Casey Doyon

SLM 521

Created 7-5-02

 

 

Web Drop in #4 - Watercolor Artist Critique

 

Grade level: 9-12

 

Introduction: 

 

We have just finished a lesson on watercolors.  One question students always ask during a lesson is, "what can I do with my art skills?"  Professional artists have perfected their skills enough to become artisans.  Artisans use their craft, create art and sell it for profit.  This sometimes is their only income.  The activity I will have students do is guided by two of these types of artists.

 

Jodi Jensen and Paul Brent are two artists who use their art for there sole income.  They both are watercolor artists.  They have sold their watercolors as original prints, posters, wallpaper and more.  I would like you to visit their web sites and view their work.  I am going to have you write about what you find interesting about their watercolor artwork.

 

 

Activity:

 

  1. View Jodi Jensen’s site.  Pick out a piece of artwork you would like for your room.  You must select from the three areas- bunnies & kittens, florals and holiday prints.  Print out the picture you like best.

http://www.jodijensen.com/Pages/prev_prints/prints_index.html

 

 

  1. View Paul Brent’s site.  Pick out a piece of artwork you would like for your room. There are many categories to choose from.  Use the shop by category area to view the artwork.  Print out the picture you like best.

http://www.paulbrent.com/shop/index.html

 

 

  1. Write a critique on why you choose the piece of art you did from Jodi Jensen’s site.  Then write about why you think Jodi has been successful as professional artist.  Make sure you have critical reasoning – like what we use during in-class critiques.  For example you can talk about composition, motif, color, technique, etc…  Your critique should be no less then 200 words.

 

  1. Write a critique on why you choose the piece of art you did from Paul Brent’s site.  Then write about why you think Paul has been successful as professional artist.  Make sure you have critical reasoning – like what we use during in-class critiques.  For example you can talk about composition, motif, color, technique, etc…  Your critique should be no less then 200 words.

 

 

 

 

As a follow up to this activity, I would ask the students that I felt had the best critiques to present these to the class.  I would use this exercise to help increase the awareness of what is useful language when critiquing artwork.