Degas Ballerinas

ement and emotion with this Degas-Inspired Ballerina Painting lesson!
Students explore the expressive style of Edgar Degas through layered painting and monoprinting techniques. Inspired by Degas’ iconic depictions of dancers, this two-part lesson guides students in creating textured backgrounds, printing tutu shapes, and painting dynamic ballerina forms that reflect gesture, rhythm, and emotion.

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What’s Included:

• Success criteria for student achievement

• Step-by-step lesson instructions in PDF and PowerPoint formats

• Reflection questions for deeper learning

• Art vocabulary tailored to Degas’ focus on texture, form, and movement

• Links to Degas artworks including The Dance Class, Dancers at the Barre, and Little Dancer of Fourteen Years

• Curriculum links aligning with Australian Visual Arts standards

• Assessment rubric for knowledge, technique, and reflection

• Differentiation tips for varied skill levels

• Optional gallery walk and display suggestions

• Short video demonstrating scraper painting and monoprinting techniques

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Materials Used:

• Cartridge paper

• Acrylic paint

• Thin card for scraping

• Plastic bags or Glad Wrap for monoprinting

• Brushes for expressive painting

• Skin-toned paint for figure work