This document provides information about a lesson plan involving painting on tortillas. The lesson teaches students about the cultural significance of tortillas in Hispanic culture and the artwork of Joe Bravo, who paints designs on tortillas. Students will learn about the role of tortillas, study Bravo's work, prepare tortillas for painting, and create their own tortilla artwork reflecting aspects of Hispanic culture. The document outlines objectives, cultural context, materials, procedures, examples of student work, and contact information.

1. Tortillas
With A Twist
Mary Cavazos
Lena Rodriguez
Grand Prairie Independent
School District

2. Tortillas With a Twist
 Objectives: In this project students will learn
about the role of the tortilla in Hispanic culture
and the art of and technique of artist Joe Bravo.

3. The Role of the
Tortilla
 The tortillas are a major part of
the Hispanic culture and diet.
 They are used for tacos,
enchiladas, flautas and fried for
nachos. Tortillas are commonly
used as eating utensils, i.e. as a
plate in a tostada, holding in
food as in wraps and burritos,
and as a “scoop” for beans,
rice, meats and much more.
 They are found at festivals,
celebrations and even enjoyed
at restaurants.

4. About Joe Bravo
 In this project, students will study the artwork of Joe Bravo.
Bravo’s tortillas act as the canvas for his amazing paintings.
He uses every aspect of the tortilla in a creative and unique
approach, turning cooked marks into eyes and ridges into
snakes.

8. Tortilla Books
 Theis a collection of Childrens books that can
encourage both reading and learning about
the tortilla.

9. Lesson Preparation
 It is important that you introduce this project to
the students using the historical references of the
tortilla and where tortillas might be seen in our
world today.
 MAKE CONNECTIONS about the PAST and
PRESENT
 Introduce the artist aspect with examples of Joe
Bravo’s work. You can use the images through
this Power Point, or at Joe Bravo’s website.
http://www.joebravo.net

10. Tortilla Preparation
 You can use the oven, stove or flat griddle to cook
the tortilla.
 Once cooked, the tortillas are very brittle and
fragile so you need to coat both sides with acrylic
varnish.
I prefer the Liquitex brand which can be found through most art
supply stores and catalogs. The varnish also makes the tortilla pliable
and will resist breaking so easily.
 Afterthe varnish dries, they are ready for painting.
 The tortilla should be hard, almost leather like.

11. Lesson Plan
 GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten thru 12th
 TEKS CONNECTIONS
See the Project Summary and TEKS Connections Page
Social Studies – Native American or Hispanic Culture
 TIME PERIOD
This part of the project will vary depending on the
material and lesson preparation and how much you get
into studying the culture. For my class it took 4 – 50 minute
classes.

12. Lesson Plan
 MATERIALS
corn/flour tortillas
paintbrushes
1 cup of water
acrylic paints
sharpie/permanent marker
 KEY CONCEPTS/VOCABULARY
Tortilla, Texture, Line, Shape, Form, Color, Value and
other words that might be associated with the culture
being studied

13. Lesson Plan
 PROCEDURE
1. After the tortillas have been prepared for the project, hand
out 1 tortilla to each student.
You could also alter this project by have the students complete it in pairs.
2. Have students notice the texture and shape of the tortilla.
Some tortillas will have air pockets or will be cooked in
different places. This will either be a challenge or advantage
to their design.
3. Using a permanent marker, students can draw on the
tortilla. Be cautious as this will leave little room for error.

14. Lesson Plan
 PROCEDURE
4. As the students are creating their design,
encourage them to push their idea farther
and think of the culture that they are
showing on their tortilla.
5. When students have completed drawing
their design, they can use acrylic paint to
color in their pictures.

15. Lesson Plan
 PROCEDURE
6. After all of the areas are painted allow
the tortilla to dry.

16. Lesson Plan
MODIFICATIONS
This project can be modified in several ways…
 encourage students to create abstract patterns that
they might see in this culture.
 allow students extra time to work on the project.
 assist students in drawing their design onto the tortilla.

17. Samples of
Elementary
Student Work

18. Samples of
Elementary
Student Work

19. Samples of
Middle School
Student Work
6th Grade

20. Samples of
Middle School
Student Work
7th & 8th Grade

21. Samples of
High School
Student Work

22. Samples
of High
School
Student
Work

23. Contact Information
 MaryCavazos, Fine Arts Academy at
Grand Prairie High School
Mary.Cavazos@gpisd.org
 LenaRodriguez, Fine Arts Academy at
Reagan Middle School
Lena.Rodriguez@gpisd.org
www.drawpaintsculptrepeat.blogspot.com