The Scream — Art Lesson Plan

The Scream art lesson plan was inspired by Expressionism and Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”. It can be adapted to fit different art mediums and expanded on with further lessons on modern expressionism. Encouraging students to explore their own ideas and expressions. Students will learn how to express emotions and tell a story through directional lines.

Definition of Expressionism: 

Expressionism is the personal representation of the artists’ perspective on life, with an emphasis on emotions, and often depicted with expressive lines and simple representational images. Expressionism is an art history movement founded in Germany in the early 20th century.

Materials for Art Lesson

Pencils

Thick watercolor paper

Watercolor paints (oil pastels, crayons, pencil crayons, acrylic paint can be used instead)

Permanent marker

Art Lesson Introduction

To introduce this lesson plan you will need to examine the works of Edvard Munch and “The Scream” with an explanation of the Expressionism movement.

“The Scream” is the nickname for a series of similar works done by Edvard Munch between 1893 and 1910 most done in pastel and a few are black and white lithographs. The image represents a moment in time, captured during an evening walk. Munch had the overwhelming sensory feeling of nature screaming out in agony on that walk. The impression was due to the modern destruction of nature through industrialization. Munch explored this image of nature’s agony in many pictorial variations.

 

Inspiration and Instruction:

Directional lines are used to connect the elements in the work as well as to communicate the swirling emotions that Munch was expressing. Have the students discuss the use of directional lines in this image and point out the path the artist wants the viewer to take around the image and where Munch used One Point Perspective. As a class, discuss interpretations and impressions of the work.

(Directional Lines can lead the eye in a path around an image and provide a means to communicate emotional content.)

(One point perspective is when two or more
lines originate from a singular vanishing point.
The directional lines resemble an upside down V)

 

Application:

Students should sketch out a replica or their own individualized version of “The Scream” with pencil on watercolor paper. Using a permanent marker outline the important directional lines. This helps to emphasize the importance of the directional lines in the painting.

 

 

 

 

 

Using watercolor paint, oil pastels or acrylic paint, students apply color on top of their sketch. This should be a fun and inventive process. They should layer the complementary colors emphasizing the mood and the directional lines.

Presentation and Grade:

Each students work will be significantly different from the other, with personal touches in the image and in the colors. Line up the paintings together and discuss the success of each work. Pointing out the directional lines and how each student expressed themselves through this image.

A successful project should have directional lines that lead the viewer around the image. A one point perspective that accurately gives the illusion of distance and layers of emotive colors. A scream project that has the addition of a unique element that gives a fresh interpretation on the work receives the highest grade.

Follow Up Lesson:

Modern Expressionism is a valid and vibrant style of work today. Students should be introduced to modern expressionists’ works and follow the steps above to create their own and unique painting.