BEYE Discovery: Iconic Animals of the Halloween Season: Moths

Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Assistant Teacher

Ms. Bernstein demonstrating moth shapes and broken hues

Today, we completed an exciting week of illustration techniques with our Halloween themed animal specimens from the Field Museum, focusing our attention on moths and experimenting with broken hues. Students learned about the moth life cycle, their behaviors, camouflage adaptations, and moth folklore from various cultures. Did you know that in many moth myths, moths are believed to be the spirit of a deceased family member? We also discussed a moth’s proclivity for flying towards lights. There are a number of theories concerning this phenomenon, however lepidopterists (scientists who study moths and butterflies) haven’t completely solved this mystery. We also examined Luna moth specimens* which are a beautiful lime green color!

*the Luna moth specimens are donations given to Beye Discovery by the Schafernak-Perez family last year, for which we are most grateful!

Earlier lessons this week explored line, shape, and form ~ today we added hue and color mixing. Moths can be incredibly colorful (like the eye-catching Luna moths) however most often they are colored with earth tones, providing a perfect opportunity to paint with broken hues: broken hues contain all three primary colors in differing amounts and can create rich colors that are realistic and muted. When you add more of one of the primary colors, the broken hue will lean in the direction of that color.

For the project, students were given large colorful photos of moths to use as inspiration. As you can see below, everyone was successful at mixing beautiful colors and painting lovely moths, both real and imaginary!