This lesson is not my lesson, but one borrowed from an amazing teacher, Thomas W. Darneau. We both belong to an art education group on Facebook. I have learned so much from teachers who share their lessons in cyber-space. I greatly appreciate this forum because I don’t have the opportunity to collaborate with other art teachers very often. I feel I have learned more from art teachers around the world than I have during professional development days with paid speakers. The digital world has really brought us all closer.
I am using this project as an introduction project with my advanced students. I have enjoyed this project because it has given me the chance to re-teach some basic techniques using graphite or charcoal. I was also able to introduce some basic composition guidelines. My students applied these concepts to their still life photoshoots, which creates their source material. I gave them the choice of using graphite or charcoal. I lean towards charcoal and hope they will to, but I don’t force them to use it. It was a lot of fun to watch them work!