AN ART LESSON INSPIRED BY THE CULTURE OF INDIA

I’ve taught this lesson to my upper elementary students for a few years now, as part of a cultural-based unit on India.

The students are provided with examples of symbols commonly found in Mehndi Hand Artwork.

This exposes them to the idea that art can represent the cultural tradition of a community.

(VA: Cn10.1.4 Create works of art that reflect community cultural traditions.)

Once students form an understanding this concept, they have a foundation for creating art that reflects their own traditions and cultural identity through projects such as this mixed media lesson: Past and Future Mixed Media Hands Project from A Space To Create.

ABOUT HENNA HANDS

Henna hand art is also known as Mehndi.

Mehndi hand decorating is part of Indian heritage. It is a special tradition that is done in celebration of special occasions, like weddings and birthdays.

Henna is a plant that is dried out and ground up to make an ink paste. Then, it is pushed through a pen-shaped tube as the artist creates detailed designs.

This art is applied directly to the skin, typically onto hands and feet.

One of the most common questions students have is this, “Does it ever come off?”

The Henna paste dyes skin, but it is not permanent. Just like a temporary tattoo, the ink fades after about a week.

THE HENNA HANDS ART LESSON

DIRECTIONS

The instructions are given using FOUR steps.

The first step uses a precut template, that students use to trace. By positioning the right angle of the arm against the corner of the paper, students can fit the template to a standard sized piece of construction paper.

Next, the students cut on the traced line to create the hand shape. Then they decide which symbols to use.

Once the students have practiced their patterns by repetitively drawing their symbols on scrap paper or in their sketchbooks, they divide the hand into spaces that will be covered by the patterns.

The spaces are filled using repetition of the symbols they’ve practiced, and other simple repetitive lines– zig zag, curvy and parallel.

SKILLS

The learner will practice

Tracing using a template
Cutting on a line
Drawing with a marker

The skills emphasized in this lesson

Increase spatial awareness
Improve fine motor skills

TECHNIQUES

While creating this lesson, students improve technique by

Determining line styles to create a motif
Replicating line styles across a defined space

AGE LEVEL

This Henna Hands Art Lesson is designed for students in fourth grade but can be modified.

When teaching students of different ages levels, a variation on materials or an emphasis on an advanced technique can modify the project to be appropriate for your students’ capabilities.