Yayoi Kusama Oil Pastel Print

In this lesson students explore the art elements of shape and pattern to create a Yayoi Kusama inspired patterned print. Students use oil pastels to create a base for their print on paper. Students trace over their pastel with another sheet of paper and a pencil drawing in patterns to create a transfer.

Lesson 1

Students explore the work of Yayoi Kusama. Discuss as a class the way she creates shapes and patterns in her work and her sources of inspiration. Demonstrate how students can create a monoprint using oil pastels and how patterns can be created using this method.

Students use oil pastels to cover a sheet of paper in colour. Students may choose to create a pattern on their paper or simply fill the page with colour.

Lesson 2

Students use their coloured paper from their last lesson and trace over the top with another sheet of paper. Students should consider what kind of pattern they are creating and how this relates to the work of Kusama.

Once students complete their pattern print they can choose how to present their work. Students may mount their finished piece on coloured paper as their print and pastel drawing or just their print

Reflection:

Students analyse how their work is similar and different to Kusama’s. Students discuss how they have used shape and pattern in their work and the process they went through to create their piece.

Extension:

Students can work in larger or smaller scales or create multiple small scale patterned pieces and display their works in interesting ways.

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