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Fantasy Designs

Explore literature in a visual way by discussing the abstract artwork of Frank Stella. Create a Fantasy Design based on your classroom’s current reading material.

  • Grade 5
    Grade 6
    Grades 7 and 8
  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Directions

    1. Explore the “The Symphony” by Frank Stella with the students. This work of art was inspired by Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick. Notice that the swirls and curves mimic the ocean waters in which Moby Dick swam. Discuss how the imagery in this piece relates to the book.
    2. Engage the students in a discussion about what happens when they read a story. Do they imagine the characters acting out each scene? Do they envision the scenery, surroundings, and colors? What sparks these visions?
    3. How can the mood or emotion of a story be captured visually? Discuss a book the students are currently reading and give examples of tone, mood, and emotions in that book. In what forms, shapes, colors, and textures can those examples be visually represented? Refer back to “The Symphony” for inspiration.
    4. Instruct each student to create a multi-media work of art capturing the motion and emotion of a book he or she is currently reading. Encourage students to experiment with a variety of products like Crayola® Metallic Colored Pencils, Crayola® Watercolor Pencils, Crayola® Twistables® Slick Stix™, Crayola® Oil Pastels, and Portfolio™ Series Oil Pastels.
    5. Demonstrate several blending, smudging, and texturing technique to inspire students’ creativity. Also try using products on alternative surfaces. For example, Slick Stix glide beautifully over Foil Gift Wrap, and Metallic Colored Pencils look great on black charcoal paper. Stain Advisement: Slick Stix contain pigments that may stain clothing, fabrics and other household surfaces. Wear a smock to protect clothing and cover your work surface with newspaper.
    6. For a layered or collaged effect, cut out swirls and shapes and attach to the design using Crayola® No-Run School Glue.
  • Standards








  • Adaptations

    Add a writing component to this lesson and assess student comprehension by instructing students to write a paragraph explaining the motions and emotions of the book represented in their Fantasy Designs.

    Display the students’ artwork around the classroom and discuss each piece. What common elements can be seen in the designs? Encourage students to explain the inspirations for their designs. What interesting and unique art techniques were used?

    Students write a creative short story using descriptive language. Create an abstract cover for the story in the style of artist Frank Stella.


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