Art Masterpiece: Fallingwater, 1937 by Frank Lloyd Wright

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1 Art Masterpiece: Fallingwater, 1937 by Frank Lloyd Wright Pronounced: Frank Loyd Right Keywords: Line, Repetition, Organic Architecture, Two point perspective Line - An element of art; a continuous path of a point as it moves across a surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction, curvature or color. Repetition - A design that has parts that are used over and over again in a pleasing way. Organic Architecture - A philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world; by integrating the building and furnishings so that they become a part of it s surroundings. Two Point Perspective - a form of linear perspective in which lines appear to meet at two opposite points on the horizon. Grade: 6th Project: Two Point Perspective Architectural Drawing Powerpoint: Knox Elementary School website. Click on Programs, Art Masterpiece, Lessons, then the Grade. Video: Prior to the lesson, have the class view a 4 minute long, 3 dimensional computer rendered video featuring the Fallingwater residence Websites: Meet the Artist: (5 min) Frank Lloyd Wright was born in a small town in Wisconsin, in Before he was born, his mother decorated the nursery with images of English cathedrals, because she had already decided that he would grow up to build beautiful things. When he was 9, Wright s mother who was a trained teacher, taught him geometry and form using a set of wooden blocks. Wright later said this gave him a knowledge of shapes and colors that influenced him for the rest of his life. During his lifetime he was married three times and had seven children.

2 Wright was always short of money and even admitted that his poor finances were likely due to his expensive tastes in clothes, cars, and the extra luxuries he designed into his first home. To supplement his income and repay his debts, Wright accepted independent commissions for at least nine houses, all while he was working full time as an apprentice. Wright established his own architectural practice in 1893 after working for three other firms. As an emerging architect, his projects often consisted of traditionally styled homes even though these were not his vision of modern American architecture. During the 1920 s and 1930 s, Wright s Organic style had fully matured. One of his most famous private homes built in this style was completed in 1937, Fallingwater. It was designed according to Wright's desire to place the people that lived there close to the natural surroundings, with a stream and waterfall running under part of the building. Fallingwater, has been called "the best all-time work of American architecture". Taliesin West was Wright's winter home and studio complex in Scottsdale, AZ, from 1937 to The "desert camp" uses natural materials that blend into the surrounding Sonoran landscape. It continues today as the site of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. His archive of more than 23,000 architectural drawings and other materials are in the process of being permanently moved (2012) to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This will ensure that they will be properly preserved and studied. Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as "the greatest American architect of all time. He designed over 1,000 architectural works, including original and innovative examples of houses, offices, churches, schools, libraries, hotels, bridges and museums. About 500 of these works were built, and over 400 of them still stand. He also designed many of the interior elements of his buildings, such as the furniture, fabrics, stained glass, lamps, dinnerware, silver, linens and graphic arts. Wright died in 1959, but was already well known during his lifetime as an accomplished and visionary architect.. Discussion: (10 min) Do you like his designs? What types of lines does Wright use? (Line - An element of art; a continuous path of a point as it moves across a surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction, curvature or color.) How does he use repetition in his designs? (Repetition - A design that has parts that are used over and over again in a pleasing way.) What type of natural materials do you think could be used in the construction of an Organic style house? (Organic Architecture - A philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world; by integrating the building and furnishings so that they become a part of it s surroundings.) Two point perspective is the most commonly used drawing method in artistic and architectural work. It uses two vanishing points. When an object is drawn in this way, it is more realistic. (Two Point Perspective - a form of linear perspective in which lines appear to meet at two opposite points on the horizon.) Why do you think Wright used Two Point Perspective for his drawings?

3 Project: Two Point Perspective Architectural Drawing Project Materials: 10 x13 watercolor paper - 1 per student 12 x15 size and brown construction mounting paper - 1 per student Parent Letters - 1 per student Rulers - class set Regular pencils - class set Erasers - class set Watercolor pencils - class set Brushes, size 7- class set Water cups - class set White Glue - class set (6-8 bottles) Advance Preparation: Cut 20 x26 watercolor paper into four pieces, 10 x13 each Cut mounting paper to 12 x15 - save the scraps Copy and cut Parent Letter Mount Parent Letter to back of mounting paper Mini Lesson: (5 Min) Show kids how to properly make a pencil line with a ruler. Hand out pencils, rulers and 1/2 scrap sheet for practice. Have students hold pencil upright as they would normally write and have them place two dots anywhere on the page. Let them practice using the ruler to connect the dots by slowly and very lightly, drawing the pencil across the paper against the edge of the ruler, while FIRMLY holding the ruler with the opposite hand. This will stop the ruler from moving. Process: (30-40 min) Refer to the Power Point presentation for VISUAL step by step instructions. Step 1: Using your ruler and a regular pencil, LIGHTLY draw a horizontal line (horizon) in the lower third of your paper. Step 2: Using your ruler, draw a vertical line near the center of the paper (a little to the left of center) Emphasize that ALL lines be done lightly because some will be erased at the end of the project. Step 3: Place a dot (vanishing point) at both ends of the horizontal line (horizon). Step 4: Using a ruler, draw a line from the vanishing points to the top and bottom of the vertical line. Step 5: Draw the ends of the house by drawing two vertical lines, forming a left and right side of a box. Step 6: To draw the roof, first make an X on the short side of the house from corner to corner. Where the X intersects, draw a vertical line into the air. Step 7: The triangle that forms the peak of the roof is made from this vertical line.

4 Step 8: The top of the roof is drawn from the top of the triangle to the right hand vanishing point. Match the angle of the roof peak to the angle of the opposite peak (slide your ruler). Step 9: Erase extra lines so that the outline of the house is defined. Keep part of the horizon line as well. Wow - you ve just completed a drawing of a house using two point perspective! Step 10: Continue to add other features to your house, like a door and windows, using your ruler and one vanishing point. Remember that the sides will be vertical (just like the sides of the house). Step 11: If you wish, you may add a fence and/or sidewalk(s), using one vanishing point at a time. Step 12: Erase all extra lines. Step 13: Using watercolor pencils, darken lines on the house and lightly color in your masterpiece. Add some scenery like sky, trees, flowers and grass or cactus and rocks. Step 14: FINAL STEP Dip watercolor brush in water, then lightly wash over individual areas. Watercolor pencils will soften and blend. Make sure to rinse the brush between colors to avoid a brown muddy mess. Sign your artwork then glue to mounting paper. Congratulations - you re done! Clean up: Carefully wash and dry brushes and water cups for re-use. Re sharpen pencils for next class.

5 Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect, interior designer, writer and educator Stained Glass Window basket pattern