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Basic 3 · Creative Arts · Planning, Making and Composing

Planning African-Inspired Artworks

In this topic you will plan your own artwork inspired by visual art from other African countries.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Choose an African art style to inspire you
  • Plan your artwork with a sketch
  • List the materials and tools you need

What you already know

  • Visual art from other African countries

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Visual Arts
Sub-strand
Planning, Making and Composing
Indicator
B3.1.2.2.1 – Plan own artworks that represent visual artworks produced or found in other communities in Africa

Introduction

Artists often get ideas from other artists. You will plan an artwork using Ndebele patterns, Maasai bead colours or Bogolan symbols.

1. Planning Steps

  1. Choose an art style (for example Ndebele patterns).
  2. Decide what you will make (a poster, a bead necklace, a patterned cloth).
  3. Make a small pencil sketch.
  4. List your materials and tools.
  5. Plan the colours.

2. Example Plan

My art plan
QuestionAnswer
What style?Ndebele patterns
What will I make?a patterned wall hanging
Materials?old carton, paint or crayons, pencil, ruler
Colours?black outlines with red, yellow, blue and green
A pencil sketch of an Ndebele-style geometric pattern on a carton
Figure 1: Planning an Ndebele-style pattern Sketch your own African-inspired design.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

inspire
To give someone an idea.
style
A special way of making art.
sketch
A quick drawing to plan.
plan
To decide how to do something before doing it.

Summary

  • Artists can be inspired by other artists.
  • Planning includes choosing a style, sketching and listing materials.
  • A good plan makes the artwork easier.

Class activity: Art Plan

  1. Choose an African art style.
  2. Fill in your art plan.
  3. Sketch your design on paper.

You need: Pencils, Crayons, Old cartons, Manila paper, Kente, Adinkra samples

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A quick drawing used to plan is a…

    • A. Sketch
    • B. Song
    • C. Dance
    • D. Label
    Show answer
    Answer: SketchSketches help planning.

  2. 2. Which material could you use for a wall hanging?

    • A. Old carton
    • B. Water
    • C. Sand
    • D. Air
    Show answer
    Answer: Old cartonCarton is a firm base.

  3. 3. Planning comes before making.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueWe plan first.

  4. 4. Artists never get ideas from other artists.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseArtists are often inspired by others.

  5. 5. To give someone an idea is to ______ them.

    Show answer
    Answer: inspireThat is inspiring.

  6. 6. Write three things to include in an art plan.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any three: style, what to make, sketch, materials, colours.These form a plan.

Homework

  1. Finish your sketch and colour notes at home.