Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art u Jacob Lawrence

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art u. Jacob Lawrence was a famous African American artist – one of the most famous of the 20 th century with artwork showcased on the cover of Time magazine! u. His “Migration Series” was about the migration of African Americans from the rural south to the urban north after World War One and their struggle to fit in after moving from their familiar surroundings u. Lawrence used flat abstracted shapes of people in dynamic poses u. He repeated the people and often arranged them in a diagonal to create the idea of movement in his artwork u. The body language and expressions in his art helped create a feeling about the people and their story u. Lawrence also used bright colors contrasted next to dark shapes to give a bold, powerful look

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art u. This piece is called, Munich Olympic Games and was completed in 1971 u. Notice how the people look like they are moving in this picture u. Lawrence achieves this look by using: § diagonal lines - (positioning people on a diagonal and then lines in the background to help emphasize that same diagonal) § repetition - of people and objects they might be carrying or wearing, etc. u. These combined with facial expressions and body language take a picture from static (not moving, very still – think Frida Kahlo that we studied last month!) to dynamic (where the viewer feels like the people/objects are moving even though they are not)

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art u. Here is Lawrence’s Parade from 1960 u. Let’s find the following: § diagonal lines § repetition u. Do you feel like the parade is moving forward?

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art u. Both of these works show or represent emotion as well. u. The “Munich Olympic Games” represents a significant moment in these runners careers – you can see the effort in their faces and feel them pushing to win the race u. In the “Parade” you can feel celebration and happiness and think of your own experience viewing a parade

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Today we are going to create a work of art that represents a proud moment or special memory that you have! u. First, think of a proud moment you have – maybe a sports event, musical performance, building something, science fair or reflections entry, giving a speech or acting – anything that you can remember that makes you proud u. Next we are going to capture the movement and emotion of this memory – let’s imagine you in the act of doing this memory and how we can feel the movement…if it’s music, let’s show the notes jumping off of the page, if it’s baseball, let’s show you hitting or catching the ball, or maybe you are a dancer – show a dance move! You can get creative and if you need help, just ask!

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Okay – now that you have your memory, let me demonstrate how to do a few things… u. If I’m going to use basketball as my example, I will show myself shooting a basket. I’m going to use this “moving body” template to position it so I’m making a basket – you can also trace another person in your drawing – a defender, teammate, running mate, etc. ***Please be VERY careful with these templates as we need them for several classes!!*** u. Trace the template with your pencil first u. Now drawing around the body we have traced, we can add clothing and faces, shoes, etc. with the oil pastels – try to think of details that make it look like you! ***Please know – the oil pastels get messy and don’t erase – use lighter colors first and then darker ones!*****

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Now I am going to use what I have learned about movement in art to show myself in action u. I am going to incorporate diagonal lines into my background, like the lines on the court u. Next I am going to show repetition by putting some people in the background u. Now I’m going to add some curves to show the ball bouncing and behind my legs to show movement of my legs as I jump for the shot u. Lastly I’m going to think about emotion as I use my colors – if this is a proud moment, what types of colors might I use? Bright, happy, fun! Use the oil pastels for your larger areas and the color pencils for details

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Now it’s up to you – head back to your desk and refer to this list as you work through your piece! u. Use the template to trace yourself doing your proud moment u. Use diagonal lines to represent your background u. Use repetition in your lines, objects in the background, etc. to show movement u. Use curves around your moving parts u. Use oil pastels for your larger areas and color pencils for details – also use lighter oil pastel colors first and then darker ones! u. Don’t forget your name!

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Let’s Review u. Diagonal lines – slanted lines that we can use to position people or lines in the background to help emphasize movement u. Repetition – using an object or people multiple times in a picture which can also help create the feeling of movement u. Static – a work of art that is not moving/very still – think Frida Kahlo u. Dynamic – a work of art that feels like the people/objects are moving even though they are not

Jacob Lawrence Movement in Art Discussion Questions: u. Does the body language of your people match the expression on the peoples’ faces? u. Do you remember another artist we've studied this year that used body language in her sculptures to create a mood or feeling in her artwork? (Deborah Butterfield – horses!) u. What makes an artwork have a feeling of movement to the viewer, dynamic bodies or static bodies? u. What would you name your artwork?