Acrylic Painting Unit:

"Make A Statement Through Painting"

Assignment

Assignment:

Your assignment is to create a painting that makes a statement. Your painting should have an concept and represent an issue you are passionate about or want to raise awareness about.

Objectives:

Students will develop a composition based on an issue they are passionate about
Students will create a composition that has the illusion of space, foreground, middle ground, and background.
Students will control and mix acrylic paint
Students will understand saturation of color
Students will mix skin tones with acrylic paint

Art Inspiration

Nikkolas Smith- “Activism is the power to spark the compassion and the empathy of the whole world,”

In the story, a child’s mural about love goes viral (an experience based on Smith’s own personal story), and helps the young artist realize that his art gives him the power to be a positive force for change.

"As a parent, I think it’s a perfect book for reading aloud with kids of any age really, to kick off conversations about issues they care about. Animals? Safe schools? Girls in sports? People being nice to each other? Every answer is a good answer."

The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States

Nikkolas Smith mixes the modern and historical, such as showing Martin Luther King Jr. with a hoodie shortly after the Trayvon Martin murder.

DULK

Spanish artist Dulk (Antonio Segura) is one of the most important names in the Valencian street art scene. His body of work began in the form of urban art and mural painting - to which he remains closely linked till this day -, combined with study work. He continues to research and create new forms of expression through drawing, sculpture art, photography and more. His work has a strong ecological conviction to defend ecosystems and the most vulnerable species and invites the viewer to be part of a unique fantasy world, full of energy and special colors. A dream world with animals and natural spaces that tells personal, universal and unique stories.

Anjali Mehta

Anjali Mehta is an illustrator from New Delhi, India. She is primarily known for her graphic shapes, gentle lines, bold colors, and strong female subjects. She is also designing a series titled Enroute Extinction that uses the same bright colors and familiar layout of a postage stamp. This series highlights animal species in India that are at risk of extinction.

Favianna Rodriguez

Her art and collaborative projects address migration, economic inequality, gender justice, and ecology.

Theresa Tsang

Others

Barbara Jones-Hogu, Unite, 1971

Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

Student Examples:

Seniya D. 2023

"My painting represents American life because it represents the American beauty standard. In America, the beauty standard is an hourglass body. Even though the hourglass body is a rare body type to be born with, you're not seen as attractive if you have anything but. This painting shows the danger of wearing a corset, which is a type of clothing that pinches in your waist and forces you to give yourself an hourglass body. "

Janiya P. 2023

"The concept of my figure piece is based on Black Culture. One of the things many African American people do in their everyday life is get their hair done. These styles consist, silk presses, hair cuts, natural, curly, wavy, and all sorts of hair textures. In this painting I chose to focus on the way African American boys/ men get their haircuts. My painting is of a famous actor/ rapper named Ice Cube, who has impacted a lot of people in the Black culture."

Marianna T. 2024

"Redlining, a discriminatory practice that began in the 1930s, systematically denied African Americans access to housing loans and opportunities, perpetuating racial segregation, economic disparities, and inequitable access to housing, education, and healthcare, leading to long-lasting social and economic consequences for Black communities in America. In my piece, a Black man is pictured striving amidst 26 lines, each representing a year from when redlining began to when it first became illegal. A woman and hand can be seen reaching up amid wilting foliage signifying resilience. From the man’s shirt, plant life and fruit fall symbolizing hindered opportunities. “Red Lined” highlights the ongoing struggle for racial equity and advocates for action."

Kali M. 2024

"I thought mainly about the oceans filled with plastic and the effect pollution is having on wildlife. I wanted to create a dynamic painting showcasing the real and direct affect of pollution, showcasing bleached reefs and sea life dying due to entanglement"

Requirements:

Painting should have a dynamic composition that fits with the theme of the project- "Make a Statement Through Painting".
Painting needs to be completed using acrylic paint.
Painting should demonstrate a proficient level of color mixing.
Painting shows a high level of craftsmanship and effort.

Planning and Design

Mind Map Brainstorm Assignment

Learning Targets:

Students will brainstorm an issue that they are passionate about

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.

Strategies for mind mapping:

Start in the middle of a blank page, writing or drawing the idea you intend to develop. I would suggest that you use the page in landscape orientation.
Develop the related subtopics around this central topic, connecting each of them to the center with a line.
Repeat the same process for the subtopics, generating lower-level subtopics as you see fit, connecting each of those to the corresponding subtopic.
Use colors, drawings and symbols copiously. Be as visual as you can, and your brain will thank you. I’ve met many people who don’t even try, with the excuse they’re "not artists". Don’t let that keep you from trying it out!.
Keep the topics labels as short as possible, keeping them to a single word – or, better yet, to only a picture. Especially in your first mind maps, the temptation to write a complete phrase is enormous, but always look for opportunities to shorten it to a single word or figure – your mind map will be much more effective that way.
Vary text size, color and alignment. Vary the thickness and length of the lines. Provide as many visual cues as you can to emphasize important points. Every little bit helps engaging your brain.

