"Finished works don’t materialize out of thin air. Authors, artists, musicians, architects, animators—nearly all creators go through one or more rough drafts before coming up with a finished product. For the drafts below, consider how much the work changes from one iteration to the next, and research the techniques that artists can use to transfer their sketches onto canvases?"

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​Mona Lisa (Louvre) by Leonardo da Vinci (c. 16th century): 

• Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian artist, inventor, scientist, and engineer from the Renaissance.

• The artwork is displayed at the Louvre Museum.

• The painting shows a woman sitting calmly and looking directly at the viewer.

• Many historians believe the woman is Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a merchant from Florence.

• The painting is famous for the subject’s mysterious smile, which seems to change depending on how people look at it.

• Leonardo used a technique called sfumato, which blends colors smoothly and creates soft shadows.

• This technique makes the face and background look very realistic.

• The background shows an imaginary landscape with winding roads, rivers, and distant mountains.

• The landscape adds depth and makes the painting feel calm but mysterious.

• Leonardo carefully studied human anatomy, light, and perspective, which helped him paint the figure realistically.​

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​Mona Lisa (Isleworth) by Leonardo da Vinci (c. 16th century): ​​

• The Isleworth Mona Lisa is a painting believed by some researchers to be an earlier version of the Mona Lisa.

• The painting shows a similar woman to the famous Mona Lisa, believed to be Lisa Gherardini.

• In this version, the woman appears younger than in the Louvre painting.

• The background landscape looks simpler and less detailed than the one in the Louvre version.

• The figure is also slightly larger and framed by visible columns on the sides.

• Some art historians believe it was an earlier draft or alternate version painted before finishing the famous version.

• Other experts argue that it may have been painted by one of Leonardo’s students or followers instead.

• The painting was discovered in the early 1900s and named after Isleworth, a district in London where it was once kept.

• Because experts disagree about who painted it, the Isleworth Mona Lisa remains controversial in art history.

• If it is by Leonardo, it would show how he experimented with different versions before completing the final painting.

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Bedroom in Arles by Vincent van Gogh (1888): ​​

• Vincent van Gogh is a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. 

• The painting was created in 1888 by Vincent van Gogh while he lived in the Yellow House in Arles.

• Van Gogh wanted this painting to show his personal living space and convey a sense of comfort.

• The scene depicts his bedroom with a wooden bed, two chairs, a small table, and paintings hanging on the walls.

• Every object is carefully arranged and the furniture is painted with bright, solid colors to stand out.

• Van Gogh used bold, contrasting colors, for example, blue walls and yellow bed and chairs, to give it impact.

• THe room has a distorted perspective, making the walls and floor tilt forward, which gives it a dreamlike quality.

• The painting emphasizes Van Gogh’s desire for stability during a time of emotional struggle.

• It is at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and was damaged during a flood while Van Gogh was in the hospital.

• It shows Van Gogh’s interest in using colors to represent emotion rather than realistic light or shading.​

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Bedroom in Arles by Vincent van Gogh (1889): ​​

• He created the 1889 version as a replica of the 1888 original to send to his family in the Netherlands.

• Like the original, it shows a bedroom with a wooden bed, chairs, a table, and pictures on the walls.

• He stated: “I wanted to express absolute repose with these different colours.”

• The choice of colors was influenced by Japanese art, such as crêpe paper and woodblock prints.

• He admired Japanese interiors for their simplicity, even though they often contained paintings and furniture.

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Despair by Edvard Munch (1892): ​​

• Edvard Munch is a Norwegian artist and was part of the Expressionist movement.

• His personal life, including loss of family members and struggles with illness, influenced the themes he explored.

• Despair shows a lonely figure on a bridge, holding their head in their hands, expressing sadness.

• The background features wavy, swirling lines and dramatic colors, creating tension.

• Munch used Expressionist techniques, exaggerating color and shape to convey emotional states.

• The painting reflects themes common in Munch’s work, such as anxiety and suffering.

• The figure’s posture and the background emphasize how emotions can overwhelm a person’s experience.

• Munch often explored the human mind, showing how fear and loneliness affect everyday life.

