Impressionism & Oil Pastels: Edgar Degas Study

Lesson Objectives
  • To examine and analyze Impressionist techniques, light, and movement in the works of Edgar Degas.
  • To apply oil pastel blending, layering, and cross-hatching techniques to create an expressive drawing.
  • To articulate creative choices and technical observations using structured art terminology and sentence frames.
Language Development
  • Vocabulary
    • Impressionist Techniques: Mark-making, Layering, Blending, Sgraffito, Complementary Contrast, Light and Shadow.
    • Descriptive & Action Adjectives: Dynamic, Expressive, Textured, Luminous, Fluid, Rhythmic.
  • Composition / Sentence Frames
    • “In my oil pastel drawing, I used [technique] to show…”
    • “Inspired by Degas, my artwork captures movement by…”
Activity Sequence
  1. Introduction / Warm-Up & Art Inquiry (10 mins)
    • Present selected pastel and painting works by Edgar Degas (e.g., The Dance Class, The Tub).
    • Facilitate a quick turn-and-talk: “How does Degas use visible marks and vibrant pastel layering to capture motion and light rather than rigid lines?”
  2. Guided Demo & Oil Pastel Technique Setup (10 mins)
    • Demonstrate oil pastel layering, pressure variance, color mixing directly on paper, and blending techniques.
    • Model how to build up dark values and highlights to emulate the luminous quality found in Impressionist works.
    • Model completing a sentence frame analyzing technical choices on the board.
  3. Independent Studio Work (20 mins)
    • Students create an expressive oil pastel drawing focusing on dynamic form, light, and texture.
    • Students complete corresponding reflection sentence frames about their mark-making and technical approach.
    • Teacher circulates to support pastel blending methods and material management.
  4. Peer Share & Reflection (5 mins)
    • Students share their finished pastel studies with a partner, reading their sentence frames and discussing how they applied Impressionist principles.
Materials
  • Oil Pastel Sets & Blending Tools (tortillions or paper stumps)
  • Heavyweight Drawing or Pastel Paper
  • Kneaded Erasers & Fixative Spray
  • Master Artwork Projection Slides (Edgar Degas)
Standards
  • NCAS Creating — Anchor Standard 2 (HS Proficient): Through experimentation, practice, and persistence, demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form.
  • NCAS Responding — Anchor Standard 8 (HS Proficient): Interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.
  • NCAS Connecting — Anchor Standard 11 (HS Proficient): Compare uses of art in a variety of societal, cultural, and historical contexts and make connections to uses of art in contemporary, local, and global contexts.
Art References
  • Edgar Degas – The Dance Class (La Classe de danse) (1874)
  • Edgar Degas – The Tub (Le Tub) (1886)
  • Edgar Degas – Dancer Adjusting Her Slippers (1873)

Images