Planning and Project Proposal

Learning targets:

Students will develop an artistic concept that makes a statement about an issue they are passionate about
Students will draft thumbnail sketches to translate their concept into a visual composition
Students will critique, give and receive feedback about their ideas with their peers
Students will develop a finalized sketch of their painting plan

Directions:

Using the form provided complete the following three categories:

Project proposal document:

Painting Project Proposal and Critique- Make a Statement Painting

Step 1: Concept (Written Portion) (10 points)

Directions:

Based on some of the topics you came up with on your mind map, come up with an idea or concept for your acrylic painting.

Write out your ideas in the concept section of the project proposal.

Questions to consider:

Concept:

What is the concept or theme of your painting? Can you make your concept more specific?

Viewpoint:

There are many approaches you can take with the piece. Art you pointing out the negative side of the issue to raise awareness, shock? Are you putting a positive spin on it. Are you promoting a solution? What is the message you are sending?

Step 2: Thumbnail sketches (5 points)

Draw 3 thumbnail sketches experimenting with different possible compositions. Remember to consider the size of your canvas and the amount of detail you think you can include.
Remember that thumbnail sketches are not large, detailed drawings, rather they are small rough sketches done mainly to experiment with composition.

Step 3: Collect reference photos ( 5 points)

Directions:

Collect reference photos to use in your final painting composition.

Reference photos could be new photos taken by you, old photos, or resourced photos from online. Make sure you are not planning on copying a photo directly that was not taken by you.

You can combine reference photos.

Step 4: Create a full page sketch (10 points)

Choose your canvas size
Get a piece of newsprint paper that is the same size as your canvas- this will be what you complete your final sketch onto.
Draw out your final composition plan

Consider the style of the painting- realistic, abstract?
Make sure to make your proportions accurate because you will transfer this sketch to your final canvas!
Make sure you are using the entire space of the page

This is a line drawing, not in full value

Step 5: Peer Review and Critique (10 points)

Directions:

Using the critique form provided in the project proposal packet; critque 2 student's project proposals.

You will be critiquing each other on the concept, composition, and craftsmanship of your final sketch and written concept.

Think about the following questions for the Peer Critique.

Concept: Are the written ideas clear and concise? Did they put time and effort into the ideas behind the painting? Did they use full sentences?

Composition: Is the sketch well laid out and ready to transfer to the canvas? Are there areas of interest in the composition. Where is your eye drawn to?

In Class Practice

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet- 20 points

Learning objectives:

Students will practice mixing colors and values
Students will blend acrylic paint from one tone or color to another tone or color
Students will understand how to control color saturation
Students will mix skin tones with acrylic paint

Directions:

Using the color theory information provided, complete the following painting handout.

Practice blending from one tone or color to another tone or color. Try to create a smooth transition between colors
Paint the flower two times- one with high saturation of color, and one with low saturation of color.
Paint the eye by creating a variety of skin tone colors

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet Example:

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet Example.pdf

Blank handout link:

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet Blank.pdf

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet Video Directions:

Painting Skill Builder Worksheet Video.mp4

Blending vs. Layering:

Blending: A Painting technique where two different colors are slightly mixed together when wet, giving a smooth transition from one color to the next.

Layering: Adding paint to an already dried surface. Colors won't mix together.

Slow dry blending medium will slow down the drying time without changing the color of the paint. It will make the paint a little more transparent.

Value Vs. Saturation with Acrylic Paint:

High saturation:

Medium saturation:

Low saturation:

How to paint skin tones:

Final Process

Step 1: Paint an acrylic wash in the background + decide on color scheme

Objectives:

Students will understand how to mix neutral colors
Students will create a watered down wash of acrylic paint to prime their canvas
Students will understand color as mood

Directions:

Think about a color scheme you want for your painting, choose a color that generally fits with your "color mood".
Mix a neutral color. It can be more purple or more red but you need to neutralize it)
Mix a quarter sized amount of the color with acrylic paint.
Use a bit of the paint and mix it with water in the middle of your pallet. Paint the whole canvas with a transparent layer using a large brush.
Let dry for at least 30 minutes or until canvas is completely dry to the touch.
Use the remaining time to add a color plan to your full page sketch.

Making an Acrylic Wash (1).mp4

Color as Mood:

Choose a color mood:

See the following color theory image to decide on your color scheme for your painting.

Color in your final sketch.

Watch this video for more information on color as mood.

Step 2: Transferring sketch to your canvas:

Learning objectives:

Students will utilize a method of transferring a design onto canvas.

Directions:

Wait for your initial acrylic wash to completely dry
Lay the carbon paper black side down onto your canvas. Tack down with masking tape only on one long edge.
Place your full page sketch on top of the carbon paper. Tack down with masking tape on the same long edge. You should have the ability to lift and check the image without it moving.
Using a pencil or pen, trace over all the outlines of your image. Continuously check to make sure the lines are all transferring.

Tape transfer paper BLACK SIDE DOWN to your canvas. Tape along one long side.

Tape your collage sketch along the same side as you taped the transfer paper.

3. Apply pressure on all of your ourlines using a pencil or pen.

4. Check your work periodically to ensure the transfer is working. Once complete, remove your transfer paper, peel off the tape and return it for re-use.

Step 3: Block in background and major sections of color

I advise you to start with the background and work your way forward. Block in major shapes first. Feel free at this stage to cover up details with the intention of layering them in later.

Blocking in Color- Acrylic Painting.mp4

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