Through the Lens of an Artist

Using the file in the attachments, create one pair of glasses for each student (and ‘back’ piece as well. They can be created a head of time, or have the kids cut them out during step 2. These glasses are made to fit adult faces.

You can hand out the artist cards to assign a different painting to each student (or you can give them free reign and allow them to choose any famous piece of artwork they’d like). Some teachers have students do online research and answer simple questions such as the ones below, others will have students write a one page mini paper on the artist.

Possible questions:

1. What year was the artist born and die?
2. Where did the artist live?
3. What style of art did the artist use?
4. What material did the artist use (ex: what kind of paint)
5. What interesting facts did you learn about your artist?

You can use a paper template of glasses for students to do a rough draft of their painting on their glasses using colored pencils.

Have students paint their artwork on to the glasses. Let dry complete. 

Have students cut out lenses of the velum that will cover the holes in the glasses. Using a hot glue gun, glue in the lenses and add the back piece of the glasses to hold them in place. Students can then paint the back of the glasses.