While analyzing the work of German Expressionist artist Franz Marc, the 8th graders pointed out characteristics that were present in all of the examples. Some of the things they noticed were simplified animals, unrealistic colors, and abstract backgrounds. We also discussed how color was used; two ways we focused on were using color as a separation between the animal and background as well as using colors to show moods or emotions. We looked at examples of animal paintings that were blue and compared them to animals painted in yellow. Students came up with other colors that are often associated with specific emotions or moods.
