Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will have a deeper understanding of Ancient Egyptian Art, particularly the concept of frontalism, and the various techniques and tools used by ancient Egyptians. The student will also create their own art piece inspired by these techniques, enhancing both their artistic skills and historical knowledge.

Materials and Prep

• Paper or canvas for drawing
• Pencils and erasers
• Colored pencils or markers
• Reference images of Ancient Egyptian Art (can be printed or viewed online)
• Basic information on frontalism and ancient Egyptian art techniques
• Optional: books or articles about Ancient Egypt for further reading

Activities

• Introduction to Frontalism: Begin with a discussion about frontalism, explaining how ancient Egyptians depicted figures in a way that combined profile and frontal views. Show examples of art pieces that illustrate this technique.
• Art Analysis: Analyze a few famous pieces of Ancient Egyptian art. Discuss their colors, forms, and the symbolism behind them. Ask the student what they notice about the way figures are presented.
• Create Your Own Frontalist Art: Using the techniques discussed, the student will create their own piece of art inspired by Ancient Egyptian styles. Encourage them to think about the colors and symbols they want to include.
• Tool Time: Discuss the tools that ancient Egyptians used for their art, such as brushes made from reeds and natural pigments. If possible, demonstrate how to make a simple brush using available materials.
• Gallery Walk: Once the student has completed their artwork, set up a mini-gallery at home. Display the art and have the student explain their piece, referencing the techniques and concepts learned.

Talking Points

• "Frontalism is a unique way of representing figures that combines both profile and frontal views, allowing the viewer to see the subject from multiple angles at once."
• "Ancient Egyptians believed that art was not just for decoration; it served a spiritual purpose and was meant to last for eternity."
• "The colors used in Ancient Egyptian art were symbolic. For example, green represented fertility, while red symbolized chaos."
• "Ancient Egyptian artists used natural materials to create their tools and pigments. This connection to nature is something we can explore in our own art."
• "When creating your artwork, think about how you can incorporate symbols and colors that reflect your own story, just like the ancient Egyptians did."