A Lesson on Surrealism

Jr. High - High School Lesson                                by Beth Macre
Surrealism and Salvador Dali

This project is an introduction to Surrealism, Salvador Dali, Renee Magritte (or other Surrealist artists that you have examples of...)

Salvador Dali – ‘Persistence of Memory’ 
Known for Surrealism and his famous painting with the melting clocks. 

  ● For a short Bio of Salvador Dali and short video about his life, click on this link: 
             Biography: Salvador Dali

  ● For the official Salvador Dali website, Click here for: SalvadorDali.com 

"Pink"
by Beth S Macre

Assignment: Create a 

Mixed Media Collage that creates a unified theme using a variety of pictures and graphics from magazines. 

Steps to Assignment:

1. Go through magazines and cut out 10-20 images that:

    ● can be combined to create and tell

       a story.

    ● are interesting and colorful

    ● easy to cut out. (definite edges)

    ● graphic designs (letters shapes)

2. Choose a theme based on the    pictures that you have cut out.

    ● Brainstorm ideas with pictures.

    ● Find more pictures to complete the

       story.

3. Temporarily tape pictures onto the

    background paper (18x24 paper)

    ● Use one small piece of tape, 

       rolled inside out, to stick the

       picture down, temporarily.

    ● try different compositions before

       finalizing your design.

4. Draw the background, using outlines, in pencil:

    ● Draw lines around your magazine pictures that are taped down.

    ● Drawn background should pull all of the pictures together and tell a story

       and create a unified design.

5. Add color to background with markers (I used the large size Crayola markers)

    ● Color around your pictures that are still temporarily taped on the paper.

       It’s easier to color around them before they are glued down.

    ● Do not color underneath them, as the glue can cause bleeding through the pictures

       on some papers.

6. Glue pictures down when color is added.

    ● Remove tape carefully!  

    ● Glue either by sections, as sections are complete, or when all of the color is  

       finished.

   

Tips for Success:

Make sure that you do not lose or tear your pictures. You could draw outlines where they go (label what goes where) and remove them. 

Store the pictures in an envelope while you are working on the project. 

(We made envelopes with old dot matrix printing paper by folding and stapling the sides, or you could use gallon size Ziploc bags if you have them.)

Cut pictures out neatly, with smooth edges. 

Do not use too much glue, as it causes the paper to bubble. Glue sticks do not, but they do not stick as well. Use whatever type glue you have, but be sure they use it properly.

Vocabulary:

Surrealism         Creativity                  Theme              Collage

Salvador Dali     Graphic Design        Composition     Mixed Media

For more examples, see below:

"It's America"
by Beth S. Macre

"Weird, Wild, World"
by Beth S. Macre

Mrs. Macre ♥ Loves Art!

Tips for working with Plastercraft

Creations with Plastercraft

Another 3 day weekend is over and we are in the last stretch of school until summer break! Seven more weeks!
The end of the year goes by so fast!
By the second semester of the year, my students begin to get bored with all of our usual supplies. We are all tired by this time of year, so it is a great time to pull out the plastercraft.

JimmyBob the Giraffe
Meet one of the 3D Plaster Sculptures that is currently decorating the Art Room. JimmyBob the Giraffe was created by Sam (Samantha). JimmyBob was formed out of a lot of rolled up newspaper. You can see in the second photo how Samantha is adding layers of Plastercraft to the legs of her sculpture.

Preparation Tips for Teachers

1. Size of class matters. 
I teach this lesson to my Art 3 students. Mainly because it is always a smaller class than my Art 1 and Art 2 classes. It is easier to manage the mess and these supplies can get expensive with a large class.

2. Collect Recyclables.

Start a collection of paper towel and toilet paper tubes, newspaper, empty containers made of cardboard. These items can be used to form the foundation of your student's sculptures.

Empty plastic ice cream containers are great for carrying water to student work spaces. I may or may not have eaten lots of ice cream to contribute to this collection.

Let other teachers know what supplies you need. Maybe they can save you from over indulging in ice cream. ;) 

3. Keep a sketchbook.

Have students keep a sketchbook to sketch out their ideas for projects. They should use those sketches to plan the shapes that are needed to put together their sculpture. 

4. Buy masking tape in bulk.

Have plenty of masking tape to tape the shapes together as they are formed. I always purchased masking tape in bulk. It will be used for many projects. 

5. Buy Plastercraft in a large package. 

One small roll does not go very far. I purchase a large box similar to this photo. Whatever you do not use can be used next year. This is a picture of the type I purchased.


For more tips and techniques for using the Plastercraft., visit this post here:
   Up to Our Elbows in Newspaper, tape, and plaster

Now start collecting those paper towel rolls and ice cream buckets!



Mrs. Macre♥Art