Art Lesson Plans for CC’s Cycle 1
Are you ready for Cycle 1 Art?
Here at Ridge Light Ranch we love to help Classical Conversation’s Foundations Tutors and Directors reclaim their time by providing complete scripted art lesson plans that use the classical model of education.
- On our general CC Art page you’ll find:
- Links to all three cycles
- Testimonials
- A FREE sample art lesson plan
- FAQs
- On this page you’ll find:
ok, let’s jump in!
First Quarter: Drawing with Ancient Art
Don’t you love Ancient History? With so many years between us and the ancient cultures, all the stories seem a little more magical and a little less gruesome. We can let our imaginations loose as we explore prehistoric cave paintings in France and the stately Pharaohs of Egypt. The Greeks and Romans inspire our artistic endeavors while we ask questions about the rise of the Medieval period. Art brings these time periods to life and helps us explore them more deeply!
Listen to our “Best of Ancient Art” podcast episode for a fun overview!
These 6 lesson plans touch on cave paintings, ancient Egyptian art, ancient Celtic art, Greek and Roman art and architecture, and medieval Illuminated manuscripts. The same lesson plans also cover these drawing basics: using basic shapes and the components of shape to draw, the 7 Elements of Art, the Principles of Design, the use of symmetry in art, the exercise of upside-down drawing, abstract art, and linear perspective.
- Week 1: Lines and Shapes
- Lines and Shapes in Prehistoric Art Lesson Plan: Investigate cave paintings and rock art as we learn about the basics of drawing with simple shapes (oiLs) and the Elements of Art.
- Prehistoric Art Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Week 2: Symmetry
- Drawing King Tut’s Mask Using Symmetry Lesson Plan: Explore the idea of symmetry while learning about Egyptian art and drawing the sarcophagus of King Tut.
- King Tut’s Mask Line Drawing (included in lesson plan)
- Egyptian Art Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Week 3: Upside-Down Drawing
- Drawing Greek Gods Using Upside-Down Drill Lesson Plan: Learn more about the “Upside Down” drawing drill and use it to recreate the art from a rare piece of Greek pottery: Dionysus’ Cup.
- Dionysus’ Cup Line Drawing (included in lesson plan)
- Archaic Greek Art Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Week 4: Abstract Art
- Abstract Celtic Art Lesson Plan: Examine the intricate patterns of Celtic / Insular art (a type of ancient abstract art) and recreate a simple version of the Celtic Knot.
- Celtic Art Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Week 5: Perspective
- Drawing the Parthenon using Linear Perspective Lesson Plan. Practice the mathematically-based skill of linear perspective (1 or 2 point) that was formalized in the Renaissance period and use it to draw the famous Greek Parthenon.
- Greek and Roman Architecture Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Week 6: Final Project
- Illuminated Manuscripts Lesson Plan: Bring your drawing skills all together as you learn about the Medieval art of creating illuminated manuscripts and create your own by drawing your choice of patterns, figures, plants and animals on a copy of John 1:1-7!
- “Wisdom” Illuminated Medieval Manuscript- Line Drawing (included in lesson plan)
- Illuminated Manuscripts Blog Post and Podcast Episode
These 6 lesson plans are available individually, or at a discount in the “Ancient Art Drawing Package,” which is ideal for weeks 1-6 of Fine Arts in a cycle 1 Classical Conversations Foundations community. The package includes some helpful extras like a supply list and a shopping list.
Third Quarter: Renaissance Artists (Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist)
Once we complete our study of the Medieval period we get to move on and watch the world awake into the great Renaissance period! Art is a beautiful mirror of the transitions that took place as the stiff Gothic style was left behind and the ultra-realistic Renaissance style was embraced. Only after a couple hundred years we see the pendulum begin to swing back to favoring representative art over realistic art in the Mannerist period.
Listen to our “Best of Renaissance Artists” podcast episode for a fun overview!
These 6 lesson plans walk you and your students through that historic journey as we discover Giotto, Ghiberti, Fra Angelico, Durer, Michelangelo, and El Greco.
- Week 13: Giotto (Gothic Art)
- Drawing Clothing with Giotto Art Lesson Plan: Learn about how this Gothic-era artist ushered in the techniques of the Renaissance in his paintings of figures in the Arena Chapel. Then practice drawing or painting clothing like Giotto.
- Giotto’s “Raising of Lazarus” Line Drawing (included in lesson plan)
- Why Study Giotto? Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Giotto’s Revolution in Art: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Study
- Week 14: Ghiberti (Early Renaissance Art)
- Ghiberti and the Gate of Paradise Art Lesson Plan: Learn about this child prodigy who created relief sculptures that Michelangelo later called “Gates of Paradise.” Then create your own clay relief using air-dry clay or homemade clay.
- Why Study Ghiberti? Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Unlocking Ghiberti’s Gates: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Study
- Week 15: Fra Angelico (Early Renaissance Art)
- Understanding Foreshortening with Angelico Art Lesson Plan: Learn about this humble artist and his beautiful, realistic depiction of Biblical scenes. Then practice drawing and painting people using the technique of foreshortening.
- Why Study Angelico? Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Fra Angelico’s Spiritual Vision: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Stud
- Week 16: Durer (Renaissance Art)
- Creating Prints like Durer Art Lesson Plan: Learn about Renaissance artist Durer and his amazing stamp-like wood blocks. Create a “stamp” of your own using a simple pencil and foam.
- Durer’s “Rhinoceros” Line Drawing (included in lesson plan)
- Why Study Durer? Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- Durer, the Famous Printmaker: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Study
- Week 17: Michelangelo (Renaissance Art)
- Sculpting with Michelangelo Art Lesson Plan: Learn about the creator of the Sistine Chapel and the Pieta. Then make your own clay bust using air-dry or homemade clay.
- Why Study Michelangelo? Blog and Podcast Episode
- Michelangelo’s Artistic Passion: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Study
- Week 18: El Greco (Mannerist Art)
- Creating Value like El Greco Art Lesson Plan: Learn about this imaginative Post-Renaissance artist who resisted the trend to paint accurate portrayals of people and nature, ushering in the brief Mannerist period. Study the strange light sources in his paintings, portrayed through a variety of value (lights and darks) and then practice shading to create value in your own art.
- Why Study El Greco Blog Post and Podcast Episode
- El Greco’s Mystical Vision: Quotes and Questions to Deepen Your Study
These 6 lesson plans are available individually, or at a discount in the “Renaissance Artists Package” which is ideal for weeks 13-18 of Fine Arts in a cycle 1 Classical Conversations Foundations community. The package includes some helpful extras like a supply list and a shopping list.
Deluxe!
Our Renaissance Artists DELUXE Package also includes these great bonuses:
- Cycle 1 Artists and Composers Timeline
- Flashcards with Renaissance Artist Grammar Sentences (A carefully crafted sentence about each artist, ideal for memorization)
- Renaissance Artist Mini-Posters
Questions? Concerns?
We have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you risk nothing. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email me at Julie@ridgelightranch.com.
Don’t let all those questions about what you’re doing for art next year hang over your head one more day. Let us help make art easy. We want you to LOVE teaching art so you can give your students all the benefits of art and creativity in their education!
(References to Classical Conversations do not constitute or imply endorsement by the company.)