATERCOLOR PENCILS (mix colors by crosshatching).

Assessment: Think /Pair / Share 7

If time allows, practice photographing your work— using any camera or Smartphone—in preparation for your digital portfolio. Please consider the following: 1.Is the image clear / in-focus? 2.Is the image cropped / void of distractions? 3.Is the image large enough for online viewing? 8

Clean-up Crew Volunteers for each clean up need. Spot a need, and tell that you will do that thing. 9