What are the simplest units or elements of a two-dimensional art work?   How do artists organize the elements? 

How do you analyze the art elements and their organization, which appear beneath an image? 

Activity A.  Students review the seven elements:  line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space.  H.3.1

Activity B.  Students will use shape and a neutral color to make a simple cut paper design (Design #1) based on their reproduction. H.8.2

Activity C.  Students review the ways the elements are organized in an art work – the principles of design:  balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial), dominance, similar, variety, contrast, rhythm, movement, repetition, proportion.  They discuss how they organized their own cutout design. H.3.1

Activity D.  Students make a design of their choice (Design #2).  It must be balanced, use several repeated shapes of different sizes (similar and variety); must include either a feeling of rhythm, movement, or dominance. H.8.2

Activity E.  After practicing analyzing “American Gothic” as a class. students will analyze their painting by writing about the most important elements the artist used.  They will then tell how each element is organized, using complete sentences with correct spelling and grammar. H.3.1  

Activity F.  Students will review elements and principles of design and take a quiz.

Handout:  Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting an Artwork.

Materials:  Construction paper in tan and gray.  Paper and pencil.

Evaluation:  Designs will be graded on careful arrangements of shapes and neatness of cutting and pasting.  Writing will be evaluated according to creativity and mechanics (spelling, grammar).

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