Watercolour Unit: Canadian Landscape Assignment

TASK:

Create a painting of a Canadian landscape that conveys a sense of rhythm through the use of colour and shape. (Rhythm, or a sense of movement, is created by the repetition of colour and shape throughout the work.) Realism in the subject matter was not a requirement of this task.

RUBRIC:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_YrpITfs0DhRUxVd1RSdUJLWmc/edit?usp=sharing

EXEMPLARS:

LEVEL 1: 

The student’s painting shows limited use of colour and shape to convey a sense of rhythm, and the written response demonstrates limited use of appropriate language to explain the techniques used to create rhythm in the painting. The student does not communicate his or her understanding of concepts with clarity or precision. 

LEVEL 1:  

The student attempts to create emphasis through the use of contrasting colours, and he or she experiments with depth, as shown in the trees, the background, and the narrowing stream. Shapes are repeated in a limited way, and there is little blending of paint except in the sky. The student demonstrates limited ability to communicate his or her understanding of concepts. 

LEVEL 2:

The student creates some balance and movement in the painting by juxtaposing warm and cool colours, and he or she blends some tints and shades. The student demonstrates some ability to communicate his or her understanding of the techniques used to achieve rhythm. 

LEVEL 2:

The student’s art work shows some ability to create rhythm through repetition of colour and shape and some understanding of principles of design, especially in the upper portion of the painting. The student uses some art terminology with some accuracy. 

LEVEL 3:

The student combines areas of colour and shapes to produce a painting that effectively balances the two main aspects of the landscape: land and sky. Skilful colour blending and use of colour contrasts create a considerable sense of rhythm in the lower part of the painting. The student describes portions of his or her painting, using appropriate art terminology, with clarity and accuracy. 

LEVEL 3:

The student makes considerable use of such visual characteristics as colour blending and repetition of colour and shape to convey a sense of rhythm in the painting. He or she demonstrates considerable understanding of painting techniques and elements of design. The student provides a detailed description of his or her painting, using appropriate art terminology with clarity and accuracy. 

LEVEL 4:

The student demonstrates a thorough command of paint and brush techniques to create a powerful depiction of a Canadian landscape. He or she skilfully blends colours and effectively contrasts areas of light and shadow. The student’s art work contains striking visual effects, and its overall composition conveys a strong sense of rhythm. 

LEVEL 4:

The student uses a highly proficient brush technique, as is demonstrated by the varied effects created throughout the background. He or she demonstrates significant control of the medium in painting the large gray boulders and their reflections in the water. The student skilfully creates, through colour value and movement, a highly atmospheric depiction of a Canadian landscape.