Charley Harper Art of the Month Study

Dive into the life and fascinating geometric nature art of Charley Harper in our newest Artist Study for the whole family. Harper specialized in nature, especially birds, and his love for the world around him comes out in his beautifully stylized art. This beloved American artist, who captured nature in simple but engaging artwork, will come alive for your family!
 
In this study, children will learn about Charley Harper’s life, his experience scouting in WWII, and his artistic career that ranged from magazine covers to fine art pieces to wall tile mosaics. Explore how he used seemingly simple shapes to create mesmerizing serigraphs of animals, using patterns and texture in his nature-themed art. Hands-on art projects, discussion prompts, flashcards, comparison activities, recipes, and optional extensions help families adapt the study for different ages and learning styles.
 
Inside this Charley Harper Artist Study, you will find:
 
A suggested schedule and book recommendations
An introduction to Charley Harper and his artistic career
A biographical timeline
Artist fact and contribution cards
Art observation and discussion activities
A study of line, color, texture, shape, form, space, and value
A Venn diagram for comparing artworks
Lessons exploring patterns, texture, and Charley Harper’s illustration work
Hands-on projects inspired by Harper’s artwork
Information on Harper’s quirky, clever art captions (or prose poems)
Illustrating scientific concepts activity for advanced learners
Artist-inspired recipes and enrichment ideas
Adaptable activities for younger, middle-grade, and advanced students
 
Whether used as a complete artist study or as an addition to art history lessons, this unit encourages children to slow down, observe carefully, discuss what they notice, and experiment with new ways of creating art.