New Mexico Thistle

New Mexico Thistle Collage PresentationStrand B: Resource 1Teacher

New Mexico ThistleScientific Name : Cirsium neomexicanumFamily: Asterceae, Sunflower FamilyAlso Called: Desert Thistle, Utah Thistle, Foss Thistle, Powderpuff ThistleBiennial: blooms twice a year following winter and spring rains, then again after summer monsoon.Habitat: plains, mesas, rocky hillsides, foothills, roadsides. This plant attracts bees, wasps, and butterflies.

Our inspiration…..

Elements of Art:

LINE – a mark or stroke made on or in a surface.SHAPE – a 2-D (flat) enclosed area.FORM – a 3-D object with height, width and depth or the illusion of 3 dimensions.SPACE – the area above, below, around, and within a piece of artwork, and the illusion of depth or space on a flat surface.COLOR – the visible range of reflected light.TEXTURE – surface quality; how something feels or appears to feel.VALUE – how dark or light something is

In this project, we are going to focus on :LINESHAPEFORMTEXTURE

But first, we need to talk about COMPOSITION.

Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art. It is HOW your art is made up. Why do you think it is important to put effort into your composition when making art?

Let’s try applying the RULE OF THIRDS to these composition variations……

Step 1: Make a preparatory sketch of your composition. Apply the Rule of Thirds. Let’s look at how I did in my sketch…..

Step 2. Thinking about SHAPE – make clouds using white paper and special scissors. What shapes do you want to create for your clouds. Also think about LINE – what kind of outline do they have?

Step 3. Thinking about LINE – make 6-9 lines with green paint. These will be the stems of your thistles. What are the qualities of the lines? Thick, thin, wavy, curved, bent, etc.

Step 4. Thinking about TEXTURE, add a blob of green paint, then use a stick to scratch in the heads of the thistles. What is their texture? Sharp, hairy, pointy, etc.? How can you add visual texture?

Step 5. Working with TEXTURE again, use squares of tissue paper to create the thistle flowers.

Also think about FORM – how full are the thistles? What is their volume?

Step 6. Makes leaves for the stems using paper and patterned scissors. Think about SHAPE, LINE, TEXTURE.

Let’s recap the process….

1. Make a quick preparatory sketch to plan your composition.2. Cut clouds – pay attention to FORM and SHAPE3. Paint stems – what kind of LINES are you making?4. Paint flower heads – how do you make TEXTURE with

paint?5. Add thistle flowers – how do you make TEXTURE with

paper?6. Cut leaves – how do you make TEXTURE with patterned

scissors?7. Glue leaves down.

What are we going to learn?

Our learning objectives are outlined by NM Visual Arts Standards. Here are your goals for this project:

• I can apply the elements of art in assigned visual arts problems. (VA1A.b)• I can select a variety of materials, tools, and techniques for producing desired artistic

results(VA.1B.a)• I can use art materials and tools safely and responsibly. (VA.1C)

How will we be assessed?