1. Artists Observe In this unit, students will:
Explore observation and how it relates to art making.
What do artists observe?
Why do artists observe?
Develop observational drawing skills.
Sketching, contour drawing, scribble drawing, negative space, simplifying shapes, shading
Create personal artwork that is meaningful, challenging and applies knowledge of observation.

2. Artists Observe Learning Objectives
COMMUNICATE: I can evaluate and reflect on the artwork and working process of myself and others.
DEVELOP SKILLS: I can make art that shows my knowledge of tools, techniques, and concepts.
ENGAGE & PERSIST: I can focus on art-making that is challenging and personally meaningful.
Artists Observe
Learning Objectives

3. #1 EXPLORE: MindMap ? ? ? ? Artists Observe
Make a mind map in your sketchbook. What are different things artists observe? What do you like to observe? You should have at least 10 parts to your mind map. ?

4. EXPLORE: How do contemporary artists observe?#2
EXPLORE: How do contemporary artists observe?
The Stakeout
Color Me Katie
What do these videos show about how artists observe?
Write a paragraph about what you learned / noticed about how artists observe in a google doc. You will print this out at and turn it in with your final artwork.

5. Sketching Sketches are not “finished” pieces of artwork.
The artist draws quickly.
Sketches can take as little as a a few seconds.
What is the purpose of a sketch?
To record something the artist sees
To develop an idea for later use
To visually communicate an idea

6. Examples of Sketches

7. Examples of Sketches

8. DEVELOP SKILLS: Sketching#3
DEVELOP SKILLS: Sketching
Object Suggestions
Toy car or animal
Wooden mannequin
Plant or flower
Tape dispenser
Old camera
Too simple
Glue bottle, book, laptop, cell phone
Choose a fairly complex 3 dimensional object (not a photo or anything on a screen) to draw.
Follow this link and complete all drawings based on the directions given on each slide.

9. Famous Artists Observe Too

10. EXPLORE: Famous Artists Observe#5
EXPLORE: Famous Artists Observe
Step 1:
View the slideshow.
Choose one of the artists and complete more research. If you are not interested in the artists in the slideshow, feel free to find your own famous artist who uses observation as a key aspect of their work.
Click on the additional links in the slideshow and study that artist's work.
In your sketchbook write a paragraph about your thoughts on the artist. Some prompts are:
What do you like and/or dislike about their work?
Would you hang their artwork in your home? Why or why not?
Does the artist's work in an abstract or realistic style? Why do you say this?
What interesting facts did you find out about them?

11. Claude Monet, 1840-1926 Founder of French Impressionism
The Impressionists wanted to express their own perceptions of nature - especially light.
Painted outside (plein-air) landscapes.
Video Biography
Artwork

12. Edgar Degas, 1834-1917 Also a French Impressionist.
Famous for painting, drawing and sculpting dancers.
Interested in new angles and perspectives (rather than the subject always in the middle).
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Artwork

13. John James Audubon,
One of the first people to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of America.
Began as a failed businessman who drew as a hobby.
Published a very famous book, Birds of America, with a collection of 435 life-size prints.
Namesake of the current Audubon organization that focuses on preserving native habitat for birds and other wildlife.

14. Robert Bateman, 1930 - Canadian born artist and naturalist.
Experimented with lots of styles of painting but is now famous for his realist paintings of nature and animals.
Bateman has published 6 books and his artwork is reproduced in many different areas.
Video Biography

15. DEVELOP SKILLS: Famous Artists Observe#6
Step 2:
On a WHOLE PAGE in your sketchbook, sketch your version of one of their artworks using whatever material you wish (at least 30 minutes of active art making).
TIP: Use the sketching techniques from the beginning of this unit to draw more accurately!

16. #7 = YOUR TURN
ENGAGE & PERSIST: Create a piece of artwork with drawing pencils that relates to this unit. It should be both meaningful and challenging.
PRESENT: Your artwork will be displayed with an artist statement.
Acrylic Painting by Adan Reyes

17. Directions for “Your Turn”
Remember that this entire unit has been about  observation and working with value. You should be
applying both in the final project. Your artwork should show a full range of values and be drawn from observation, using the measuring techniques you have learned. 2. Make sure your artwork is meaningful and challenging. Choose something that is interesting to you! 3. Choices of what you can use for observation:            a. Still life: create a still life with objects that are interesting to you. Maybe they are your favorite               things,  maybe they are objects that are symbolic of important times in your life, etc.            b. Nature art: Observe objects from nature.           c. Urban/Rural sketching: Draw by observing your environment ​. 4. Select your concept: If you use a photo for reference, it must be a photo you have taken. 5. Research your concept to find techniques and ideas that inspire you. (print out pics, write down links,etc.) 6. Create thumbnails sketches to plan out your composition. (3-5 thumbnails required) 7. Present ideas (research, thumbnails sketches/photos, etc.) to me before proceeding with final project. 8. Gather materials: still life items, nature objects or urban sketching location. 9. Make sure to keep all research and thumbnail sketches to turn in with the final project.