Surrealism Art Project Max Ernst Art Lesson Birding Surrealist Step By Step Art

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★★ “So cute!” Create My Life, TPT review

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Are you looking for a Surrealism art project that feels creative, strange in the best way, and absolutely stunning on display? Do you want a Max Ernst art lesson that helps students explore value, line, shape, contrast, and surreal visual storytelling through a strong black and white composition? This Birding Surrealist art project is such a fabulous choice for art teachers, classroom teachers, and homeschool families who want an upper elementary or middle grades lesson that feels artistic, memorable, and deeply engaging.

This step by step PDF tutorial guides students through creating a surreal black and white artwork inspired by Max Ernst. Students build an eerie urban setting, add graphic shading with hatching and cross hatching, then draw bird headed human figures in motion and glue them into the final composition. The result feels dramatic, mysterious, and wonderfully weird, which honestly is exactly what makes surrealism so fun to teach.

If you are searching for a Surrealism art lesson, Max Ernst inspired art project, black and white value drawing activity, bird headed figure drawing lesson, step by step PDF art tutorial, or a printable surrealist art resource, this one is such a strong fit. It works beautifully for classroom art, homeschool visual art, sub plans, drawing units, value studies, and art lessons where you want students to create something that feels original and display worthy.

Do you want an art lesson that pushes students beyond ordinary drawing? Are you hoping for a surrealist step by step tutorial that teaches actual art skills while still leaving room for imagination? Would you love a Max Ernst inspired project that creates the kind of finished artwork students cannot stop staring at? This one is such a gem.

THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES A STEP BY STEP PDF TUTORIAL

This resource includes a non editable PDF tutorial with step by step visuals, lesson planning pages, printable supports, reflection pages, and assessment materials. It is designed to help you guide students through the artwork with confidence using clear printable pages and visual directions.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: (Non-Editable)

• Full Non Editable PDF Resource
• Cover Page
• About The Resource Page with prep and teaching guidance
• 2 Lesson Plan Pages with lesson overview materials and teacher directions
• National Art Standards Page
• Critical Thinking Questions Page
• Art Project Rubric Page
• Art Reflection Page
• Instagram Reflection Page
• Elements Of Art And Principles Of Design Reflection Page
• Artist Statement Pages
• Example Artwork Page
• How To Draw Birding Surrealist Art Inspired By Max Ernst Page with step by step visual support
• Individual step by step drawing and shading pages
• Printable Student Support Pages

WHY TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES WILL LOVE THIS RESOURCE

This Surrealism art project is such a strong way to combine imagination and skill building in one memorable lesson. Students are not just copying an image. They are learning how surrealism can transform an ordinary scene into something unexpected, symbolic, and visually powerful. That makes the project feel fresh and exciting from the very beginning.

It is also a fantastic lesson for exploring the Element of Art Value. Students practice hatching, cross hatching, layered shading, and tonal contrast across buildings, ground, boxes, and figures. That gives them a real chance to strengthen drawing skills while still creating something playful and strange.

And honestly, the finished artwork looks amazing. The bird headed figures running through the scene, the black and white tonal range, and the dramatic composition make this one of those art lessons that instantly makes a display board look sophisticated and intriguing.

PERFECT FOR

• Surrealism Art Lessons
• Max Ernst Inspired Art Projects
• Value Drawing Activities
• Black And White Art Projects
• Step By Step PDF Art Tutorials
• Figure Drawing Lessons
• Homeschool Art
• Sub Plans
• Upper Elementary Art
• Display Worthy Student Artwork

MATERIALS USED

This lesson may use pencil, eraser, black felt marker, drawing pencils or a range of pencils if available, card stock or watercolor paper, watercolor paints or tempera paint cakes, paint brush, and water.

FAQ

Q: Who can use this resource

A: This resource is great for art teachers, classroom teachers, substitute teachers, and homeschool families who want an engaging Surrealism art project or Max Ernst inspired step by step tutorial.

Q: How can this resource be used

A: You can use it for art class, homeschool visual art, Surrealism units, value drawing lessons, black and white art projects, sub plans, or printable step by step art instruction focused on shading and composition.

Q: How long will this art lesson take

A: This resource will usually take 1 to 3 classes to complete depending on student age and skill level, class behavior, teacher instruction style, and the amount of time available in each class.

Q: Is this a video lesson

A: This resource is designed as a step by step PDF tutorial with printable visual directions and lesson support pages.

Q: What makes this lesson stand out

A: This lesson blends surreal imagery, black and white shading, and strong value contrast in a way that feels imaginative and visually rich. Students create a strange and memorable surrealist scene with bird headed figures that looks incredible on display.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron Ms Artastic is an artist and educator who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine October 2025. She creates engaging art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers, homeschool families, and art educators who want meaningful creative learning experiences without the overwhelm. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast. You can start your own child's or classroom's creative journey by grabbing this FREE Art Lesson Starter Pack

Images and Lessons are Copyright Products

YOU MAY:

For clip art, you may use them as clip art, website graphics, binder covers, or even bulletin board decorations.

Use this in creative ways! Explore and have as much fun with it as you would like

By additional licensing for school use.

YOU MAY NOT:

Use this on OutSchool

Put on your Blog

Share this product with other teachers, administration or districts. Admin can buy additional licensing.

Sell this product or give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic

FILES YOU WILL DOWNLOAD

• Surrealism, Birding, Max Ernst Inspired Art Project, Ms Artastic.pdf: the complete art lesson (PDF)

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