• The use of contrasts and distorted forms makes the viewer feel the psychological intensity of the scene.

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The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893): ​​

• The painting shows a figure standing on a bridge, holding its face and screaming.

• The background has wavy lines and bright, swirling colors, giving the scene a chaotic feeling.

• Munch used distorted shapes and bold colors to show fear and anxiety rather than realism.

• The work reflects Munch’s interest in psychology and stress.

• The figure represents fear and inner suffering, making it emotionally powerful.

• The swirling sky and landscape emphasize how the environment can feel overwhelming.

• The Scream is part of a series called The Frieze of Life, in which Munch explored love, death, and despair.

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Dance (I) by Henri Matisse (1909): ​​

• Henri Matisse was a French artist during the 20th century. 

• It shows five nude figures holding hands and dancing in a circle with a blue sky and grass

• Matisse used bold, flat colors and simple shapes to focus on movement and emotion.

• The figures are stylized and abstracted, with emphasis on rhythm and flow.

• It was influenced by Russian folk art, primitive art, and Matisse’s interest in rhythm and harmony.

• It is considered an important work of Fauvism, showing how color and form can convey emotion.

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Dance (II) by Henri Matisse (1910): ​​

• It was painted as a larger and more developed version of Dance (I).

• This version has stronger color contrasts and composition than the earlier painting.

• The circular arrangement creates a continuous motion that guides the viewer’s eye around the painting.

• The painting reflects Matisse’s interest in expressing joy and the harmony of life through art.

• It was created as part of a commission for Russian art collector Sergei Shchukin, who supported Matisse.

• The work shows Fauvist ideas of emotional expression, taking the style further than Dance (I)

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"In songwriting, early drafts are called demos. Sometimes, the songwriter will perform them him or herself,

even if the song is intended for someone else to sing. Consider the following demos and then the finished product,

then ask yourself: what changed along the way? What makes the finished product feel more “done”?" 

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​“Strawberry Fields Forever (Home Demo Sequence)” by The Beatles (1966): 

• The Beatles was a British band formed in Liverpool. 

• The members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

• The demo was recorded in 1966 by John Lennon at his home in Liverpool.

• It shows the early ideas and structure of the song before studio production.

• The recording is simple, featuring Lennon on piano and vocals, with basic harmonies.

• It shows Lennon’s lyrical creativity, with dreamlike imagery reflecting childhood memories and nostalgia.

• The song later became famous for its psychedelic production on the official single version. 

• This version allows listeners to hear the songwriting process before studio enhancements.

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 “This One's Mine” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2018): 

• Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American composer and actor born in 1980 in New York City.

• The musical is based on a true story from the This American Life podcast.

• The musical is about a high school student involved in a minor crime

• In the song, the character expresses personal feelings of desire.

• The song features Miranda’s signature Broadway style that emphasize the character’s inner thoughts.

• The song uses repetition and dynamic shifts to show the character’s emotional struggle and make the audience connect with their experience.

• The song shows how Miranda blends storytelling with music, using lyrics and rhythm to reveal character development.

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“Dead Mom (Demo)” by Sophia Anne Caruso (2019): 

• Sophia Anne Caruso is an American singer, actress, and performer.

• The song is a demo version that shows the initial ideas before the final production.

• The lyrics explore grief and the feelings of losing a mother, making the song very emotional.

• It is a slow, emotional ballad with a focus on vocals and melody rather than heavy instruments.

• The simple music helps listeners focus on Caruso’s voice and the story in the lyrics.

• Caruso’s performance expresses pain and sorrow in an honest way.

• The song shows her talent for storytelling through music and her ability to connect with the listener’s emotions.

• As a demo, it also gives insight into the songwriting process and how songs are developed before full production.

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“Golden” (various demos) by EJAE (2025): 

• KPop Demon Hunters is an animated musical movie and series that combines K-pop music and fantasy elements.

• The story follows a group of teenage demon hunters who use music and magic to fight evil forces.

• It was written and composed by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Teddy Park, 24, and Ido, and produced by 24, Ido, TEDDY, and Ian Eisendrath.

