Captivating Pumpkin Art: Unleash Your Students' Creativity with Beatriz Milhazes-inspired Elementary Art Lessons

 Students will learn about the Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes, her use of bright colors, geometric patterns, and floral motifs, and apply these elements to create their own pumpkin drawings.

Materials:

• White drawing paper (8.5" x 11" or larger)

• Pencils and erasers

• Black markers or crayons

• Brightly colored markers, crayons, or watercolor paints

• Circular stencils or various-sized lids for tracing circles (optional)

• Reference images of Beatriz Milhazes' work (optional)

  
  

  1. Introduce Beatriz Milhazes:

     • Show examples of her vibrant, geometric, and floral works.

     • Discuss her style, focusing on her bold use of colors and patterns.

  2. Show Examples:

     • Display a few pieces by Milhazes and highlight the key elements: bright colors, overlapping shapes, floral patterns, and a sense of rhythm and movement.

  Activity Steps (30-35 mins):

  1. Draw the Pumpkin Shape:

     • Start by drawing a large, simple pumpkin shape in the center of the paper using a pencil.

     • Encourage the students to make their pumpkin big to fill most of the paper.

       
       

       1. Divide with Geometric Patterns:

          • Using circular stencils or lids, draw different-sized circles within the pumpkin shape to create sections.

          • Add other geometric shapes like triangles, squares, and wavy lines in some sections.

       2. Outline with Black:

          • Trace over all the pencil lines with black markers or crayons to create bold outlines.

       3. Decorate with Patterns:

          • Inside each geometric section, draw floral motifs, stripes, or any decorative patterns inspired by Milhazes’ work.Encourage students to use their creativity to fill each section with different designs.

            1. Color the Sections:

               • Use bright, contrasting colors to fill in the geometric sections and patterns.

               • Make sure to use a variety of colors to make the pumpkin vibrant and dynamic.

            2. Add a Background:

               • Draw and color simple geometric or floral patterns in the background to complement the pumpkin.

               • This will enhance the overall look and feel of the artwork, making it cohesive and lively.

            Conclusion (5 mins):

            • Display the completed Milhazes-inspired pumpkins around the room.

            • Have a quick discussion about how students felt using bright colors and patterns.

            • Encourage students to share what they enjoyed the most about combining Milhazes’ style with their pumpkin drawings.

            Reflection:

            • Ask students what they found easy or challenging about this activity.

            • Talk about how art from different cultures can inspire new and exciting creations.

Elementary Drawing Lesson - Pumpkin Sugar Skull - Halloween

 Pumpkin Drawing - Sugar Skull

Lesson Plan: Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Pumpkins

Grade Level: 3rd - 5th Grade
Duration: 1 hour
Objective: Students will learn about the Day of the Dead and create drawings of pumpkins decorated like Day of the Dead skulls.

Materials Needed:

• Drawing paper
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Black markers or fine-tip pens
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
• Images of Day of the Dead skulls and pumpkins for inspiration

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Discussion: Start with a brief discussion about the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). Explain that it is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
2. Visuals: Show images of traditional Day of the Dead skulls (calaveras) and decorated pumpkins. Highlight the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolic elements like flowers and skulls.

Activity Instructions (40 minutes):

1. Sketching the Pumpkin Shape: Have students draw the outline of a pumpkin on their paper. Encourage them to make it large enough to add detailed decorations.
2. Designing the Skull Face: Inside the pumpkin outline, students will draw a skull face. They can include elements like eyes, nose, mouth, and other decorative patterns typical of Day of the Dead skulls.
3. Adding Details: Students can add additional decorations around the skull face, such as flowers, swirls, and other patterns. Encourage creativity and the use of traditional Day of the Dead motifs.
4. Outlining and Coloring: Once the design is complete, students can outline their drawings with black markers or fine-tip pens. Then, they can color their drawings using bright, bold colors typical of Day of the Dead decorations.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

1. Show and Tell: Have students share their drawings with the class and explain the elements they included in their designs.
2. Reflection: Discuss what they learned about the Day of the Dead and how it influenced their artwork.

Assessment:

• Participation in the discussion and activity
• Creativity and effort in the drawing
• Understanding of Day of the Dead traditions as demonstrated in their designs

Extension Activities:

• Writing Assignment: Have students write a short paragraph about the significance of the Day of the Dead and what they learned from the lesson.
• Class Display: Create a classroom display of the drawings along with information about the Day of the Dead.