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Create Your Own Narrative | Designing an Image in Motion  

Using the Just Add Ink section allows those teachers who do not have much time to simply print out a lesson. These activities serve as a framework for thinking about the artwork, allowing students to bring each lesson to completion by just adding ink.

 


Create Your Own Narrative

Look carefully at the images below from The John Brown Series. Be sure to pay close attention to what stories may be told from the pictures and also look at the many different shapes that Lawrence used.

No. 2
For 40 years, John Brown reflected on the hopeless and miserable condition of the slaves. 1941
Gouache on paper, 19 7/8 x 13 5/8 in.
(C) 2004 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

No. 7
To the people he found worthy of his trust, he communicated his plans. 1941
Gouache on paper, 13 9/16 x 19 7/8 in.
(C) 2004 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

 No. 14
John Brown collected money from sympathizers and friends to carry out his plans. 1941
Gouache on paper, 19 3/4 x 13 5/8 in.
(C) 2004 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

After studying the images, think about some of your own experiences or adventures that you recently had, such as a vacation or a trip to the zoo. Draw the sequence below in four steps (one to a box). Keep the shapes simple and arrange them in a design that will explain your adventure and make it easy to follow the main events of your story. Write a short description under each image.

<empty> <empty>
Caption:
<empty>		 Caption:
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<empty> <empty>
Caption:
<empty>		 Caption:
<empty>

Designer's Name line
The line Series, Date, line

To print just this activity, open our PDF version. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.

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Designing an Image in Motion

Look at the two paintings shown below. In both cases, Lawrence has simplified the figures of people, animals and weapons using geometric shapes. Look closely at the images, answer a few questions, and then create your own picture!

No. 11
John Brown took to guerilla warfare. 1941
G ouache on paper, 13 5/8 x 19 13/16 in.
(C) 2004 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York 		No. 12
John Brown's victory at Black Jack drove those pro-slavery to new fury, and those who were anti-slavery to new efforts. 1941
Gouache on paper, 19 3/4 x 13 5/8 in.
(C) 2004 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

 

What geometric shapes do you see?
line

How can you tell that the horses are moving? That people are fighting? (Look at the objects and way shapes are placed)
line

How does the artist manage to relate the shapes and keep our eyes moving through the entire scene?
line

Now, in the space below, design your own version of a battle scene or event filled with lots of action. How will you organize the figures and arrange the shapes? Fill the whole space and think about the way that Jacob Lawrence organized his own paintings to compose your own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designer's Name
Title , Date

To print just this activity, open our PDF version. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.
 
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