Luna Moth 6
Transcript of Luna Moth 6
What You’ll Need
Luna moth
6
Topics Covered Value, Color & Proportion
Time Needed 2 Sessions at 50 Minutes
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ABOUT LUNA MOTHS LUNA MOTHS are a large type of nocturnal moth, meaning that they
are most active at night. Luna moths are one of the largest moths and
are typically a bright green with several eye spots on the wings. The eye
spots are a defense mechanism meant to scare
away predators. A luna moth’s life cycle is
similar to a butterfly’s, from egg to larva to
pupae in a silk cocoon, then emerging as a
winged moth. However, unlike butterflies,
adult luna moths lack mouths and digestive
systems because they don’t eat in their moth
stage. Instead, they use the food stored as a
larva to live during their week-long life as an
adult moth.
This lesson, inspired by the beautifully delicate luna moth, is a
beautiful exploration of drawing from observation and color
usage. Using one of the three included handouts, students will
draw their luna moth from a source image, with an emphasis
on using correct proportions. They will then use a white oil
pastel to mark areas with light values. Students will add color
slowly, layer by layer with chalk pastel, blending to build up
the richly colored wings of the moth as well as the light areas
and darker shadows. Finished off with
some glowing stars, this lesson is a
testament to the
beauty of night
time. Beauty the
Luna by Julia
Welch is a great
companion to
this lesson.
What You’ll Need: 12” x 18” black sulphite paper
White oil pastel
Chalk pastels
Luna moth
Drawing the moth• This lesson features three different source
images for students to use on pages 6 - 8. Each
handout is the luna moth from a different
perspective.
• You can allow students to
choose which they’d like to
use. The view that is head on
will be simpler to draw than
the side view, which is what
I’m using in my example.
• Using white oil pastel, begin drawing the luna
moth from OBSERVATION on a 12” x18” piece
of black sulphite paper. Depending on the
handout you choose, your paper might be
horizontal or vertical.
• Draw lightly at first to get the PROPORTIONS
of the luna moth correct. Proportion is the size of
one part of the image in relation to the other
areas in the image.
• For example, to draw the side view, the
furthest wing will have to be much smaller
than the closest wing to be drawn in
proportion.
• Once you are satisfied with your
drawing, you can use the white oil
pastel to start coloring in light areas
to EMPHASIZE them. Draw with
harder pressure for these light areas.
Handouts on pages 6-8
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Layering color• One of the most beautiful aspects of working
with chalk pastels is that you can LAYER subtle
colors to create lots of DEPTH in your COLORS.
• Looking at your source image, decide which
color you’d like to use as a base color first.
Typically you’d choose a light color.
• For my luna moth, even though it was very
green, I could see that it also had a yellow
undertone, so that was the color that I chose to
start with.
• Color lightly with your first color, then BLEND
out with one finger. Since the paper is black, it’s
likely the color will be very transparent after
blending and that’s okay. You can always add
another layer to punch up the undertone a bit.
• Next, layer the next lightest color on top of your
base. For me, that was a lime green. Blend out.
• Continue building up the colors like this until
you have a nice base color.
• NOTE: You don’t have to color the entire luna
moth as you build up the color; if there are lighter
spots that match the base color you’ve created,
you can leave those alone and focus on building
up darker colors.
• One of the other advantages of using chalk
pastels is that they will draw on top of a base color
crisply, so once your base color is built up, you can
start adding sharper details with the chalk.
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Finishing touches• You’ll notice as you continue to build up color and
blend that you can feel the white oil pastel marks
and that they allow chalk to be deposited on top of
them. One of the reasons that we started with light
colors first is so those can soak into the oil pastel
and leave those areas lighter.
• Begin adding darker accent colors to the edges of
the wings and in the eyespots.
• Pay attention in your source image where
SHADOWS lie and use darker colors to slowly build
up those areas.
• In contrast, also add some pure white to areas that
are HIGHLIGHTS in the moth.
• Adding both highlights and shadows will give a
sense of FORM to your moth.
• You can use black to outline the entire moth if
you’d like, just use a soft touch to keep the delicate
feel of the moth.
• For the background, you can add some glowing
stars with white oil pastel, since luna moths are
nocturnal.
• To get the glowing effect, color in a small circle
white, then continued to spiral out from the circle
using lighter pressure as you go.
• Use yellow chalk to color on top and blend with a
circular motion.
• Add a few plain white stars with a white oil pastel
to finish off the starlit sky.
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National Core Arts Standards - 6th GradeL U N A M O T H
C R E AT I N G
Common Core StandardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed
through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from
personal opinions or judgments.
Have students describe the main idea of any of the book suggested
for this lesson verbally to assess their understanding of the text. This
is a great way to introduce students to luna moths while checking
their comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
As students complete an artist statement (located in Teacher Aids), they are supporting claims
about what their artwork means. This requires them to build their answer based on how they
created the work as evidence pointing toward the composition’s meaning.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when
writing or speaking.
You can emphasize to students the importance of using conventions of standard English
grammar when writing their answers to the artist statement worksheet. This is a wonderful way
to help students see cross-curricular connections between subjects!
VA:Cr1.1.6a - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Combine concepts collaboratively to generate innovative ideas for creating art.
VA:Cr2.1.6a - Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Demonstrate openness in trying new ideas, materials, methods, and approaches in making works of art and design.
VA:Cr3.1.6a - Refine and complete artistic work - Reflect on whether personal artwork conveys the intended meaning and revise accordingly.
I Can StatementsL U N A M O T H
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Today I will learn about OBSERVATION
DRAWING so that I CAN use a source image
to help draw a LUNA MOTH with accurate PROPORTIONS.
Today I will learn about LAYERING and BLENDING with chalk
pastels so that I CAN create rich colors with DEPTH.
Today I will learn about VALUE so that I CAN add SHADOWS and
HIGHLIGHTS to my luna moth to create the illusion of FORM.
Time to evaluate your work! Review your project and check the box with your answer.
Criteria
Craftsmanship
Effort
Composition
Did you follow all steps?
Were you satisfied with the end result?
Did you use the supplies correctly?
Did you do your best?
Excellent Needs WorkSuccessful Progressing
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Student Name:__________________ Class:__________ Project: Luna Moth
Student Name:__________________ Class:__________ Project: Luna Moth
TEACHER ASSESSMENT
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
5-75-7
5-7 5-7
Did the student draw a luna moth from observation with correct proportions?
Did the student layer and blend which chalk pastels to create depth in their colors?
Did the student add shadows and highlights to create the illusion of form?