Submitted by: Lauren McGreal, Victoria Fertitta Middle School, Las Vegas, NV
UNIT: Art of Mexico - Days of the Dead 
Lesson: Jose Posada - Calaveras Drawings - Line
Grade Level: Middle School (adaptable to elementary)  
Alternate Lesson: Relief Printmaking    

                                   

See more examples  click images for larger views.

Objectives (National/State Standards):

The student will be able to plan and produce a work of art in the style of artist Jose Posada that uses current subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning (3.8.2NS)

5.1             STUDENTS WILL EXPLORE ART CRITICISM.

The students studied the artwork of Mexican printmaker Jose Posada (Mexican Engraver, 1852-1913) and learned that his images are often associated with The Day of the Dead. Their assignment was to create a drawing in the style of Posada that uses current subject matter and symbols, along with texture and pattern.

Goals:

The students will learn about Mexican printmaker Jose Posada and discuss his work.

The students will create a drawing in the style of Posada that uses current subject matter and symbols.

Materials:

Visuals of Posada's prints, skeleton, white drawing paper, pencils, fine point markers. Alternate lesson: Scratchfoam plates (and ball point pens. soft lead pencils) or linoleum plates (and lino cutters), black and white printing ink, black and white paper, brayers, ink plates, wooden spoons.

Teacher-Led Activities:

• Show students power point presentation on the Mexican printmaker Jose Posada discuss his life and his artwork.

• Have students then do the 4 steps of art criticism on several of his prints (Describe, Interpret, Analyze-focus on how texture and space is found, and Evaluate) have a group discussion on the above.
  (Above took about 50 minutes.)

• Introduce lesson to students by telling them that they will be creating artwork in the style of Posada.  They will however be using current subject matter and symbols.  They must include texture, pattern, and foreground, middle ground, and background.

• DAILY- Review vocabulary check for understanding

Student Centered Activities:

1. View power point, discuss work, and critique using the 4 step of art criticism. (Describe - analyze - interpret - judge)

2. The students will draw a picture in the style of Jose Posada using current symbols and subject matter on scrap paper.  They must include texture, pattern, and foreground, middle ground, and background. Have skeleton for students to use for reference.

3. The students will begin to create their drawing on the final draft after approval.

4. The students will go over their drawing with a thin black marker.

Alternate lesson idea: Relief Printmaking

1. Students transfer drawing to linoleum plate (of scratchfoam plate). 

2. Cut lines and patterns in linoleum (or press down lines and patterns on Scratchfoam)

3. Print with black ink on white paper - and white ink on black paper (compare results)

4. Accent prints with colored pencils if desired

Alternate Lesson idea: Scratchboard Engraving

1. Students make own scratchboard with crayons - or use prepared scratchboard. Drawings could be done on tag board - outlined with fine point markers - then colored heavily with crayons. 

2. Scratch lines and patterns in scratchboard to show understanding of Posada's engravings patterns and textures.

Vocabulary:

Jose Posada, Calaveras, Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos, Elements/Principles of design - with focus on texture and space, printmaking

Student Assessment Strategy:

Rubric on performance

Art Criticism:

Students will critique the work of Jose Posada using the 4 step process.

1. Description – Sensory properties
2. Analysis – Formal Properties
3. Interpretation – Meaning
4. Aesthetics – Judgment

Resources:

Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos - links

Jose Posada - biography

Jose Guadalupe Posada: My Mexico good site - from University of Hawaii. Calaveras

Artchive Images: La Calavera Catrina - Calavera depicting contemporary newspapers as skeleton cyclists - Calavera of Don Quijote - Gran fandango y francachela de todas las calaveras - Warning - Artchive has annoying pop-up ad

Posada's Calaveras Prints - nine images from Posada's Popular Mexican Prints edited by Roberto Berdecio and Stanley Appelbaum, published by Dover Publications, Inc. New York.

Posada Calaveras Prints - eleven images from Posada Printmaker to the Mexican People ©1944 by the Art Institure of Chicago.

Mexican Popular Print Collection: Jose Posada contains biographical information.

Jose Posada Online Artcyclopedia