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Class #2
9-21-18

Project: 

Cyanotype Printing 

Key Concepts:

• Observation, planning, exploration, language of art

Essential Understandings:

• Artists and designers observe and explore their surroundings to gather inspiration in order to communicate/document ideas using a variety of art making methods.

Objectives/Learning:

• Shown a variety of historical and contemporary examples of cyanotype prints, students will be able to discuss and explain specific characteristics of cyanotype photography using artistic language and vocabulary. (Bloom’s: Understanding/Standard: Comprehend/GLE: Investigate how language of visual art and design can enhance artistic intent and communicate specific points of view/Art Learning: Interpretation and historical content/Literacy: Art language, cyanotype, photogram)

• Upon brainstorming and exploring found objects, students will be able to thoughtfully draw, and/or write key features of their objects to generate preliminary ideas/sketches for their cyanotype prints in their sketchbooks. (Bloom’s: Analyze/Standard: Reflect/GLE: Research and plan art and design to create meaning in personal works of art/Art Learning: Conceptual-ideation, expressive features and characteristics of art/Literacy: composition, shape, form, line, value)

Skills:

• Documentation, planning process, creative problem solving.

Art Focus:

• In today's class period, students will be introduced to the process of making a cyanotype print.  Students will see examples of historical and contemporary examples of artists who create cyanotype images, along with different materials that cyanotype can be printed on.  The primary focus of today's lesson is for students to explore their surroundings and find objects that they will be interested in using for their artwork.  Using their skecthbooks, students will create preliminary skecthes and begin to think about potenital compositions for their final prints. 

Literacy Focus:

• Cyanotype, composition, preliminary sketch, found objects, art language

• Found object will be defined to students, and students will use preliminary sketches to formulate ideas for their prints.

• Use of art vocabulary will be encouraged when appropriate.

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In today's class period, students began to plan and explore the Cyanotype printing process.  The class began with a brief presentation showing students some historical and contemporary examples of artists who use this process in their careers.   

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To open the class up for a discussion, Daniel asked the students, "How can you create a photograph without using a camera as a tool?" One student expressed confusion, and stated "I don't know how it is possible! I have never seen anyone take a photo without using a camera." Another student provided a great insight.  They stated, "I see the dress on the board has pictures of people's bones. X-Rays are kind of like pictures without a camera!" The student displayed an excellent job of referencing evidence from the artwork to come to a conclusion.

 

Upon showing the group examples of various artworks, the project was introduced to the students.  Daniel explained that it now the students' turn to create Cyanotype artwork.  He explained that students will go outside to carefully look for objects from nature or the playground that are of interest to them. Now it was up to the group to go outside and explore what the school grounds to see what they could find!

 

   

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These students gravitated towards the edge of the playground to begin their exploration of objects. One student explained, "I am trying to look deeply into the grass, there might be something cool hidden down by the roots. I want to find something unique for this project!" This student displayed deeper observation skills in this part of the class period.  

  

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This group of students found interest in one area of the field.  One student exclaimed, "I have found a whole bunch of clovers! I think this might look awesome on a print, and I really love clovers. They might be my favorite plant." This student expressed putting personal interest in her artwork today. 

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These students displayed their findings to their teachers.  The student on the left explained, "I found these leaves and thought they could be neat, but I really want to try printing my shoe! I think it might look good in the end." This student displayed an interest in a variety of different objects for her artwork.  The student on the right stated, "I just started picking up a bunch of different things. I think the shapes of the rocks and the leaves might be interesting together." The student explored a various shapes when looking for their objects.

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After spending a few moments outside exploring the playground for various objects, the students gathered up and went back to the classroom.  At this point in the class period, students began planning in their sketchbook different ways to arrange what they found for their prints.  Students were asked to consider multiple different arrangements to plan their Cyanotype prints.  

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This student looked puzzled when trying to piece together their objects. "I am just not sure what I should do, I don't know how to draw these." After conversing with a teacher and thinking about different ways to plan his artwork, the student exclaimed, "It makes sense now! I can move around the objects and then draw them, I was trying to do it the other way. I like looking at things when I draw them." This student displayed problem solving skills when creating a composition for their print.   

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This student stated, "I think that this piece of grass is neat since it has some fuzzy stuff at the end.  I definitely want to use it for my print next week. I also like that it is like a big ling line." The student observed expressive features of the object that they found to describe what is interesting to them. 

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One student expressed excitement when they were sketching and planning for their art. They expressed, "I like the shape of this leaf. It is pretty big and has rough edges, I will definitely use this one when I make my print.' This student used their observation skills to envision ideas for their final print. Another student stated in the process of planning, "I gathered a bunch of small things, but when I combine them together it creates an interesting design." This student demonstrated innovative ways to combine materials to make something new. 

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This student explored their materials and realized what could be created with them.  They commented,"I enjoy drawing and making faces. I looked at the things I picked up outside and realized I could make a cyclops face! I want to make a face print next week.  This student did an excellent job of exploring materials and applying their own personal interests in their artwork. Be sure to check out the video of the student working!

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This student experimented with a couple of different ideas in their planning process. The student explained, "I finished one sketch but I thought it would be a good idea to come up with another plan. I like my first sketch but it might not turn out the way that I think it will, so now I'm coming up with a new sketch." This student displayed stretching their ideas and exploring new possibilities. 

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This student commented, "I have a lot of things from outside so right now I am tracing them. I just want to see all of the different shapes they have to see if I want to use them." The student demonstrated careful observation to envision the final print for their artwork. Be sure to look at the video of the student working! 

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This student expressed interest in shape when planning in their sketchbook.  They explained, "I put these leaves together to make an arch.  I like the way it looks on paper, so I think I will try this for my print." This student demonstrated innovate ways to combine materials to create a unique composition in their artwork. Check out the video of the student planning in their sketchbook!

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At this point in the class, the students began cleaning up their workstations and storing their materials to use for next week's class.  The students gathered around one table to watch Daniel demonstrate the process of creating a Cyanotype print and proper safety procedures.

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Once the Cyanotype chemical was applied, given time to dry, and found objects were arranged on the paper the group went outside to expose the light sensitive paper to light and see how the print turned out!

 

 

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The students were dazzled by this part of the process.  One student exclaimed, "Wow! It is turning blue almost immediately!" Another student stated, "I am excited to do this next week, this is really cool!" Be sure to look at next week's class blog to see what the students create for their own Cyanotype prints!

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