Color Weavings
This project started out as an exercise in color mixing with the primary colors. Artists learned that mixing together two primary colors will create the secondary colors. Next we learned how to weave and created a paper weaving using the 'ABAB' pattern. The final step in the project toaugh artists about symmetry and they created a symmetrical animal head by folding and cutting the black paper.
Mad Science Math and Art Explosion!
Third grade artists learned how to incorporate math and science into a work of art. They learned how to turn two-dimensional shapes into three-dimensional forms and then experimented with color mixing using a wet on wet watercolor technique. After experimenting, they used the three primary colors (red, yellow and blue) to create the three secondary colors (green, orange and violet). The background of the project was created by turning circles into spheres with a little bit of chalk. Artists thought about their composition before deciding where to glue down their science beakers. The results are absolutely explosive!
The Great Wave
Where is Japan? What is Asian Art? Who is Katsushika Hokusai? What is The Great Wave? Third grade artists recently answered these questions while completing their Great Wave project. We started with a directed draw of The Great Wave outline. Blue, purple and white oil pastel was added to create a resist. Blue watercolor paint was added on top of the waves, every area that had oil pastel resisted the paint. The sky was created with a blending of warm colors and we finished the project with a splattering of waves using white paint a toothbrush.
Mixed Media Koi
Second graders learned about the Asian artist Katsushika Hokusai while reading The Great Wave. They learned about koi fish and the legend of Koinobori, which is a carp shaped wind sock that is flown during the Japanese Children's festival. Students followed a directed draw to create the koi and then filled in outlines of color using washable marker. Water was added on top of the marker to create a watercolor effect. The background was finished with blue tempera paint and oil pastel resist for the bubbles. A splash of bubbly water was added by splattering white paint with a toothbrush. I love how beautiful and colorful these turned out!
PRINTMAKING!
Second and third grade artists learned about printmaking! They created a Styrofoam plate design by drawing with an ink pen that created an indent in the Styrofoam. The first print was created with marker. Washable markers were added right on top of the Styrofoam plate and they were pressed onto damp paper to create a marker print. The second print was created using ink and a brayer. Ink was rolled on to the Styrofoam plate with a brayer and pressed onto dry paper to create an ink print. Second graders created cityscapes and third graders created a pattern to use as background for a Michigan L-O-V-E artwork.
VAN GOGH INSPIRED SUNFLOWERS
Third grade artists learned about Vincent van Gogh and his famous Sunflowers. They learned about Post-Impressionism and painted a background of a vase in a frame. After discussing how to draw different styles of sunflowers, they created them on yellow construction paper and cut them out. Before attaching to the painted background, students added some thick Post-Impressionistic lines in oil pastel to finish the masterpieces.
STARRY NIGHT
Second grade artists learned about Vincent van Gogh and his famous masterpiece, Starry Night. We talked about how van Gogh used line and color in his work in the Post-Impressionistic style. After reading about him, students created a directed drawing to show the cypress tree and horizon line. We used oil pastels to add thick lines of color to show movement just like van Gogh did. After creating our lines, we painted watered down blue tempera paint over everything to tie it all together.
VALUE RACCOONS
Third graders used charcoal and chalk to show three different levels of value in their raccoon drawings. After creating the drawing, they used paint to add a pop of color to the background.
VALUE PANDAS
Second graders learned about value and how to show three different levels of value using chalk and charcoal. We created a directed drawing of a panda with either a hair bow or bow tie and added a pop of painted color to our masterpieces. I am so in love with how these turned out!
PICASSO INSPIRED GUITARS
Third grade artists learned about Pablo Picasso's blue period. We discussed how emotions can influence our artwork, Picasso's blue period was during a very sad time in his life. After learning about abstract artwork, we created a guitar collage in the style of Pablo Picasso.
ABSTRACT SELF-PORTRAITS
Second graders learned about Pablo Picasso and his abstract artwork. We discussed what the word abstract meant and we had a lot of fun playing around with funny features of our face placed in mixed up spots just like Picasso did! Our final project was a mixed-media abstract self-portrait. I absolutely love how fun these are!
TEA-RRIFIC TEACUPS!
Second and third grade artists learned about pattern and created a directed drawing of teacups with their own designs. They completed the projects with paint.
SPOOKTACULAR TREES!
Third graders learned how to create a spooky tree silhouette. The spooky background was created with chalk before the trees were painted on.
PIZZAS WITH PIZZAZZ!
Second grade artists created pizzas using the collage technique. After using a circle tracer for the crust, they demonstrated their cutting skills. Then we brainstormed fun pizza topping ideas before they cut them out of construction paper and glued them down.
WHAT'S COOKING IN THE ART ROOM?
Third grade artists learned that collage artwork is made by cutting and gluing pieces of paper to create a work of art. We brainstormed fun burger topping ideas and then they cut the toppings out of construction paper before gluing them down and adding details with marker.
THIRD GRADE MIXED MEDIA JELLYFISH
Third graders learned about cool colors and painted a background as a base for their mixed media project. We read a book called 'Peanutbutter Jellyfish' that talked about what it means to be a good friend and how to apologize when we are wrong. We focused on an underwater scene for this lesson and used oil pastels and chalk to create our own jellyfish and seaweed. After finishing our project, we learned that mixed media is artwork that is made with a variety of materials.
SECOND GRADE MIXED MEDIA BIRCH TREES
Second graders learned about warm colors and painted a background as a base for their mixed media project. We read a book about fall and learned about different trees that we see in Michigan and how each tree has a special bark and leaf. We focused on birch trees for this lesson and used oil pastel to create our own trees. After cutting them out and pasting them onto our painted background, we learned that mixed media is artwork that is made with a variety of materials.
FRIENDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
Our first few weeks of school have flown by! Both second and third grade students had a very fun surprise on their first day of art: we painted on bubble wrap to make a print! I think everyone was very excited to be able to use paint on the first day, and it gave me a chance to see how well classes could follow directions. The printed papers became feathers of a peacock for a large collaborative artwork outside of the art room. This was a fun lesson about how we can work together as a team to create spectacular works of art.
WELCOME TO THE ELEMENTARY ART ROOM!
This year, second and third grade has been added to my schedule. I am very excited about meeting everyone and sharing my love of art with my new younger students! Below is a sneak peak of what I have been doing these past few weeks.