Lesson Background:
We have been investigating change in animal life cycles and populations. We read the beautiful Australian picture books "Rusty the Rainbow Bird" by Aleesah Darlison and The Black Cockatoo with One Feather Blue by Jodie McLeod and learned more about gouldian finches and black cockatoos and why they are endangered.
Lesson Materials (per student):
1 sheet trimmed white A3 art paper
lead pencil
good quality thick acrylic paint in lots of colours
watercolour paints for background (optional)
Lesson Steps:
1. We began by looking at images of the gouldian finch and black cockatoos from the 2 picture books we had read. We discussed shapes and colours of them, and then I moved snipped images of them around on my screen showing them the impact of different sizes and positions. We looked at filling in the backgrounds with native plants and how positive and negative space are affected by different decisions we make with size and position of the things we added in.
2. I modelled how to draw the finch, branch and cockatoo step-by-step while students followed along. After that, I modelled some possible plants on the board and students chose which ones they wanted to include in their artworks and drew them in.
3. I demonstrated how to use the acrylic paint and mix colours.
4. Students painted their artworks. They did find it tricky to paint around their drawings with the blue background acrylic paint. Some students chose to leave it white and we did agree that using watercolour for the background might be easier next time.
5. Once dry, students outlined their drawings with black sharpie to neaten up messy paint lines and make their drawings pop.
Student Artworks: