Art Masterpiece: Kindergarten, Lesson 4 (February)
Albrecht Durer (1471 – 1528)
Young Hare (1502)
Watercolor, 9.88” x 8.90”
Pronounced: Al-brekt Duhr-ur
Keywords: Line, Texture
Activity: Texture Collage
Medium: Toothpicks, Feathers, Colored Pencils
Meet the Artist
 Born in Germany, one of 18 children, almost 550 years ago.
 As a child he always liked to draw. He also worked along his father who
was a goldsmith. Albrecht was taught to design rings, necklaces and
other jewelry.
 Later in life he became a famous painter and a printmaker. (woodcuts,
etchings and engravings)
 He’s also completed over 1000 drawings and was one of the first artists to
use watercolors to paint realistically from nature.
 He traveled to many countries and learned techniques from many other
artists from those countries.
 His love for knowledge was as intense as his love for painting. A lifelong
student, Durer was well educated in Math, Geometry, Latin and Literature.
 He died at the age of 56.
Art Terms
Line
 An element of art. A continuous path of a point as it moves across a
surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction, curvature or color.
Texture
 Actual texture is texture which may be physically felt; rough, smooth, fluffy,
bumpy, hard, soft, etc. Implied texture is texture that may be seen only, as
in a painting.
Questions about Young Hare
 The title for this work is Young Hare. Do you know what a hare is? (A kind
of rabbit)
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What colors did the artist use in this painting? (Colors are realistic)
What kinds of lines do you see (Short, long, wavy)
Does the fur look smooth or rough? Soft or hard? Could you run your
fingers through it?
How would this painting feel if you actually touch it? (The hare would not
feel soft and furry, it would feel like paint on a canvas)
Explain that Durer was able to imply texture by the careful way he painted,
this is called implied texture.
Have students find different textures in the classroom. (Carpet, tables,
walls)
Has the artist made the hare look real? How? (He used lines to create its
fur and by including many details)
Why do you think it was painted on a white background? (Maybe so the
hare stands out)
Other than the hare what else do you see? (Initials AD and 1502)
Do you know what AD stands for? (Artists initials)
What do you think 1502 means? (The year the work was painted)
Activity
Texture Collage – Toothpicks, Feathers, Colored Pencils
Explain that they are going to add actual (real) texture to their porcupine or duck
drawing by gluing toothpicks or feathers. Real texture is something that can be
felt by touch so they will feel the hard prickly spines of the porcupine or the soft
feathers of the duck.
Supplies
Porcupine drawing
Duck drawing
Toothpicks
Feathers
Colored pencils
Glue
Paper plates for glue
*Additional support material – photo printout
Directions
1. Each table should have colored pencils. Don’t place glue, toothpicks or
feathers on the tables yet.
2. Have students choose either a porcupine or duck drawing. To help with
sharing the texture materials it may be easier to have students with the
same animal be grouped together at tables.
3. Have students write their name and room # on the back of the paper.
4. Students will use colored pencils to color their animal and to add a
landscape background.
5. Once the students have completed coloring their picture provide them with
the materials to add real texture.
- Toothpicks to make spines for the porcupine (about 30 each)
- Feathers for the duck (about 6 to 8 each)
6. Place two plates of glue at each table and have them dip the toothpicks
and feathers (one side only) in the glue and place them on their animal.
7. Have them put their initials on the front of their masterpiece like the artist
did. (Make sure their name is on the back though)
8. When the students are done have them title their artwork. Write the title on
a label sticker and place it on the back of their work.
Student Artwork 2012 – 2013
*Additional Support Material
8 ½” x 11” printout of this image will be available in the supply bin.
* Wing of a Roller (1512)
Wing of a bird called a Blue Roller