Lesson At A Glance

Here’s a brief overview of the complete lesson. It’s also on your prep page in the Ready, Set, Go! section (below the lesson).

Colored buttons jump to each section in the full lesson plan below.

10 Min – Draw wrapped present

7 min – Use simple outline picture

10 min – Prepare for acrylic painting on canvas

10 min – Use canvas pencil – lightly

 15 min – Use PDF to practice colors

35 min – Work on the gift picture

10 min – Add shadow and other background

5 min – Make wrapping paper

2 Min – Everyone helps

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All materials are suggestions and may be modified as you see fit. We have tried many items, and these seem to allow the most versatility for the cost.

Students will do two speed drawings, 30 seconds each.

Vertical Lines! 

The lines on the sides of the box angle out at the top and in at the bottom, but this is hard for younger students. Instead, tell young students to make all of the up and down lines, STRAIGHT up and down, PARALLEL with the sides of the page. Young artists will often draw the sides of a cube shape with lines that lean in as they go up. They are trying to make the perspective look 3D and this is very common. Don’t chastise them for something that may look obviously wrong to you, and is actually the opposite of the reference. Simply point out that straight lines are good, and match the sides – parallel with the sides of the pad or paper. Some students will still not get it. Don’t worry, just let it go!

For students who are older, they may be able to see that the up and down lines actually converge towards the center at the bottom, so encourage trying to draw it that way. This shows 3-point perspective. However, this is hard for many, so don’t push it too much.

Switch students to a five-minute sketch

Have your artists switch to graphite pencils, and do a longer drawing using the same reference. Continue to point out the vertical lines.

After,  Look at the “Cube Tricks” at the bottom of the reference page.

Pinterest Gallery – Cube Shapes In Art

Tap the icon to the left to open our special Pinboard showing examples of artwork to display to your class. See our Article for making Pinterest work on larger displays. You can also use a laptop or large tablet and gather everyone around like you’re using a book.

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Adjusting Shapes (tap any image to open viewer)

Have everyone make one more simple outline without a ribbon or bow.

Use simple outline version to see how your drawing compares. Erase and adjust lines as needed.

Use this last drawing to move students into using the Cube Tricks.

Walk the room and show where to move points.

View the slideshow above ahead of class, so you can make these points on the work of students who are having trouble. Ask if it’s ok before you draw on their work.

You can show this slideshow, but because everyone’s cubes will be different, it’s best to help each one individually if you can.

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Brushes should be nylon for springiness and durability. Round brushes are the most versatile.

Paint pigment list:

• Napthol or Pyrrol Red
• Hansa or Light Yellow
• Pthalo Green (blue shade)
• Cyan or Cerulean Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• Dioxazine Purple
• Magenta
• Burnt Umber
• Raw Sienna
• Titanium White (professional grade only)

Students set up their work area.

Ask several people to go get water tubs filled, and others to find smocks. That way you have two or three groups in different areas so you don’t get backed up with lines.

Students set up their canvas.

Tape a sheet of canvas to a drawing board.

Canvas DEMO Steps – 6 images (tap any image to open viewer)

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Keep the lines very light and use the canvas pencil

Check carefully to make sure your students don’t get a graphite pencil. The graphite mixes with paint and can be harder to erase too.

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Student complete the handout. Note that these are mostly about shadow colors.

Acrylic paints are used by painting the dark areas first, and then adding lighter and lighter areas. This seems backwards, but produces better looking work.

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 Walk the room and help students as needed.

Use water to keep paints smooth. Show new students how to bend bristles and get a nice sharp edge, and also to get enough paint for good coverage.

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Mix gray colors for the OFF shadow.

Mix up a blue/grey color using ultramarine and some burnt umber. Add white, and keep adding more white as you paint further away from the package, to lighten the shadow. Paint white all around the package.

It is important to not leave raw canvas.

The white gesso is not paint. It has a dim grayness to it and is a different shininess than good white paint. Add the white all around. Early finishers can add lettering to the top if they like, and a colored background at the top. Do not change the background around the shadow from white, because the shadow is a white surface shadow.

Move around the room, asking permission to help and encouraging your students.

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This is a great way to use paints up and make something fun and useful. However, make sure you have a place to dry large sheets of paper with paint all over them. If you have a wall that you can hang them where people won’t brush against them for an hour or so, that can work great.

Make fun designs with either brushes or stamps.

Use leftover acrylic paint colors to make a simple polka dot or similar design on brown kraft paper or white butcher block paper. Colors with white in them will cover the brown paper well.

Stars made with crossing lines are fun. So are spirals and Christmas tree shapes. Keep it simple with lots of white space and a loose and open pattern. Do not try to paint scenes on the paper. Think about wallpaper designs. 

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Students set up their work area.

• Wash hands
• Super-wash brushes if used
• Put art supplies away
• Wipe tables & toss trash
• Remove any smocks (last)
• Check for items on floors and tables

Try to get photos of your student’s artwork. Find a good spot for quick lighting without highlights or shadows from your hands and device. Ideally in-between two strong lights on each side.

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Today’s lesson has two targets: learning the cube shape, and mixing shadow colors. Both are important, but the mixing colors component is more of the focus today.

Print all of your PDFs from the lesson plan and cut any references apart as needed.

STUDENT’S

MATERIALS

• 14” x 17” Sketch Pad
• Charcoal
• 4B Pencil
• White and kneaded erasers
• Canvas pad
• Painter’s tape
• Acrylic paints
• Palette pad
• Brushes
• Canvas pencil

Week 18: Recycled Ornaments

Students enjoy a fun and artistic project along with a holiday party. Used plastic water bottles are re-used to create a unique, environmentally friendly, hand-painted Christmas tree ornament. The tops of two bottles are cut off and the artists paint the inside using acrylic paints. The exterior looks like beautifully colored glass, and when the two pieces are taped together, they make a nice classic ornament shape. Even the cap ring is used for a hanger. Ribbon is attached and used to hide the taped connection.

Week 19: Magazine Covers

Students have tons of fun creating, designing, and illustrating their own personalized magazine cover in any subject they want.

Use this button to view our parent’s blog. Share the link: http://parentart.org, with your student’s parents so your they can read about the lesson each week.