Trading Cards

2.5 X 3.5 inches

Minnesota 9-12 Visual Art Standards
Used in this Lesson

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
  • 1A. Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space; and principles such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are combined to communicate meaning in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1b. Evaluate how the principles of visual art such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
  • 2a. Integrate the characteristics of the tools, materials and techniques of a selected media in original artworks to support artistic purposes.

  • 3. Demonstrate understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts that influence the arts areas.
  • 3a. Analyze how visual artworks influence and are influenced by personal, social, cultural or historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 3b. Synthesize and express an individual view of the meaning and functions of visual art.
  • 4. Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 4a. Create a single, complex artwork or multiple artworks to express ideas.

  • 4b. Revise artworks based on artistic intent and using multiple sources of critique and feedback.

  • 6. Respond to or critique a variety of creations or performances using the artistic foundations.
  • 6a. Analyze, interpret and evaluate works of visual art by applying self-selected criteria within the traditions of the art form.

  • 6b. Justify choices of self-selected criteria based on knowledge of how criteria affects criticism.

    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Art History
  • Pop culture
    • Before the internet, Trading Cards were popular for baseball players, football players, and even movie characters. When Mr. Kulzer was young Star wars cards were popular because they were one of the few ways a person could see those strange places, spaceships, and creatures again after the movie had left the theater.

    Trading cards are discussed in class and design elements pointed out.

    Artist trading cards are made by artists and traded at swap events world wide. More information can be found here. Or download a PDF here.

    Next, a quick overview of Art History is shown in class so students know some pivotal players in the art world.

    Students are to research two of the artists mentioned in the Art History presentation and make a trading card for each of them. (Students may choose a reputable artist not on the list if they get it approved by the teacher first.)

    Artist list:
  • Giotto
  • Donatello
  • Masaccio
  • DaVinci
  • Michelangelo
  • Raphael
  • Titian
  • Bernini
  • Poussin
  • Lorrain
  • Rembrandt
  • Watteau
  • Reynolds (Not Ryan)
  • Pajou
  • Houdon
  • Manet
  • Monet
  • Renoir
  • Degas
  • Rodin
  • Seurat
  • VanGogh
  • Cezanne
  • Escher
  • Picasso
  • Dali
  • DeKooning
  • Pollock
  • Rothko
  • Lichtenstein
  • Worhol
  • Chuck Close
  • Mackenzie
  • Giancola
  • Tiemans

    • Students are to make two Artist Trading Cards that are 2.5 X 3.5 inches. An image of the artist or his artwork must be included on one side while some stats should be included on the back. (Stats can include things like birth/death dates, Important works, Country they lived, Historical style of artwork (Renaissance, Cubist, etc.), Medium used (Watercolor, oil paint, Stone sculpture, bronze, clay, etc.), a list of other artworks by the artist, and other interesting facts.

    Click here for a gallery of student trading cards.

     Evaluation:
    3 points -- Nicely drawn Graphic
    2 points -- Big bold Title text included with graphic and frame on front.
    3 points -- Nicely designed and thorough stats text on back, including frame
    3 points -- Finished presentation

    10 Points Total











    Back to top