Grade: Elementary
Subject: Art

#709. Sailing with Edward Hopper

Art, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Nov 19 10:55:33 PST 1998 by Susanne Daley (rid20986@ride.ri.net).

Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Rhode Island
Materials Required: Reproductions of Edward Hopper's Seascapes, Blue, green and white paint.Pastels.12x18const Paper.
Activity Time: Two forty minute sessions
Concepts Taught: Recognition of American Artist Edward Hopper, What is a seascape? Painting and pastel techniques.

1.Students will view and discuss the Seascapes of the American Artist Edward Hopper.They will discuss what a horizen line is.They will look at the foreground and background of the painting.Since my students are from New England we will discuss the artists' relationship to the area.
2.After a short discussion the teacher will demonstrate how to apply assorted shades of blue,green,and white tempera paint to a peice of 12x18 grey construction paper,covering the entire paper.Names nedd to go on the back first!.We use grey but shades of blue would be fine also! The best part of applying the tempera to the entire 12x18, is that no water is needed to wash the 3/4 inch brush.Students will paint untill there is no more paint on their brush.
3.Actual painting time is about 12 minutes.
4.Students keep a folded newspaper under their work to keep the tables/desks from getting too messy.
5.Newspaper stays with the students work until it has dryed.
6.All paints are in yogert containers/Each table has their own beer box with yogert containers full of assorted paints.
7.When paintings are complete we slide them on to the drying rack newapaper and all.Keeping the newspaper with the work prevents the paintings from being floppy when picking them up.
8.During the next class the students will go into their dry painted backgrounds with oil pastels.A short demonstration of how to use pastels will help them understand the concept.
9.Older elementary students can include poetry writing,art journal writing or getting on the internet to research the works of other American Seascape Artists too!My students also have examined the work of Winslow Homer, and Frank Benson.