Catesby Investigation

Procedure
Hook: In 1729 Mark Catesby publish the Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands.  This book illustrated the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) found in the new land. Drawing was used as a tool during that time for the study of nature.  Artists carefully studied the plants and animals and created drawings and paintings to help explain to people in Europe. A scientific illustrator (botanical illustrator) is a person who paints and sketches plants and animals. Images are usually created life size but may be scaled by showing another object.  Plants are usually illustrated showing the upper and reverse sides of leaves, flowers, root systems and seeds.

Do 1: Activity: View Catesby’s Artwork 
Students will investigate multiple works of art created by Mark Catesby.  They will discuss in small groups what they see, why these images were made, and the significance of this artwork.
Do 2: Activity: Paint like Catesby
The students will choose an image created by Catesby and draw it on the watercolor paper. Then paint their sketch using a similar color scheme and color blending style.

Extension:
Ecology and ecosystems
The students will research where and how the nature item is part of the ecosystem where it is found.
Career Connections: Science Illustrators- Creating visuals for science displays, journals, and textbooks.

Engage
Demonstration: Observational illustrations
 As a person creates it is important to observe what you really see.  Rely on your eyes. Relying on memory will provide an inaccurate image. Students should consider the following questions as they investigate Catesby’s artwork.

• What do you notice in the images? (plants, animals, insects)
• What other objects do you see in the image? 
• Why are there other objects? (to compare size, to show what other species are in that environment)
• What elements of art such as color, texture, space and value could be used to demonstrate the detail of the image

Explore
1. Observe and investigate
Distribute copies of Catesby’s images to the students allow them to discuss in small groups what they see.  Then share what they have found.  List the findings on the whiteboard. 
2. Sketch 
 Allow the students to choose an image from Catesby’s work to sketch onto practice paper paying close attention to the details and sizing of the images.  Consider the 
 environment and make notes regarding the habitat and other animals and plants.
3. Final Product
 The students will use their sketches and observational notes to create a final work onto watercolor paper, sketching first then  adding watercolors paying close attention to the 
 details and patterns found in the artwork

Elaborate
Design from Nature
If available, allow students to take a nature walk and draw and paint directly from nature just as Catesby did.

Explain
Write an artist’s statement 
Students will write a paragraph describing their artwork and the observations they made.   

Evaluate
Complete a Self-Evaluation, Catesby/Elements of Art Quiz and project rubric.
 

Self-Evaluation for “Catesby Investigation”
Student Name:___________________________________ Date: ______________________                                                           Student will complete a self-evaluation, answer the questions and write a full and complete artist statement about his/her project.                                                                                         

Student
Teacher
Criteria for Art Work-10 points

 
 
2 points- Group discussion: Did you participate? Did you answer questions?

 
 
1 point – Care/Effort- Did you take your time and do your BEST work?

 
 
1 point – Composition & Design- Did you use the full paper and paint everything?

 
 
1 points – follow directions- Did you use blending techniques

 
 
2 points – Show Details- Did you show details like Catesby?

 
 
3 points- In the space below demonstrate three different shading values
 
 

 
 
1 point – Botanical Illustrator?
 

 
 
1 point – What ecosystem do the objects in your painting belong?
 

 
 
1 point – Who is Marc Catesby?
 

 
 
1 point- What did Marc Catesby do to help advance South Carolina?
 

 
 
1 point- What was going on in South Carolina when Catesby painted these pictures?

 
 
5 points- Artist Statement

 
 
TOTAL (20 points possible)

Artist Statement: (5points)
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Teacher Comments: