Make art time into a mini art history lesson! The following lesson plans detail two different activities that mirror the styles of two famous artists. Included are Jackson Pollack (abstract expressionism), and Pablo Picasso (cubism).
Objectives for the Famous Artist Lesson
- Explore and become familiar with different styles of art.
- Increase art vocabulary skills.
- Increase fine motor development.
- Gain exposure to a variety of art processes.
- Explore art materials.
Grade Level/ Age
This lesson can be used with children ages three and up. Modifications may need to be made based on the actual age of the children.
Pre-planning for a Famous Artist Art Activity
Prior to beginning the activities included in this lesson, try doing some background research on the artists and styles employed. It is not necessary to pour over lengthy articles or read advanced art history books. Instead, do an internet search for some basic talking points. Websites such as ArtLex are a great source of information.
Gathering Images and Using Viewing Explorations
The first step to the activities in the famous artist lesson is to gather images or reproductions of the featured artists and view them with the class. These images can be found in books (try the public library), calendars, poster prints, or art post cards (often sold at museums).
Show the artwork to the children. Ask them to really look at the picture, and then talk about what they see or can find in the image. For very young children simple is the way to go. Ask them to find colors or shapes in the pictures. Additionally, it will be helpful (come art making time) to ask the children how they think that the artist created each picture.
Famous Artist Art Activities
Jackson Pollack- Abstract Expressionism Paint Splatters
The materials needed for this activity include:
- Construction paper or poster board
- Tempera paints
- Paint brushes with long handles
- Optional: twigs, marbles, long feathers, yarn/ribbon
- Newspaper, plastic, or shower curtain
- Smocks
Process steps include:
- Cover the work area (floor works best) with newspaper, plastic, or old shower curtain. Be careful to instruct the children on work space safety to ensure that no one slips. It may be helpful to ask the children not to walk across the plastic or newspaper, but to instead only place their art work on it.
- Place construction paper or poster board on the work space (floor).
- Invite the children to dip their paint brushes into the tempera paint. Make sure that the bristles are covered with a fair amount of paint.
- Ask the children to splatter the paint on the paper.
- Repeat with different colors.
- Optional: Give the children twigs, marbles, yarn, different sizes of brushes, or any other material handy to splatter the paint.
Pablo Picasso - Cubist Collages
The materials needed for this activity include:
- Construction paper
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Glue or glue sticks
Process steps include:
- Ask the children to draw a picture on the construction paper.
- Have the children cut the paper into squares and rectangles.
- Each child should mix up his or her picture shapes.
- Give each child a second piece of paper.
- Have the children collage (glue) the shapes cut from the picture onto the blank piece of paper. The pieces of paper (square and rectangles) should be mixed up.
Famous Artist Lesson Wrap Up
After the art work has been created, and has dried, display the mini-masterpieces in the classroom. Add in a reproduction of an original by the famous artist. Discuss the famous artist and the process used with the children.
The famous artist lesson plan is a great way to introduce the art world to the young child. Search for some background information and images, then discuss the artists with your class. Finally, allow the children to get creative in trying to make their own artist inspired works.
