Beeswax Crayon
Portrait Paintings
GRADES 9-12
Cross Curricular: Art and Art History
Lesson Plan and Artwork by Meredith
M
Ose, Art Consultant, VA, MD, D.C.
DESCRIPTION
Post-Impressionism and Fauvism were important art
periods during the 20th century for breaking away from
the natural use of color and form. Post-Impressionists
and Fauvists ignited the art world with their thick use of
paint and often abstracted subject matter. Both periods
were more focused on expressing emotions rather than
optical impressions and concentrating on themes of
deeper symbolism. Through the use of simplified, vibrant
colors, boldly defined forms, expressive brushstrokes and
their dedication to pursuing new and unique means of
artistic expression, the Post-Impressionists and Fauvists
influenced generations of artists.
NATIONAL
STANDARDS
Content Standard #1: Understanding
and applying media, techniques and
processes.
Content Standard #3: Choosing and
evaluating a range of subject matter,
symbols and ideas.
Content Standard #4: Understanding
the visual arts in relation to history
and culture.
OBJECTIVES
• Students will explore their understanding of the Post
Impressionism and Fauvist style of painting through
application and experimentation of media.
• Students will create portraits using Faber-Castell® Jumbo
Beeswax Crayons.
www.saxarts.com | Phone: 1-800-558-6696 | Fax: 1-888-388-6344
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DIRECTIONS
Explore the 20th century Fauvist and Post-impressionist artists with the students. Create a wall of images
from these art periods and display the names of the artists so students can begin to have discussions
about the works of art. Ask students to comment on the characteristics of these movements. Ask students
to choose a favorite work of art and explain why. Ask students to make comparisons to contemporary
art, what media or form of art is fresh and new today? Example of artists to study- Van Gogh,
Matisse, Cézanne...
on portraits during these art periods
or define areas with the heavy duty
n Focus
s Outline
and study the abstracted forms, use of vibrant
awl tool or any tool to scratch or etch marks
color and expressive application. Create
practice drawings and fill with color using
Faber-Castell® Jumbo Beeswax Crayons.
your best drawing composition
o Transfer
onto the basswood canvas panel with the
into the wood canvas. You can also use
Faber-Castell® Metallic Colored EcoPencils to
etch and define areas with subtle color.
in any etched marks with Sax Concentrated
t Fill
Liquid Watercolors. Use a contrasting liquid
Faber-Castell® Jumbo Beeswax Crayons. Begin
drawing on the wood canvas with lighter
colors like Yellow, Orange or White.
the paper off the crayons before you
p Peel
begin to melt and draw. Begin with the
lightest colors and use the darkest colors last.
You may slowly build up the layers of wax by
drawing with the wax crayons then using the
heat gun to melt the light layer into the wood
canvas. Repeat as much as you desire.
create smooth lines drawn on the wood
q To
canvas use the heat gun in one hand to
watercolor color that will pop against the color
of melted beeswax around these areas like a
wax resist painting.
the edges or any negative space on
u Paint
the wood canvas with Sax Concentrated
Liquid Watercolors.
work completely dry and seal with Sax
v Let
Tempera Varnish
wood canvases as a group in a grid
w Display
formation or they can stand alone on their
edge in a display case.
heat the Faber-Castell® Jumbo Beeswax Crayon
in the other hand- Be Careful not to burn your
fingers- keep the heat gun moving.
cover a larger area of color and create a
r To
thick texture of beeswax hold the crayon
under the heat gun longer until it begins to
drip and begin applying the melted color to
the wood canvas.
MATERIALS
1438850 Faber-Castell® Jumbo Beeswax Crayons,
Set of 24
s,
401304 Faber-Castell® Metallic Colored EcoPencils,
Set of 12
lly
1403307 Basswood Canvas, 8" x 8", Sold Individually
068624 Sax® Liquid Watercolors, 8 oz. Bottles, Set off 10
h Set,
402753 Sax® True Flow® Velvet White Taklon Brush
72 Brushes
402269 Sax® True Flow® Tempera Varnish, Gloss, Quart
407516 Heavy Duty Awl Tool, Sold Individually
404790 Embossing Heat Tool
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