A Picture From Inside

 A Picture From Inside

Shared by Manuela Sánchez:

After working in class some vocabulary related to Art the student is asked to choose a picture, any painting he/she really likes.

Then they look at the picture attentively, whlie they listen to music of their liking and answer these leading questions:

1. LEADING QUESTIONS

DESCRIBING :

Who was it painted by ?

When and why was it painted?

How was it painted (materials and tools)?

2. Then they must describe the picture briefly:

EXPRESSIONS TO DESCRIBE:

In the upper part, at the bottom, on the right/left, in the foreground/background

3. FROM INSIDE : Theny choose any character, or object in the picture to be and imagine they are that character or object and answer these questions:

What are you doing there? Use a 3rd conditional sentence to explain why you are there

How are you feeling, why?

Where would you rather be?

What have you bee doing previously?

What will you do afterwards?

4. WRITING a TEXT arranging the previous answers.

5. EXAMPLES done by students

a) Las Meninas Velázquez , written by Lucía

The Meninas

This painting was painted by Velazquez in 1656 and is exhibited in the Prado Museum, in which the family of Felipe IV can be seen to be placed for Velazquez to paint them. besides the painter makes a self-portrait, in which. He is holding the brush in his left hand and the palette in the right hand.

In the picture you can see how one of the daughters holds a plate helped by her sister. Hello I am Pancho the dog that watches the house of King Philip IV, I’ve been told to stand in the living room for a gentleman to paint us. I don’t think so, because my lunch break has been interrupted. and also one of the girls who lives in this house keeps putting her foot on my back.

If I could I’d run because I can’t stand her. But I can’t do it because I always behave well with my owners, I don’t like people getting angry so I’ll wait until this is over. I hope it doesn’t take too long because I’m bored and sleepy.

b)Café Terrace at Night, Van Gogh, written by Mireya

Café Terrace at Night was painted by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh painted Café Terrace in 1888. This art work expresses Van Gogh´s new impressions of this part of France. It is an oil painting.

In the upper part there is a brilliant starry sky, in the background you can see how the Street continues and is darker and there is a horse too, on the right there is a couple and more people walking around the Street and on the left there are a lot of tables and people enjoying the night and at the bottom.

I´m working as a waitress in a café terrace in Arles, France. if I hadn't worked here I wouldn't have learned so much French but if I'd had the chance to be an actress I wouldn't have worked here. I feel a little tired but I´m happy because I have met a lot of amazing people working here and I think that it´s one of the most beautiful places of Arles. I would rather be acting in Arles´s theatre with other proffesionals of drama world. Before work I have visited my friend Lu and we were talking about an amazing book that she has found in the street, we were thinking about who it might belong to. After work I´ll probably make something to dinner for me and my cat, Moody, and think about all the things if have done during the day.

Here is the third example of what some of my students did for the wrinting activity A Picture From Inside. All of them are students in IES Zorrilla School in Valladolid.

c) Bedroom in Arles by Van Gogh, written by Carolina , 1ºbach.

“Bedroom in Arles” is an oil on canvas painted by Vincent Van Gogh. It was created in 1888 and it represents the artist’s bedroom.

I’m standing on Vincent’s room, as I usually do. Right opposite me, I can see his bed, and, on my left, there’s one chair and a little table, where he always keeps a glass of water to drink when he’s thirsty at night. The walls are completely covered with the splendid pictures that he paints. If Vincent hadn´t brought me here, I would have probably been in the living room all day long, warm in front of the fireplace, however I’m happier here. Being able to appear in one of his pictures makes me extremely glad. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else but here, I just wish the street could be seen through the window from where I’m standing. Before being here, I was in the living room, because Vincent had some guests over and needed me. Although I don’t know what we’ll do afterwards, I hope that he finds the time to take a look at my leg, because it hurts and I’m afraid it might be broken.

Because, after all, nobody would want to sit on a chair with a broken leg, right?