• “Golden” serves as a narrative in the film, expressing the characters’ desire to fulfill their destiny and protect their world.

• The melody is built around a pop structure with electronic beats, a steady tempo, and a powerful vocal range that includes high notes.

• “Golden” was released as the second single and quickly became a global hit, topping charts in more than 30 countries.

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"In musical theatre, not all demos end up in the final product—but the Internet has allowed these unproduced numbers to find an audience. Consider the following demos that never quite got there. For each, discuss with your team: why do you think it was left out of the finished product?"

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​“Count on Me” by Aladdin (1994): 

• Aladdin is a 1994 animated musical movie and is part of Disney’s “Renaissance Era” of movies. 

• It tells the story of Aladdin, a young “diamond in the rough”, who finds a magical lamp and befriends the Genie.

• The song is performed by the characters Aladdin and Jasmine, with voices by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga.

• It is a friendship ballad, expressing loyalty and support between friends.

• The music is soft and melodic, emphasizing the vocals and harmony.

• The lyrics focus on reassuring someone that you will always be there for them in times of need.

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“First to Dance” by Pocahontas (1995): 

• Pocahontas is a 1995 animated movie and is part of Disney’s “Renaissance Era” of movies. 

• Disney’s Pocahontas is based on the historical figure Pocahontas, a Native American woman from the Powhatan tribe in early 17th-century Virginia.

• In the film, Pocahontas is the daughter of Chief Powhatan, a brave young woman who wants to explore the world and learn from others.

• The song is performed by Pocahontas and expresses her curiosity about life, showing her desire to experience new things first.

• It is a melodic, upbeat song with a focus on vocals and storytelling, typical of Disney character songs in the 1990s.

• The song helps introduce Pocahontas’s personality, showing her independence and desire to embrace new opportunities.

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“Family Home Evening” by Book of Mormon (2009): 

• The Book of Mormon is a 2009 Broadway musical created by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone.

• The song is performed by the missionaries in the musical, showing their effort to teach a Mormon family about faith.

• It is upbeat with a comedic tone that shows the misunderstandings and cultural differences.

• It combines showtune style with rhythms typical of Broadway ensemble numbers.

• The lyrics humorously present Mormon teachings and values, emphasizing family bonding and religious lessons.

• The song serves as a satirical moment, poking fun at overly structured religious traditions.

• It contrasts the missionaries’ enthusiasm and the villagers’ confusion, creating comedic storytelling. 

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“In the Bedroom Down the Hall” by Dear Evan Hansen (2017): 

• Dear Evan Hansen is a Broadway musical that premiered in 2015 and officially opened on Broadway in 2017.

• The story follows Evan Hansen, a high school student with social anxiety, as he becomes involved in a lie after the death of a classmate, Connor Murphy.

• The song is performed by the Connor Murphy family, focusing on their grief and emotional struggles after Connor’s death.

• It is dark and dramatic, reflecting the family’s pain and confusion.

• The lyrics reveal conflict and suppressed emotions within the family, showing how grief affects relationships.

• The song also serves to develop Connor’s character indirectly, giving the audience insight into his life and struggles through the perspective of his family. 

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"Most performers rehearse before they go on stage; some people even rehearse before difficult conversations. Investigate the psychology of rehearsal. What parts of the brain does it affect? How do you know when you’ve rehearsed enough?" 

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• Rehearsal is practicing an action before doing it, like actors rehearsing lines or people preparing for a difficult talk.

• It helps the brain encode actions and words into memory, making performance less stressful.

• Rehearsal affects the prefrontal cortex, which handles planning and decision-making, and the motor cortex, which controls movement.

• It also engages the hippocampus, which helps store memories, and the amygdala, which processes emotions like anxiety.

• Mental rehearsal, imagining the event in your mind, can activate the same brain areas as actual practice, improving confidence and performance.

• Signs you’ve rehearsed enough include feeling familiar with the content, reduced anxiety, and being able to recall actions or words without thinking too hard.

• Over-rehearsing can cause mental fatigue, so balance practice with rest is important.