Goal: To introduce student to oil pastels and to familiarize them with the work of Georgia O’Keeffe.
Objectives: Students will produce a large, abstracted drawing of a flower in oil pastel.

Materials:

Color photographs of flowers and silk flowers
Scrap paper, pencils, erasers
12" x 18" sheets of white sulphite paper
Cray-Pas
Paper towels

Introduction:

Show examples of Georgia O’Keeffe’s flower paintings, noticing how the artist filled the canvas with close-up—but often abstracted—details. Demonstrate the application of oil pastel on paper, and how care must be taken to avoid smudging. Students may choose to use areas of flat color, or they may add highlights and shadows. Consider using complementary colors for visual impact.

Procedure:

1. Choose photograph or silk flower to use as example.
2. Make preliminary sketch(es) of enlarged, isolated details.
3. Lightly sketch design on sulphite paper, being sure to fill page.
4. Choose a few bold, bright colors and practice blending.
5. Apply pastels, taking care to turn work and avoid smearing.