Lesson #6: Creating Mood in a Cityscape

Part of the unit: Painting a Cityscape |

Goals

Aim: 
How can color be used to convey a mood?
Students will be able to:
Select colors to convey a mood in their paintings
Students will understand that:
Artists convey mood through color
Materials

Student paintings, reference materials, tempera paint, assorted brushes, water cans, palettes

Resources

Edward Hopper's The El Station and John Sloan's Sixth Avenue at 3rd Street.

Motivation: 

Display Edward Hopper's The El Station and John Sloan's Sixth Avenue at 3rd Street.

Explain that both of these paintings include a subway platform.

  • In what ways are these paintings different?
  • How can the artist's use of color influence your perception?
Demonstration: 

The teacher will add color to his/her painting, explaining the color choices and use.

Students will continue to work on their paintings.

Select two student paintings that convey different moods. Ask the class to discuss their reactions to the artists' choice of color.

Distribute a teacher-made worksheet:  Divide the paper in half. On the left should be a rectangular solid, a cylinder, and a sphere  shaded to show volume;  on the right should be an outline of each form.  Using a pencil, students will shade in the forms on the right to make them look three-dimensional.