Chinese-Inspired Dragon

Elements of Art

Line: the flat path of a dot through space used by artists to control the viewer’s eye movement; a long narrow mark or stroke made on or in a surface; a thin mark made by a pencil, pen, or brush. 
Shape: a two-dimensional (flat) area enclosed by a line.
Space: the illusion of depth or space on a flat surface.
Texture: how a surface feels or appears to feel.

Principles of Design

Rhythm: the repetition of shapes, lines and forms; the repetition of elements of visual arts to create movement in an artwork.

Additional Vocabulary

Assemble: putting parts together to make a whole.
Layering: putting things on top of each other to imply depth.

Materials & Supplies

Context (History and/or Artists)

Chinese dragons, also known as East Asian dragons, are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and East Asian culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people in East Asian culture. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power.  The Chinese dragon has very different connotations from the European dragon – in European cultures, the dragon is a fire-breathing creature with aggressive connotations, whereas the Chinese dragon is a spiritual and cultural symbol that represents prosperity, protection and good luck, as well as a rain deity that fosters harmony. There is a Szechuan story of a boy, Nie Lang, who became a dragon that could be fun to read to your students:  Nie Lang and the White Hare.

Advanced Preparation

Print templates on cardstock and cut out for students to use.
Read The Water Dragon by Li Jian.

Tips & Tricks

• Look at images of Chinese dragons and dragon dances.  How are dragons a part of the Lunar New Year celebrations?

• What makes up a Chinese dragon?

• • Head of a camel
  • Horns of a stag (male deer)
  • Eyes of a demon
  • Ears of a cow
  • Neck of a snake

  • Belly of a clam
  • Scales of a carp
  • Claws of an eagle
  • Paws of a tiger

• Make a visual list of the details that are added to the dragons and how they are used. 

  • Fur on the mane
  • Scales
  • Claws
  • Horns

  • Whiskers
  • Tail
  • Cloud forms – stylized, curved lines

Reflection Point (Assessment of Learning Objectives)

• Students will design their own Chinese inspired dragon.

Instructions for Lesson

The beginning will be a guided drawing.  Demonstrate each step and have them follow you.  

1. Demonstrate drawing a “snake” body which is ends in a tail filling the page, while leaving space for the added elements.  Draw a curvy line first the follow with a parallel line that tapers at the tail.  Students should follow on their paper. 
     
     
2. Demonstrate for students how to trace around the template for the head, mane, tail and four legs onto their body.  Have students complete this step.
3. Demonstrate adding in details of mane, tail fur, scales, claws and clouds.
4. Students may practice their details on the scrap paper if they like.  
5. Students may work on their own from here adding in detail and coloring their design.
6. Don’t forget two eyes and draw pupils, nostrils and teeth.

References and Attributions

Lesson written by Juliette Ripley-Dunkelberger. Original lesson from ISD teachers through a grant from the Issaquah Schools Foundation in 2011. Additional resources: Mandarin for Children website ; Mr. Donn's Site for Kids and Teachers: Dragons Ancient China for Kids.

Notes for Educators

21st Century Thinking Skills
Visualizing, predicting.

WA State Learning Standards
(VA:Cr1.1.3) a. Elaborate on an imaginative idea.
(VA:Cr2.2.3) a. Demonstrate an understanding of the safe and proficient use of materials, tools, and equipment for a variety of artistic.
(VA:Cr3.1.3) a. Elaborate visual information by adding details in an artwork to enhance emerging meaning.
(VA:Pr6.1.3) a. Identify and explain how and where different cultures record and illustrate stories and history of life through art.

Arts Integration Opportunities
Social studies: Cultures Around the World/China, create a single dragon as a classroom project that winds around the classroom.
Writing prompt about this dragons’ powers and how it helps people.

Please note:  These lesson plans are intended for non-profit use only. Use of these plans for commercial purposes should give attribution to the Issaquah Schools Foundation and be accompanied by a nominal donation at www.isfdn.org/donate. Thank you.

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