Discusses the use of sketches and maquettes (idea models usually made of clay) as a preparatory method for a final artwork. Suggests ways to teach students about the importance of planning an artwork. Discusses the sketches and maquettes of sculptural pieces by Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, and Antoine Pevsner. (CMK)

Presents background information on the life of Galen Rowell. Includes ideas for teaching activities and a reproduction of one of his photographs. Describes the content of the photograph, exploring Rowell's use of alpenglow, a condition that occurs when the light of the setting sun strikes a mountain peak after the valleys are in shade. (CMK)

Provides information about the artist Katsukawa Shuntei and his artwork entitled "The Warrior Egara no Heita Battling with the Giant Serpent" that is a wood-block print. Describes how block prints are created and offers learning activities. Includes background information on the artwork. (CMK)

Provides background information on the artistic movement, Expressionism. Focuses on well known artists and describes Expressionist art. Includes art activities and a reproduction of a painting by John Marin. Presents information on Marin's life, career, and an analysis of the painting. (CMK)

Focuses on works of art that are serpentine, which means the artist either depicts snakes or use snake-like designs. Explains that the four examples given are to motivate students to search for more examples. Discusses different ways to help students learn about serpentine designs by observing real snakes. (CMK)

Discusses art work that uses exotic decoration, and the problems with viewing examples of these types of art work due to the types of materials used. Offers examples of exotic decoration to help students create their own works of art. (CMK)

Provides background information on the art movement called "Minimalism" discussing why it started and its characteristics. Includes learning activities and information on the artist, Donald Judd. Includes a reproduction of one of his art works and discusses its content. (CMK)

Provides historical information on the artistic movement, surrealism, and discusses influential artists. Presents art activities, information on the life and career of Joseph Cornell, and an analysis of his Surrealist box, "Medici Slot Machine." Includes a reproduction of the "Medici Slot Machine." (CMK)

Provides historical information on the art movement of Precisionism. Includes teaching activities and a reproduction of an artwork, "Conversation: Sky and Earth" (Charles Sheeler). Focuses on the life and career of Sheeler and discusses the content of the painting. (CMK)

Provides information on Willie Bester, who lived under Apartheid in South Africa and used his art to bring public attention to the plight of persecuted people. Includes a reproduction of Bester's collage, "Crossroads." Discusses the history and social message of "Crossroads." (CMK)

Explains that if students want to depict predatory animals in works of art, they need to learn the shapes of the animals and their habitats. Discusses four artworks (reproductions included) that depict predatory animals by Darrel Austin, Ando Hiroshige, Antoine Louis Barye, and John Singleton Copley (CMK)

Discusses maritime paintings addressing such topics as why artists are attracted to sailing vessels and the content of the paintings. Includes reproductions of paintings by Edward Hopper, John H. B. Everett, Lyonel Feininger, and Willem van de Velde the Younger. Selects works to help students realize that maritime art is quite varied. (CMK)

Focuses on David Bates and his artwork entitled "Blackwater I." Includes background information, activities based on the artwork, and a reproduction of the painting. Describes the painting, focusing on how it is like and unlike folk art. (CMK)

Discusses spirals in nature, man-made objects, and art. Focuses on art that incorporates the spiral, including works by M. C. Escher and Frank Lloyd Wright, an African headdress, and a burial urn. Describes activities to help students make spirals of their own, such as constructing a coil clay pot. (CMK)

Provides a reproduction of a painting called "Torpedo" by Roy Lichtenstein that was chosen because of facial expression. Includes learning activities for use with students as well as background information about the artist and the painting. (CMK)