Lesson plan based on Amphora
Summarize and illustrate the process of painting an ancient Greek vessel.
Skills and Focus: Art Appreciation, Hands-On
Subject Area: Fine Arts
Thematic Connection: Connecting Past and Present
Grade Level: Middle School
Time Needed: 60 minutes
Objectives
• Identify this amphora as an example of the black figure style.
• Identify in order the steps and procedures necessary to produce an amphora in the black figure style.
• Describe how the steps and processes used create specific effects and details in the scene on this amphora.
• Create a design for an amphora using black figure style.
Instructional Materials Needed
Stories: What Story Is Shown? and How Was This Made?
Pencils
Red and black colored pencils or markers
Activity
Step 1: Tell students that this amphora is an example of the black figure style in ancient Greek vase painting, with figures appearing in black on a red background. Encourage students to take notes as they watch the stories. Then distribute the worksheet and have students use their notes to correctly order the steps in the process.
Step 2: Have students create a design from a scene in history for an amphora in the black figure style. Asl students to sketch designs onto the attached amphora template in pencil.
Step 3: Indicate which areas are to be covered in slip before firing by coloring the design accordingly with red or black crayons or markers.
Goals
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced.
Place numbers from 1 to 5 in the brackets to show the correct order for creating an amphora in the black figure style.
[ _ ] Details are scratched into the clay surface or painted on it in different colors.
[ _ ] Oxygen is introduced into the kiln, turning areas on the amphora without slip red while areas covered with slip remain black.
[ _ ] A design is sketched onto the vase with charcoal.
[ _ ] The vase is fired in a kiln, turning first red and then black.
[ _ ] Slip (clay thinned with water) is applied to areas of vase the artist wants to appear black.
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