Lesson Objectives:

Students will

study pencils, transform them, and learn to see No. 2 pencils in a new way.
maintain the color of the traditional pencil; yellow with black lettering and a pink eraser, while transforming their shape/form.
make choices concerning subject, media and treatment to develop an original work of art.

Resources

Translate:

To render in another language.
To change from one form, function, or state to another; convert or transform: translate ideas into reality.
To express in another medium.
To transfer from one place or condition to another.

Transform:

To change markedly the appearance or form of: “A thick, fibrous fog had transformed the trees into ghosts and the streetlights into soft, haloed moons” (David Michael Kaplan).
To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert.

Another way to transform the simple pencil into something spectacular..

Herbert Li, Grade 10, Colored pencil, 12" x 18"		Any object that is seen or used on a regular basis begins to go unnoticed. What we stop seeing is the form, color, or the object's visual properties. For years you have used No. 2 pencils. You probably handle them daily. They are indeed an ordinary, everyday object. What art can be developed by building a two-dimensional image using pencil shapes and colors?
Assignment and Rubric: Look carefully at your No. 2 pencil. Brainstorm a subject category to work within. Categories might include things such as people, cars, insects or animals, sports, musical instruments, buildings, bridges, etc. Use your imagination. Plan a drawing of the subject. Develop a contour line drawing, and then fill the interior space of the drawing with pencil images. Stretch, condense, curve, or otherwise transform the pencil shapes. Make use of pattern, value, and size. Translate your design drawing to your final choice of paper and complete the work in color pencil.
What will I be looking for when I grade this work? Intelligent approach to original and unique expression with a high degree of risk taking. Excellent understanding and application of artistic qualities such as line, scale, proportions, color, texture, and balance in design. Composition is engaging--for example, it has a strong focal point, implies movement, and/or communicates "attitude" or emotional statement. Attention to detail. Sophisticated understanding of materials and use of chosen media. Evidence of time on task, degree to which the idea was developed, receptivity to feedback/suggestions from teacher and fellow students, commitment to project.
Using Colored Pencils: On-line Tips, Color Pencil Drawing, Working on Colored Papers, On-line Color Pencil Exercises that will improve your technique What is wax bloom? Wax bloom is a white haze that appears on colored pencil drawings, especially when heavily worked, as a layer of the wax medium rises to the surface. It tends to appear once the work has been sitting for a week or two. To prevent wax bloom, give the drawing a couple of layers of fixative. You may need to wipe off any existing bloom first, if the drawing has taken some time to do. To remove wax bloom, wipe the surface gently with wad of cotton wool, checking frequently to ensure that you are not moving any pigment. A tissue also works, though it can be slightly abrasive.
Thinking about animal figures? The Boston Museum of Science's web site has a slide show on the work of Katharine Lane Weems, a sculpture who studied animal forms. Try looking at the National Zoo for inspiration.	Thinking about cars? Try looking at this Petersen Automotive site. Interested in sports? Sports Photojournalism by Jerry Lodriguss	Thinking about musical instruments? Here's a site that might help. What other potential subjects can you think of-- Real or Imagined?