CyberMuse Teachers - Lesson Plans
An Introduction to Pictorial Space

Lesson Plan Activity:
The Tools of Perspective : Grade 4-6

Summary

Description:

This lesson introduces students to the study of pictorial space by considering some European paintings in the National Gallery of Canada?s collection. Students learn to make a traditional drawing grid that will assist them in understanding perspective in their own drawings.

Theory:

Students will understand how to use a grid to depict the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.

Creation:

Students will identify and use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and processes to depict a landscape.

Analysis:

Students will describe how art tools, materials and techniques affect their own artistic choices.

Cross Curriculum Links:

This lesson plan also explores the subject areas of language arts, history and geography, mathematics and science and technology..

Duration:

3- 20 minute periods

Look & Discuss

Present and discuss a selection of the 10 featured artworks in the Artwork & Artists slideshow with your class, in particular Canaletto?s St. Mark?s and the Clock Tower, Venice. Canaletto used perspective aids to help him create his detailed perspective paintings.

Materials

    • Acetate
    • Transparency film or mylar
    • Wood
    • Cardboard or plastic
    • Permanent pen
    • Ruler
    • Drawing materials of your choice, including pastel, pencil, coloured pencil or graphite sticks
    • Drawing paper.

Create

Create Activity Image 1

Have students select a sheet of Mylar or acetate, normally the sheets can be purchased in letter-size formats.

Create Activity Image 2

Ask students to create sheets with rounded-off measurements, like 22 X 28 cm, that will be easier to score. Any remaining space can be used to create a holder to keep the sheet rigid.

Create Activity Image 3

Have students measure and mark 4 or 2 cm distances along each side. The working format will be 22 X 28 cm. Using a very thin black permanent marker, students score the sheets to create a grid.

Create Activity Image 4

Once the grid is complete, have students attach it to a window and use it to view their subject.

Create Activity Image 5

Ask students to select another sheet of blank paper and create a grid, using the same measurements, with a light pencil (2h, 3h, or 4h). This sheet will be used for their drawing.

Create Activity Image 6

Have students view their subject through their transparent grid and transfer what they see onto their paper.

Create Activity Image 7

Ask students to keep the position of their head relatively constant and their distance from the grid consistent when they draw.

Create Activity Image 8

Once students complete their contour drawing, they can use pastels or colour pencils to finish their drawing.

Take it Further

To create a more stable Draftman?s net, students can fabricate a frame out of wood and use tightened cord to create the grid lines. Traditionally, artists would also use an eye piece to have a consistent view point for their eye, so that the drawings would be even more precise. Show students a detail of Albrecht Dürer?s print of the subject.

Assessment Guide

1 2 3

Theory Criterion
To what extent does the student understand how to use a grid to depict the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface?

The student demonstrates little understanding about how to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a two dimensional surface.

The student demonstrates understanding about how to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a two dimensional surface.

The student demonstrates thorough understanding about how to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a two dimensional surface.

Creation Criterion
How well has the student depicted a landscape using a draftsman?s net

The student has had difficulty constructing a net and is able to use it, with difficulty, in their drawing project.

The student has been able to construct a net and is able to use it in their drawing project.

The student has been able to construct a draftsman?s net and has effectively used it as an aid in their drawing.

Analysis Criterion
How well has the student described how art tools, materials and techniques affect their own artistic choices?

The student can describe, in a limited way, how tools, materials and techniques affect their artistic choices.

The student can describe and explain how tools, materials and techniques affect their artistic choices.

The student can describe and explain, in detail, how tools, materials and techniques affect their artistic choices.