Color Wheel Pictures Students had to measure out 12 spaces on their paper using a ruler. Then students painted 12 different colors that represent the color wheel using only the primary colors to mix. Students then had to decide upon a shape that they would cut each color into for a picture. They designed the background and decided what materials they would use to complete the picture.
Asymmetry Portraits Students have learned a bit about symmetry (a type of balance in which the image is identical when divided in half by a line of symmetry). In this project, we learned about Asymmetry- when an image is still visually balanced, but not identical when divided in half. We looked at the portrait work of Cubist artist Pablo Picasso. We looked at how Picasso purposely altered faces, typically symmetrical, to become asymmetrical. Students were given the choice to be a bit "Picasso" when they drew, or they could draw a more typical portrait...but they had to show some sort of Asymmetry. Students drew glue lines over their drawing. Once dry, they added color with chalk pastels. In this project we learned: *Asymmetrical Balance *Drawing a portrait *chalk blending *fine motor control with glue lines
Symmetry Shapes/ Symmetry Painting Students looked at the concept of Symmetry- a type of balance, that when divided in half, is the same on each side of the line of symmetry. Symmetry Shapes- Students drew shapes along the edge of their paper, cut the shapes out, and then reflected the shapes along the line of symmetry. Symmetry Paint- Students squeezed random lines with paint onto their paper. To make the painting symmetrical, they folded in half and pressed the sides together. Once opened, the painting appears the same on either side!
Moonlight through Trees Students painted the night sky with a moonlit glow using only white, blue and violet. Students learned to make a variety of color values (one color changing from light to dark) using white and another color. They started near their moon, using their own style of paint stroke, making the "glow" of their moon. As they painted further from the moon, the color would get darker. Once this step was complete, they painted the silhouette of a tree or trees in the painting using ink. What we learned: -value of color -painting brush stroke/blending -hold to a brush for detailed painting (for trees) -how to paint a tree -silhouette
Eric Carle Owls Students created a collage of owls at night using papers they had made themselves. On the first day of the project, students went from table to table exploring printing with a variety of odds and ends such as potato mashers, bath scrubbies, bubble wrap, cookie cutters, and sponges. Next, they splatter painted a dark color paper to create stars in a night sky. The following class we looked at the illustrations by Eric Carle. Carle also made his own papers for his collage illustrations. Student created a tree branch and an owl. To finish the project, students added supporting details to their owl and the background. What we learned: -texture -printing -using shapes to make a whole object -collage
Clay Houses Students had one class to complete their little houses in clay, which was quite a task for such young artists! Students learned about the physical and chemical changes that can occur to clay, and how these changes are important when working with clay. To create the houses, students created patterns and textures to several pieces of clay. They wrapped their "wall" of the house around a cup and put it on top of another piece that would be the ground. Then they cut out doors and windows (they felt very grown up using a knife...don't worry, they are very dull...but they felt super cool). Next, they removed the cup, stuffed the house with newspaper for sturdiness, and added a roof. If they had time, they could add little touches like window ledges, a chimney, or rocks. Students learned the uses of the different physical stages and how it helped them build. For example, they used fresh clay to manipulate and create, they used slip (watery clay) as a glue between clay pieces, and bone dry clay would be ready for the kiln. Once the clay is fired in the kiln, it chemically changed to ceramic, which cannot return to its previous clay state. This is when students can paint their houses!
Tape Paint Students taped off the surface of the paper with thin tape. As each line of tape overlapped another, it created small geometric shapes on the paper. Students used the primary colors to paint each shape on the paper. They were encouraged to create new colors by mixing the primary colors on their paper. Some students even chose to add patterns onto their painted shapes! Once dry, the tape is removed to leave white lines between the painted spaces.
2nd grade Printed Castles: Students observed the structure of a variety of castles and then drew a sketch. We looked at how you could break the castle into geometric parts to build the drawing. Next, they used the printmaking process to create the bricks of the castle. We used a variety of Lego bricks and a variety of other items to print with. Last, we custom made different neutral colors mixing the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), and they used them to paint the castle.
Reach for the Stars Working from the theme “Within Reach,” a PTA contest theme, students created a multimedia project. We first created patterns on their arm that they traced. Students were challenged to create new patterns as they worked up the arm using line, color, and or shape. Next, we mixed water paint on black paper with crinkly plastic wrap over top (to pick up the texture of the plastic wrap as it dried). The students added splatter paint for stars onto their background. As a class, we discussed what our world might reach for… peace, ending hunger, love and friendship, etc. Then I challenged them to think of symbols that represented these concepts: like a heart for love and caring, or a cross for Jesus. I was impressed at how quickly students understood and embraced the idea of how a symbol can stand for a feeling or meaning. They added the symbols that they wanted using scrap paper (left over from our weaving project and others along the way). They added their hand and symbols to the background. This took several weeks, but they look awesome!
Leaf Print In art we: -used black paint to print the negative space around leaves -created a second print of the leaves themselves (the positive space). The prints are also considered a monoprint because they can only be printed one time. For fun (if we had time), I showed students how to make a ‘ghost print’ of their leaves. Using the ink left over on the tray, they could rub a paper onto the tray to pick up what traces of ink were left…a ghostly version of their print!
Leaf texture rubbing Students used the "bumpy" side of the leaves to create a texture rubbing with cool color crayons. Texture is the way something feels. Next, they painted over the rubbings with warm colors to complete the art work
Symmetry Shapes To introduce the concept of Symmetry (and reinforce Geometric Shapes) students worked in pairs to create symmetrical designs with foam geometric shapes. Students sat together. One student would add a shape to their side of the line of symmetry (tape on the table), and the other would copy it symmetrically on their side. Then they would switch. Students came up with some complicated designs! We will continue to look at both symmetry and shape in upcoming projects.
Blowing Lines Students drew different lines using a variety of tools. We learned that lines could be formed with rows of shapes or patterns too. Line is an important Element of Art, which are the building blocks of art.
Warm/Cool Shapes and Lines with Weaving Students learned about several important Elements of Art in this lesson. The Elements of Art are the building blocks of all artwork. Students brainstormed different kinds of line. They then used cool colors from the color wheel to draw as many kinds of lines as they could imagine. Next, students used warm colors to create a variety of organic and geometric shapes. They painted the papers with opposite warm and cool colors to finish their papers. Last students wove their papers together.
LINES! Students were working on creating lines in a hands on way as introduction to our next lesson- with modeling clay! Students could create the lines that were on the mat or make some of their own.