Submitted
by Denise Pannell, Fairview Elementary in Sherwood, OH
UNIT: Drawing - Art of Egypt
Lesson: Draw like an Egyptian
Grade Level: Elementary (Denise did this with 2nd grade)
Materials:
12” X 18” (30.5 x 46 cm) cream or
white tag Board
, pencils,
black permanent markers
, gold, ochre, and
white acrylic paint, sponges
(moistened), pie pans
or styrofoam trays for paint, watercolors, brushes, examples of Egyptians (photos
and handouts), story for back of finished painting
Objectives:
The student will:
- be introduced to Egyptian life and
art
- look at examples of Egyptian
figures and translate them to
their own art work
- use objects other than a brush to
paint (sponges)
- make critical choices pertaining to
color for their paintings
- gain practice in using watercolors
- learn about figure proportion
See
Denise's Sample - Full Figure
Encounter:
- Introduce students to Egyptian
life, including pyramids, tombs, carvings, hieroglyphics, and mummies.
- Show example of an Egyptian figure
and point out the way the feet and head face one direction and the
shoulder and eye are facing another.
- Have
students stand and attempt to stand in this way so they know just how
difficult this would really be. Egyptians thought this pose made the
figure look more important.
- Hand out examples of Egyptian
figure drawings. Students will use these as inspiration for their
drawings, making changes as they go. Add hieroglyphics around the
figure.
- Trace the drawing in black
permanent marker.
- The
next step is to “age” the drawing so it appears ancient. Using a
sponge, the students dip in to the gold and ochre paint and dab onto
their drawings, being careful not to completely cover up their black
lines. White is sponged to areas that are too dark.
- Using watercolors, paint in areas,
very subtly.
- Story is glued to back when
finished. Can be mounted or framed.
Simple
Steps to Post on Board:
- Draw with pencil.
- Trace
with marker.
- Sponge very lightly with gold and
ochre.
- Sponge white to cover dark areas.
- Watercolor using LOTS of water.
Resources
Link: Live cam of Egyptian pyramids (NOTE: The cam has been temporarily taken off-line due to the political turmoil in that country. If it isn't up when you visit, they have an archive of old pyramid images. The image on the bottom of this page is one I took from that cam.)
See other Egyptian IAD lessons:
Egyptian Artifacts
Books
The Ancient Egyptian Culture Revealed
- This book reveals several aspects of the Ancient Egyptian culture, such as the very remote antiquities of Egypt; the Egyptian characteristics and religious beliefs and practices; their social/political system; their cosmic temples; the richness of their language; musical heritage and comprehensive sciences.
The Art of Ancient Egypt
- Spanning three thousand years, this beautifully illustrated history offers a thorough and delightfully readable introduction to Egyptian artwork.
