Pointillism Paintings

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Fiona Black

Unit of Study: Art History

Subject: Art

Grade: 2nd

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*Designed for 2nd grade but is flexible! I have used with 1st-3rd.

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The Big Idea: 

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Using small repeating shapes to create a larger image.

 

Specific Essential Questions addressed in this lesson:

 

What do you think the word pointillism might mean? How might artists make these small dots? How might lots of smaller shapes make up a larger image?

 

Learning Outcomes/Expectations/Objectives:

 

As a result of this lesson, students will understand that smaller shapes can often be used to make up a larger image (and you can see this image if you take a step back and look at it from farther away).

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As a result of this lesson, students will know that pointillism in as art style in which small repeating dots and circles are used to create larger images.

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As a result of this lesson, students will be able to create a painting in the style of pointillism using q-tips and paint.

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Learning Activities:

 

Introduction/Opening (5 minutes)

Introduce students to the word 'pointillism' and discuss the word 'point' (the tip or point of a pencil - this being the part of the paintbrush that is used to create these small dots). Show a slideshow of images that gives students a perspective on painting in the style of pointillism (zooming in slowly to see each individual dot). Ask students what kinds of shapes and colors they're seeing when we look closely at these paintings.

 

Demonstration (5 minutes)

Encourage students to sketch their artwork in pencil first, then fill in those shapes with the paint. Show students how to use q-tips like a stamp to make small dots to fill in their shapes. Remind students that if they draw small shapes they won't be able to fit enough dots inside the shape, so think big! Keep dots close together so that you can best see the shape when you step back.

 

Transition: Send students to seats to begin working.

 

Activity (25 minutes)

Student will work during this time and can make more than one painting if they finish before the class is over.

 

Cleanup (5 Minutes)

Give students instructions for clean up; where to put work and materials.

 

Materials needed for the lesson:

• q tips [around 10 per student]

• washable paint

• pencils [one per student]

• paper (~5x7) [around 3 per student]

 

Teacher Materials needed for demonstration:

• a few q tips

• washable paint

• one piece of paper (~5x7)

• pencil

 

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