6th Grade Oil Pastel/Nature Abstractions

OIL PASTELS INSPIRED BY NATURE:

6TH GRADE ART CLASS

Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) was a German biologist, naturalist, philosopher, physician, professor and artist. He named thousands of new species, mapped a genealogical tree relating all life forms, and coined many terms in biology, including the word “ecology”.

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) was an American artist known for paintings that blend abstraction and representation. Her subject matter was chiefly of flowers, rocks, shells, animal bones and landscapes. Her work explores subtle gradations of varying colors, and she often transformed her subject matter into powerful abstract images.

The 6th grade art classes studied the artwork of both Haeckel and O’Keefe to learn about color theory, composition, detail and abstraction. Both Haekel and O’Keefe wanted to help people see and understand the natural world. O’Keefe hoped that her close-up flower paintings would inspire even the busiest New Yorker to “slow down and appreciate nature”.

6th graders responded visually to a wide selection of Haekel’s work and used O’Keefe’s compositional style to create “zoomed-in” abstractions of invented images inspired by nature. Students chose a predominately warm or cool color scheme and used opposite colors for emphasis. The use of Oil Pastel allowed students to create subtle gradations or changes of colors, creating movement within their compositions. Lastly, students painted their artwork with a special “black magic sauce” which was then scratched away in patterns after it dried. The addition of texture and pattern added depth and a bit of mystery to the pastel surface.

Here’s hoping you will take the time to slow down and appreciate both art and nature. ENJOY!!

(a debt of gratitude to master teacher Louis West)