Illuminated Letter

Lesson Plan for Art 1

Prepared by Ms. Wilkins

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

Students will learn the history of illuminated manuscript and perform research tasks in order to find their
ancestry as well as demonstrate manipulation of different fonts.

EDUCATION STANDARDS

AI.1 The student will maintain and use a process art portfolio (e.g., sketchbook/journal and working
portfolio) for planning and as a resource in the art-making process.

AI.2 The student will identify and use steps of the design process, including brainstorming,
preliminary sketching, planning, reflecting, refining, elaborating, and researching, in creative problem
solving.

AI.4 The student will describe and demonstrate craftsmanship (artisanship) in works of art.

AI.10 The student will use a variety of drawing media and processes to create observational and
expressive works of art.

AI.16 The student will evaluate how social, cultural, and historical context contribute to meaning in
works of art and design

OBJECTIVES

1. Student will create two of their own illuminated (decorated) letters and demonstrate
understanding of a color scheme and subject matter. One will be illustrate their likes and hobbies
then characteristics of a particular country.

1
MATERIALS NEEDED

1. Chrome Books
2. Copy Paper
3. Colored pencil
4. Drawing paper
5. Ruler
6. Pens
7. Sharpies
8. Scratch Board
9. Scratch Art knives

VERIFICATION

1. Students will meet the requirements of the assignment and be asked to explain why they chose the
symbols/images that they did.
2. They will be assessed by observation as I go around the room.
3. Throughout the lesson students are assessed by relaying their own research and techniques.

ACTIVITY

Day 1-3 Students will go over Shape Up sketchbook

assignment.
https://docs.google.com/a/ehc.edu/document/d/1Cl
AgeUUh8qSelE0tqd5JVy80vC0gz129wb9ED3_Q Objectives:
HeA/edit?usp=sharing Draw and object-shaped word that utilizes 70% of
page.

Students will look at examples of illuminated

letters

Practice on copy paper first to design your own

decorated letter in a 7 x 7 square.

2
 Use your first initial and a font from our
examples.

Then include images or symbols of objects

meaningful to you inside that letter.

After your images have been approved, choose a

color scheme (monochromatic, analogous,
complementary, triadic etc.) and finish decorating
your letter using layering and blending of colored
pencils.

Day 4-5 Sketchbook Assignment: Shape Up!

Students will be instructed to research their last

name and its origin to start a project on their
country of origin.
Using this worksheet as a guide
https://docs.google.com/a/ehc.edu/document/d/1P
EY-
u1kqanWnQIyXuodfBaCXO_hg1GqM81OlW2FiP
GQ/edit?usp=sharing

They must create a word document with images

that they would like to use in their artwork.

Day 6-7 Sketchbook Assignment: Shape Up!

Students will make an illustrated letter of their last

initial to symbolized the country of their culture or
origin.

They will use scratch board and some pen

techniques from the previous week. (hatching,
cross hatching, stippling, scumbling)