The Great Pumpkin!

Third graders did an outstanding job in their first experience drawing with glue and working with chalk pastel.  We looked at the work of Rembrandt and discussed how he was a master at value and a "special effects" artist through his use of chiaroscuro.  The students decided on a tall pumpkin or wide pumpkin; some wanted to put more than one pumpkin in their drawing, some wanted jack-o-lanterns.  Once their pencil drawing was finished they carefully traced over the pencil line with white glue.  After the glue dried they got to work on exploring value using chalk pastels.  We discussed how they could add white to the orange pastel to lighten it or mix yellow with it to brighten it.  The students were given a "sun chip" to remind them where their light source was coming from.  Once the pumpkin was finished they worked on the background.  The variety of skies are beautiful--sunrise, sunset, evening sky.  The bulletin board with their artwork is quite a crowd-pleaser!

A Bug's Life

 

Not your normal landscape..... Fourth graders created landscapes from a different point of view....a "bug's eye" view!  After some discussion on scale and proportion, fourth graders set out to create a world seen through a bug's eye. Students drew in pencil and Sharpie marker, and added color with crayon and watercolor.  Next year, I think I will have them title their artwork.  I can only imagine what they will come up with!  

Lines and Colors and Shapes....Oh My!

First grade artists created these abstract paintings using geometric and free-form shapes, primary and secondary colors, and line variety.  The paintings followed a lesson were we read the book Mouse Paint, identified primary colors, and created secondary colors using Model Magic. 

Giocometti Foil Sculptures

Fifth grade students observed the artwork of Alberto Giocometti and created sculptures with similar characteristics (elongated torso and limbs).  The students' sculptures are based on gesture drawings drawn the previous week.  This quick method of drawing is meant to capture the action of the person.  Once the student created their sculpture it was glued to a base. The fifth grade artists had a great time making their sculptures....so much so that we will be creating a life size sculpture through the winter! 
The idea for these sculptures was taken from a similar lesson on Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists blog.

Warm and Cool Hands

Third graders used warm and cool color patterns to create these paintings.  They had their choice of a geometric shape (although you will see some hearts in there, too) and where they wanted to use the warm and cool colors.  They especially liked the "optical illusion" effect created by the advancing (warm colors) and receding (cool colors) colors and concentric shapes.

Paper Sculpture

Second graders created abstract sculptures after observing Alexander Calder's stabiles. Students discovered that they could bend, roll, curl, and fold their 2D strip of paper and create three dimensional forms. This is always a favorite piece of artwork for the second graders-- and I love it when students tell me they made a sculpture at home and even showed their parents how to create one!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back, everyone!  I thought I'd post some photos of the art room.  The music teachers and I share the space.  We are very fortunate to have a SmartBoard in the room and I am luckiest of all to have a kiln! 

Elements of Art and Principles of Design board

The students all have a job to do

Our SmartBoard (and covered piano below)

The tables are color-coded and pencils/erasers are stored in the table bins

Mrs. Hurley's desk

The Colorful Palette Award-a "friendly competition" among the classes based on good behavior

Our sink area

Check back often for new artwork!