Abstract Expressionism Collage

Submitted by: Ken Schwab, formerly of Leigh High School, San Jose CA
Unit: Painting/Collage - Robert Rauschenberg
Lesson Plan: Abstract Expressionism
Grade Level: High school 9 through 12
Ken's Web Site: http://www.artteacherplans.com/

Objectives: Students will

1. Gain an understanding and appreciation of abstract expressionism - Learn how an artist works/gets ideas.

2. Combine collage with painting techniques to create a composition around a selected theme.

3. Integrate technology - use Internet to locate images.

4. Employ elements and principles of design in creation of abstract composition.

Materials:

Canvas Rolls (Stretched Canvas / stretcher strips or Canvas Panels), Acrylic Paint, Collage items, photos, printouts
Drawing Pencils, Brushes- assorted sizes flats and round (brights)
White Glue (or Acrylic Gloss Medium), Scissors

Resources:

Robert Rauschenberg Online | Pop Art | Abstract Expressionism

Jasper Johns - http://www.whitney.org/Collection/JasperJohns
This work is somewhat autobiographical. Close-up of Racing Thoughts http://www.artchive.com/artchive/J/johns/racing.jpg.html

DVD: Robert Rauschenberg - Man at Work

DVD: Robert Rauschenberg - Inventive Genius

Books

Rauschenberg: Art and Life - This revised edition of the classic biography of the artist, first published in 1994, adds 36 new pages to cover the significant moments in the last ten years of his career, including his monumental career retrospective at the Guggenheim in 1997.

Robert Rauschenberg (Moma Artist Series) - This new volume in the MoMA Artist Series, which explores important artists and favorite works in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, guides readers through a dozen of the artist's most memorable achievements.

Instruction/Motivation:

1. Present work of Robert Rauschenberg (through slides or Power Point). Discuss/critique art prints.

• Retroactive 1
• Quote
• Favor Rites

2. Show video of Rauschenberg at work (if available).

3. Present the idea of "theme". Instruct students to look for photographs and found objects from home.

4. Give students time on the Internet to locate images. Students who do not need images may do research on Rauschenberg.

5. Demonstrate collage technique (transfers may also be made as indicated on Liquitex Site). Review painting techniques.

Procedures:

1. Look at the work of Robert Rauschenberg. Study the use of large painted areas with collages of pictures and found items. Examine the use of vertical and horizontal movement and quick, loose brush strokes. Find a theme or concept to paint. Collect pictures and/or real items to use in the collage. If you are using the Internet, the printers today do not all use waterproof inks so these will blur, but who cares! It is expressionistic and this is OK to blur.

2. Plan out the placement of the pictures to have an area of emphasis and to create directional movement and rhythm. Remove these and start with some quick brush strokes to set the paintings movement and direction. Follow this with the lamination of the photos and printouts, using white glue and a big brush. Layer the glue and water over and under the photos quickly so as not to blur them. (Gloss acrylic medium may also be used. Apply a thin layer of medium to canvas - smooth on image and allow to dry. When dry - brush medium over the images - this limits blurring the printer ink. Students may want to try the method explained by Liquitex). Student who do not want their images to blur may have them printed on a laser printer or color photocopier (as these inks will not blur as much). Collage elements could be added from magazines or old books.

3. After these dry begin to paint into the pictures and outside of them to tie these together. Balancing of values, colors and shapes will help pull it all together. Keep loose and free acrylic will cover itself and it is only finished when you decide.

4. Adding of real objects and things can be done with a hot glue gun. Remember to have fun and think of compositional rules. Take a look at Rauschenberg examples often to point out good design and composition as well as his technique.

Evaluation:

1. Did students show an understanding of the work of Robert Rauschenberg - Were they able to critique selected works and see how the elements and principles of design apply?

2. Did students employ the elements and principles of design to create an abstract composition around a selected theme combining collage with painting?