Greek Pottery

 

 

LESSON OBJECTIVE:  Student will become familiar with significant artists, styles and periods in art history and cultural history (FA 5).

 

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

1.    Students will demonstrate drawing techniques, such as using ellipsis in order to achieve correct perspective.

2.    Students will work with the elements and principles of art to create a unique urn inspired by ancient Greek Art.

Students will be inspired by Greek Art and personally interpret the Greek style into their own work.

 

 

STORY PROBLEM:  Imagine you are a potter in ancient Greece.  It is your job to make a special urn for your family.  Your urn should tell a story about something that has happened in your lifetime. 

Below is a list of ideas to help you get started:

á      personal time in your life

á      personal accomplishment or celebration

á      a family tradition

á      a portrait of your family

á      events you/family participate in

á      family vacation

á      community involvement

á      current event that happened in history during your life

 

What other ideas do you have?

 

Figures found on pottery representing the Greek Olympic Games, 525 BC                                   

 

 

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

 

1.    Watch the power point presentation on Greek Art and take notes.  Pay close attention to the section on Greek Pottery.

 

2.    Fold a sheet of 12Ó x 18Ó newsprint in half to establish your line of symmetry.

 

3.    Next, draw a symmetrical vase inspired by Greek pottery.  Be sure to include a handle, the foot, and lid to your urn.  Make it large enough to fill the paper.

 

4.    Think about the patterns and figures you see on ancient Greek urns.  On the body of your urn be sure to include several decorative bans filled with patterns, floral designs, and motifs.  Be sure to include not only geometric patterns but also organic patterns.

 

5.    Leave the body of your urn to tell your family story.  What kinds of events have happened in your family or your lifetime?  Pick something that you can illustrate on your Greek inspired urn.  Remember your figures do not need to look realistic, but can be stylized.  You may also include animals or make believe creatures.  Draw your story on the body of your urn.

 

6.    Get your drawing approved by the teacher. 

 

7.    Choose either orange or black construction paper and place it under your newsprint drawing.  To transfer your design to the construction paper, use a pencil or ball point pen and press hard over your lines again.  You should see an indention in the paper.

 

8.    Think about the colors you have seen in Greek pottery.  Remember Greek pottery was classified as red-figured or black-figured.  Use Greek inspired oil pastel colors to add color to your design.  Make sure to use negative space (the color of the paper) in your design too!

 

9.    Cut out your pottery shape and place your name and heading on the back. 

 

10. Fill out a self-assessment scoring guide and turn in for a grade.

 

Achilles binding the wounds of his friend, Patroclos from a 500 BC kylix cup now located in the Museum of Berlin.