Adventures in space with Frank Stella. (Middle School).

In our county art program, sixth grade students study value and shading. This study usually culminates in a chalk pastello drawing of at least six shaded forms, which we call "Forms in Space." This year I wanted to take the concept of value and shading one step further, to the painting stage. Students would be mixing tints and shades to give their forms a three-dimensional effect. Then I thought of a large poster I had of Frank Stella standing next to a gigantic, vibrantly painted shape mural, shapes jutting out in different directions. Having the class assemble a painted Stella-style mural could lead the lesson in a fun and cooperative way.

Inspired by Art

After a brief introduction to Frank Stella, the artist and his work, I announced the assignment for the day. Each student cut out a basic form--sphere, cone, rectangular solid, or ellipse--out of a large piece of poster board. I demonstrated how to do this, providing tracers for the circle outlining the sphere (since no one can draw a perfect circle), and showing how to cut symmetrical shapes on the fold.

After the shapes were cut out, I showed students how to mix tints and shades on a Styrofoam tray, using one basic color plus black and white. Then I chose one of the shapes to paint as an example. I started with the lightest of tints and added one or two drops of color in a small blob of white. Before their eyes the fiat cutout shape began to take on the illusion of a three-dimensional form. I showed them other examples of painted shapes that I had made. They were eager to begin mixing and painting.

Assembly Required

Each student painted at least one large form. Many completed two. They loved mixing colors on a "palette" and were careful to mix from light to dark. As each shape was finished, we taped it up to the wall, randomly at first, and later with balance and the final composition in mind. Many of the painted shapes did not look three-dimensional at first, but when most of the shapes were up on the wall and we stepped back, it all popped out.

"Oohs" and "ahs" followed as people passed by our freshly assembled mural. Students had not only learned about value and shading, but also about mixing color. We all learned what Frank Stella meant when he declared, "Painting does not want to be confined. It needs room to move and breathe."

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

Above:

Two slides of Forms in Space assembled mural. Mr. Garrahan's Grade 5/6, Louise Archer Elementary School, tempera paint on poster board. One viewed with Frank Stella poster.

Lil Cooney is an art teacher at Louise Archer Elementary School in the Fairfax County Public Schools, Vienna, Virginia. [e-mail]