Name________________________________ Block______
Magazine Mosaic
- A Nature Collage
21st Century Learning Expectations • Communicate effectively in written, oral, and visual forms • Solve problems creatively and effectively • Demonstrate responsibility through ownership of personal actions Unit Learning Expectations Students will: • Expand their knowledge of ancient and contemporary mosaics. • Plan out their project by making preparatory sketches. • Develop an understanding of value scales and shading and effectively demonstrate the skill in their collage. • Employ an effective composition in their piece. • Apply their prior knowledge of contour line, and positive/ negative space. • Demonstrate excellent craftsmanship. Visual Problem You will select, study and draw a creature, object or scene from nature to be used as your collage subject. Using torn or cut magazine pieces, you will develop your chosen subject with color and texture. Examples of subjects may include animals, insects, landscapes, extinction, marine life or other creative ideas you have. (As always, copyrighted images and cartoons are off limits- you want to think of your own creative idea instead of using someone else’s!) Considerations • Remember that your first idea is not always your best idea. The first thing you think of is probably the first thing that everyone else thinks of too. How could you make your project unique or creative? •
Create an interesting composition by filling the page, putting some objects off the page, using an unusual point of view or create depth with perspective or overlapping objects, or zoom in. (Tip: zoom in on your subject- larger shapes are much easier to collage than smaller shapes.)
•
Incorporate shading into all or some parts of your collage. Shading from light to dark in art work can create mood or interest.
•
Demonstrate excellent craftsmanship! Make sure the magazine pieces are carefully applied and there is no visible glue.
•
Size is approximately 12” x 9”. Your collage can be rectangular, square, circular etc…
•
Be sure to use the magazine pieces only for colors and textures, lights and darks. There should not be recognizable words, objects or people to distract the viewer.
Tip: Work from large to small; cover your paper with larger blocks of color first, defining the major shapes of light and dark. Next you can add more details on top of the larger shapes. The smallest details at the end are what will really determine the success of your piece. Mosaic Websites Ancient Mosaics www.classicalmosaics.com/photo_album.htm Boston Mosaic Artist Lisa Houck www.lisahouck.com/ How to make Mosaics www.inlandcraft.com/howto/mosaic/mosaic1.htm
Thumbnail Sketches In Art, composition means the way objects are arranged on the page. Hints for creating an effective composition: • Put the subject off-center • Fill the page (zoom in!) • Overlap or put some objects off the page • Vary the size
Attach your reference photo here. Then draw your thumbnails in the rectangles below.
Shading With the Mosaic Technique Remember that in Art, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Replicate the light and dark values below using cut or torn values from magazines.
Magazine Mosaic - A Nature Collage
Name
_________________________ Block___
This is your chance to reflect upon your process and finished product. In each of the five rows, please circle one box that you feel most accurately matches the amount of work you did for this project. A Excellent Outstanding Planned carefully, designed effectively, used space effectively.
B Very Good Above Average Student made an effective design. Showed an awareness of filling the space adequately.
Creativity/ Originality
The student tried unusual combinations; demonstrated outstanding problemsolving skills.
The student made decisions after referring to one source; solved the problem in a logical way.
The student tried one idea, and carried it out adequately, but it lacked originality.
Effort/ Perseverance
The project was continued until it was as complete as the student could make it; gave effort far beyond that required; took pride in going well beyond the requirement. The artwork was beautifully and patiently done; it was good as hard work could make it.
The student worked hard and completed the project, but with a little more effort it might have been outstanding.
Project was finished, but it could have been improved with more effort; chose an easy project and did it indifferently.
With a little more effort, the work could have been outstanding; lacks the finishing touches.
The student showed average craftsmanship; adequate, but not as good as it could have been; a bit careless.
The student followed through on commitments, was sensitive to the feelings and knowledge level of others, willingly participated in necessary work. Exemplary Outstanding
The student participated enthusiastically, followed through on commitments, performed more than adequately, assisted in prep and cleanup. Proficient Very Good
The student did his or her share of work adequately, assisted in preparation and cleanup when asked.
Proficient Very Good
Design
Craftsmanship/ Consistency
Attitude
Effective Composition Shading
Exemplary Outstanding
C Average/ Good
D Below Average
F Unsatisfactory /Poor
The assignment was completed and turned in, but showed little evidence of design or planning.
The student did the minimum or the artwork was never completed.
The student fulfilled the assignment, but gave no evidence of trying anything unusual.
The student showed no evidence of original thought.
The project was completed with minimum effort.
The student did not finish the work adequately. The student did not put in enough effort.
The student showed below-average craftsmanship, lack of pride in finished artwork.
The student showed poor craftsmanship; evidence of laziness or total lack of understanding.
The student allowed others to do most of the work, did participate minimally, did the minimum amount.
The student did a minimal amount of preparation and cleanup. The student had a poor attitude.
Developing Average/ Good
Beginning Below Average
Unsatisfactory /Poor
Developing Average/ Good
Beginning Below Average
Unsatisfactory /Poor
The student did the assignment adequately, yet it shows lack of planning.
Do you feel your piece has an interesting and effective composition? Why or why not? (Composition means the way the objects are arranged on the page)
How effective is the shading into your project?
What is the most successful part of your project?
If you were to do this project again, what would you do differently next time?
What letter grade do you feel you have earned for this project? _____ Explain why you chose that grade: