PowerPoint presentation of lesson inspiration, learning objectives, project steps, and student-friendly assessment rubric.

1. New Mexico Thistle
New Mexico Thistle Collage Presentation
Strand B: Resource 1
Teacher

2. New Mexico Thistle
Scientific Name : Cirsium neomexicanum
Family: Asterceae, Sunflower Family
Also Called: Desert Thistle, Utah Thistle, Foss Thistle,
Powderpuff Thistle
Biennial: blooms twice a year following winter and spring
rains, then again after summer monsoon.
Habitat: plains, mesas, rocky hillsides, foothills, roadsides.
This plant attracts bees, wasps, and butterflies.

3. Our inspiration…..

4. Elements of Art:
LINE – a mark or stroke made on or in a surface.
SHAPE – a 2-D (flat) enclosed area.
FORM – a 3-D object with height, width and depth
or the illusion of 3 dimensions.
SPACE – the area above, below, around, and within a
piece of artwork, and the illusion of depth or space
on a flat surface.
COLOR – the visible range of reflected light.
TEXTURE – surface quality; how something feels or
appears to feel.
VALUE – how dark or light something is

5. In this project, we are going to focus on :
LINE
SHAPE
FORM
TEXTURE
But first, we need to talk about COMPOSITION.
Composition is the placement or arrangement of
visual elements or ingredients in a work of art. It is
HOW your art is made up. Why do you think it is
important to put effort into your composition when
making art?

7. Let’s try applying the RULE OF THIRDS to these composition variations……

8. Step 1: Make a preparatory sketch of your composition. Apply the Rule of Thirds. Let’s
look at how I did in my sketch…..

9. Step 2. Thinking about SHAPE – make clouds using white
paper and special scissors. What shapes do you want to
create for your clouds. Also think about LINE – what
kind of outline do they have?

10. Step 3. Thinking about LINE – make 6-9 lines with green
paint. These will be the stems of your thistles. What are the
qualities of the lines? Thick, thin, wavy, curved, bent, etc.

11. Step 4. Thinking about TEXTURE, add a blob of green paint, then
use a stick to scratch in the heads of the thistles. What is their
texture? Sharp, hairy, pointy, etc.? How can you add visual
texture?

13. Step 5. Working with TEXTURE
again, use squares of tissue paper to
create the thistle flowers.

14. Also think about FORM – how full are the
thistles? What is their volume?

15. Step 6. Makes leaves for the stems using paper and patterned
scissors. Think about SHAPE, LINE, TEXTURE.

17. Let’s recap the process….
1. Make a quick preparatory sketch to plan your
composition.2. Cut clouds – pay attention to FORM and
SHAPE
3. Paint stems – what kind of LINES are you making?
4. Paint flower heads – how do you make TEXTURE with
paint?
5. Add thistle flowers – how do you make TEXTURE with
paper?
6. Cut leaves – how do you make TEXTURE with patterned
scissors?
7. Glue leaves down.

18. What are we going to learn?
Our learning objectives are outlined by NM Visual Arts Standards.
Here are your goals for this project:
• I can apply the elements of art in assigned visual arts problems. (VA1A.b)
• I can select a variety of materials, tools, and techniques for producing desired artistic
results(VA.1B.a)
• I can use art materials and tools safely and responsibly. (VA.1C)

19. How will we be assessed?