Minds On
Let’s get started!
Notice and wonder
Explore the following paintings.
What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Winter Landscape with Skaters by Hendrick Avercamp, 1608, oil on panel
Winter Landscape by Hendrick Avercamp, 1600s, oil on panel
A carousel of two images. Image 1: This winter landscape with skaters is an oil painting of a town in the winter. In the town there is a frozen large river where people are skating on, playing golf and riding a horse drawn carriage. There is a church in the background and a few buildings. Image 2: This winter landscape is an oil painting of people skating on ice. There are trees that surround the skaters and a house and a small wooden worn out shed on the right side of the background.
Student Success
Analyzing the paintings
These paintings were created a long time ago. What kind of clues are in the painting to help us know they are from long ago?
Do you like these kinds of paintings? Why or why not?
Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Hendrick Avercamp
Artists create paintings and drawings of many different things.
Some artists paint things they imagine in their minds, others paint things from their everyday life.
Artist Hendrick Avercamp lived a long, long time ago. Clues in his paintings that tell us this fact include:
- different styles of clothing
- styles of houses
He was a landscape painter and he liked to paint winter activities. Through his paintings, he told a story.
What is a landscape?
A landscape is an image of the outdoors. A landscape can have hills and trees. A landscape can have buildings and people.
A Scene on the Ice
Let's examine a painting by Hendrik Averkamp entitled A Scene on the Ice.
Click the image to enlarge in a new window.
Scene on the Ice by Hendrick Avercamp, 1625, oil on panel
This is an oil painting of a winter scenery. In the middle is a frozen body of water. There are many people everywhere. Some are skating, some are playing kolf, some are riding a horse drawn sled, and some are ice fishing.
What kind of story is Hendrick Avercamp telling in this painting?
Press 'Answer' to access a possible answer to check your understanding.
Hendrick Avercamp is telling the story of a winter day in the Netherlands during the 1600s.
What does Hendrick Avercamp include in the background?
What is a background?
The part of an artwork that appears to be the most far away from an audience. A background is often behind the other shapes.
Press 'Answer' to access a possible answer to check your understanding.
Click the image to enlarge in a new window.
A Scene on the Ice by Hendrick Avercamp, 1625, oil on panel
A painting of people skating on an outdoor ice rink. There are also dogs and horses on the ice. Houses, boats and buildings in the background are circled.
He added a few houses and boats in the background.
What are some of the actions the people and animals are doing in this painting?
Press 'Answer' to access a possible answer to check your understanding.
Click the image to enlarge in a new window.
A Scene on the Ice by Hendrick Avercamp, 1625, oil on panel
People are:
- ice fishing
- riding sleighs
- skating
- playing kolf, a game that mixes parts of golf and hockey
A dog is running.
A horse is pulling a sleigh.
Go!
Creating a story
If you could create your own story design, what would you include?
Think about the following questions and record your ideas using a method of your choice.
- What would the weather be?
- Where would it take place? (i.e. outside, inside etc.)
- Who would be in the story?
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Illustrating your story
Materials Needed
Materials needed
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- a blank sheet of paper or an art journal
- drawing materials such as pencils or crayons
- an electronic tablet for drawing
- any other art materials you like to use
Student Success
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
It's time to create your own story design! Press the following tabs to access the options for this activity.
Create a description of what you would use to create the story design and what kind of details you would like to add.
Use a digital application to create the story design. You may use the template and steps that are found after the tabs.
Use art materials of your choice to complete your artwork. You may use the template and steps that are found after the tabs.
Explore the following carousel to learn the steps to creating your own story design. Check out the two examples other learners have made!
Step 1: Create a background.
Step 2: Add people doing actions or objects.
Step 3: Add more details and/or colour to your design.
Portfolio
Art portfolio
Add your story design to your art portfolio and answer the following questions using a method of your choice:
- What did you enjoy about this activity?
- What did you learn from the work of Hendrick Avercamp?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.