Oil Pastel Butterfly

In this lesson students create an oil pastel butterfly drawing exploring shape and symmetry. Students observe the shapes and colours of butterflies and discuss what symmetry is in art. They draw the design of a butterfly on folded paper and cut it out to create a symmetrical template before using an oil pastel scratch back technique

Lesson 1

Students explore a variety of butterflies and the shapes and colours on their wings. As a class discuss what shapes and colours they observe and what symmetry is within art. Students choose a butterfly to base their work on. Students create the silhouette of the butterfly for the base of their work by folding cartridge paper in half and drawing half the design on the fold. Students will then cut around the line to create their template to colour on.

Students use oil pastel to create loose areas of colour to match their chosen design on their paper template. Students should ensure they are only using bright colours for this part of the process.

Lesson 2

Students finish colouring in their template with oil pastel ensuring that there are no white areas of paper remaining. Students will then use a dark oil pastel and colour over their whole design in black. Students will then use a wooden tool to draw out the patterns in their butterfly. They will then use a palette knife to scrape away the black oil pastel to reveal the colour underneath.

Reflection:

Students can explore indigenous artworks which are based on native fauna and compare and contrast their work to these and the scratch back technique they have used.