Jacob Lawrence

Born in 1917 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Lawrence moved with his family to Harlem in 1930, where he came into contact with some of the greatest artistic and intellectual minds of his generation. In the previous decade, Harlem had experienced the remarkably creative period known as the Harlem Renaissance, and the neighborhood was still the focal point of African-American culture. Before he was twenty years old, Lawrence had developed a powerful, concise style that expressed all of the vibrancy and pathos of the neighborhood and its occupants.¹

I can create the illusion of depth in an interior space by drawing 3 converging lines that show where the walls and floor meet.

I can draw an interior space and make it look 3 Dimensional by using Vanishing Points and converging Lines and the rules of 1 point linear perspective.

I can create the feeling of light and shadow in an interior space by applying three shades of value to the different surfaces to show highlight, mid-tone, and shadow.

I can show objects in the space of the room by overlapping the horizontal and orthogonal lines and drawing objects on the floor and

I can draw tables and chairs by drawing horizontal ovals and trapezoids to represent the surface tops and extending vertical legs down from to the floor.

I can represent objects on the table’s surface by drawing the objects overlapping the top horizontal line of the table shape.

I can create the texture and look of wood by creating a series of striped patterns.

I can create the visual interest in an interior scene by adding details such as windows, curtains, and wallpaper patterns on the walls.

I can represent people in the scene by drawing the shapes of the figure’s clothing and placing the figures in the chairs and behind the tables.

I can assess, refine, and evaluate my drawings by comparing them to the components listed in the project rubric and adding attributes that are missing or need more refining.

One Way Ticket, Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series,
An in-depth look at Jacob Lawrence’s landmark 1941
painting series about the mass movement of
African Americans from the rural South to he urban North.

The Migration Series
Jacob Lawrence shares his
personal ties to the great migration

What are the distinguishing features of Lawrence’s collage?

What symbols or images does Lawrence use repeatedly or often?

What are the different parts of the scenes in his paintings?

What ideas or themes do you think are important to Jacob Lawrence?

Can you list the various components of his work?

How would you prioritize different images that are important to you?

How would you organize elements within a composition to create a story or theme?

What way would you design a story or a theme using the images you gathered?

How do the skills developed in the previous projects help develop the new illustration?

How would you organize the various elements so that all the items make a balanced whole?

How would you apply the knowledge you gained about him to create your own panel series?

Learn More | The National Core Arts Standards

Creating
VA:Cr1.1.HSI Use multiple approaches to begin creative endeavors.
VA:Cr1.2.HSI Shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present-day life using a contemporary practice of art or design.
VA:Cr2.1.HSI Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.
VA:Cr3.1.HSI Apply relevant criteria from traditional and contemporary cultural contexts to examine, reflect on, and plan revisions for works of art and design in progress.
Presenting
VA:Pr.4.1.HSI Analyze, select, and curate artifacts and/or artworks for presentation and preservation.
VA:Pr5.1.HSI Analyze and evaluate the reasons and ways an exhibition is presented.
Responding
VA:Re7.1.HSI Hypothesize ways in which art influences perception and understanding of human experiences.
VA:Re7.2.HSI Analyze how one’s understanding of the world is affected by experiencing visual imagery.
VA:Re9.1.HSI Establish relevant criteria in order to evaluate a work of art or collection of works.
Connecting
VA:Cn10.1.HSI Document the process of developing ideas from early stages to fully elaborated ideas.
VA:Cn11.1.HSI Describe how knowledge of culture, traditions, and history may influence personal responses to art.
https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2015/onewayticket/

¹Jacob Lawrence, DC Moore Gallery, http://www.dcmooregallery.com/artists/jacob-lawrence