Keith Haring Gesture Drawing

Keith Haring Gesture Drawing

(to be completed after the round robin gesture drawing lesson)

 
Objectives: (students will be able to)

• 
  Recognize the stylized work of Keith Haring
  
• 
  Demonstrate understanding of the term "gesture drawing" through sketches
  
• 
  Experiment with their own bodies to create interesting poses
  
• 
  Develop a complete piece of art using both Haring's style and the gesture technique
  

Materials:

pencils

12x18 newsprint 

12x18 white paper

markers
Initiation:

PowerPoint presentation of Keith Haring and his work.  "How would you describe the figures you see in these works?" 

Procedures:

• 
  Review the process of gesture drawing with the class.  Explain that they will be using gesture drawing to complete 30 second sketches of their classmates in various poses.  
  
• 
  Have everyone fold their paper so that it is divided into eight sections.  Unfold.
  
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  Teacher goes first.  Pose for the class and start the timer (this gives them an idea of what kind of poses you are looking for, and how long 30 seconds is.)  Students are to draw the pose in the first square, thinking about Haring's style and ignoring details.
  
• 
  Ask for volunteers to come pose next.  (I had them stand on a table so that they were visible and felt important.)  
  
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  After completing 8 sketches, ask students to choose which sketch they like best (offer advice).  
  
• 
  Hand out 12x18 white paper.  Have students redraw their favorite pose in this larger size.  Tell them not to change or correct anything about the pose...the spontaneity is what makes it good.
  
• 
  Use black markers to go over the lines.  Color in the figure with a color of choice, and create a background.  Encourage the use of patterns and texture to create the background. 
  

Closure:

Hang up everyone's artwork.  View as a class.  "Which do you like the best, besides your own?  Why?  What meaning does it convey to you?  Do you think the absence of detail makes it easier or more difficult to express an idea in art? Why?"

Evaluation:

General Rubric.