7th Grade Silhouettes

I started this lesson by showing examples of professional sunset photographs with many different objects as silhouettes.  We discussed what a silhouette is, and how it is created, when the light source is behind the object.  I also talked about how popular sunset photographs are for professional photographers to create for others to purchase. 
We then created a wet on wet watercolor sunset, using mostly warm colors found in a sunset. I demonstrated adding salt to the wet paint for an added effect. Students were then allowed to make their own silhouette, it just needed to include one plant and one animal.  Silhouettes were painted with black tempera paint, which also gave us an opportunity to discuss opaque vs. transparent paint. 

Dolphin Paintings

After my recent trip to the Florida Keys and a visit to the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida, I was inspired to teach my 2nd grade students about these amazing mammals.  We spent time discussing dophin facts, with videos from National Geographic Kids and some pictures I took while on my trip.  My students were very excited and many of them were able to contribute to the discussion from their own facts they had learned. 

Before the first class period was over, we went through a step by step process to draw a dolphin.  I encouraged them to practice drawing one during their free time until the next art class. 

The students created crayon drawings of the dophin and it's surroundings.  We discussed creating a scene for their dolphin.  Was it underwater, up in the air, in an aquarium, etc.  Students added realistic colors to their dolphins and other details with crayon. 

The final step was to paint the entire paper with blue watercolor paint.  The watercolor resists the oil in the crayons and leaves a very neat result.  The students and I were thrilled with how well their paintings turned out!

What's In Your Head?

My 4th grade students recently completed a paper collage project that answered the question: What's in your head?  We started the lesson by brainstorming what images one would find if the students could look inside their heads... We discussed colors, images, food, family, activities, and feelings. 

Students then did their best to find those images in a variety of magazines and newspapers.  I also drew each student's silhouette using an overhead projector.   Students really got a kick out of what their actual silhouette looked like once it was done. 

The finished product looked very much like each student!! This was a very enjoyable lesson that allowed us to discuss how art can be used for personal expression. 

Keith Haring Paper Sculptures

I got the idea for this lesson for my first graders from haringkids.com to create 3Dimentional Keith Haring Figures using strips of colored construction paper... I had no idea this would be such a fabulous lesson!

First, we discussed Keith's artwork and how he conveys movement in his artwork.  I then had the students come up and re-create the dance moves seen in his work.

Students came up one at a time and their classmates had to guess which color person in the painting they were imitating.  This was a really fun way to tie dance into the lesson. 

I then had them watch an old Sesame Street clip that has Keith Haring's people become animated and dance off the screen.  The song is called "Exit" and it is a very catchy tune and fun to watch!

Sesame Street Exit Video

Then the students and I explored the different things you could do to a piece of construction paper 1" by 8"... bend it, fold it, roll it, etc.  I asked the students to show me how you could make legs out of the paper.  Then I let them get to work on their own Keith Haring 3Dimentional people! Below is a sample of what they made

By the way:  This was extremely fun for the students, and for me!!



Next class, they can contine working on their 3Dimentional People, and then they will be drawing their people in Keith Haring's style, but add a background to show us what their person is doing.  I can't wait to see what they come up with!

7th Grade Portraits

I have not done Chuck Close Portraiture with middle school before, and I decided to tackle it with my 7th grade students in the Art Exploration course.  We first explored Chuck Close's early works, discussed photo realism, the "mugshot" look, and larger than life size. 

PHOTO REALISM: Phillip Glass by Chuck Close

We then looked at his later work, created with a grid, and compared and contrasted the two.  We also zoomed in and looked at each individual square and discussed how they each could be a painting in itself. 

PIXILATED Self-Portrait by Chuck Close

Finally, I found a short video from CBS Sunday Morning on YouTube that has a very informative interview and shows how he is able to still paint today despite his paralysis. 

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbcP8zNrqsk&feature=related

I also found this a perfect time to talk to the students on dealing with adversity.  Chuck Close was a very successful painter, and after his tragic accident that left him partially paralyzed, he was able to find another way to paint, and as he states in his interview, he now paints with more color, and he "celebrates" his ability to still paint today despite all that has happened to him physically.  I hoped to show the students that out of great tragedy, amazing things can happen!

Because our room does not have a sink, they are using watercolor resist with crayons. We should begin painting next week, but below are some of the works in progress.  They are coming along just beautifully!!

Kindergarten Compositions No. 2012

This lesson is always a nice way to discuss lines, shapes, and color with the younger grades.  I like to show many different examples of Mondrian's Compositions and I also added in some of Frank Stella's artwork that was similar.  It is always neat to see what the Kindergartners have to say about these paintings!

Piet Mondrian

Frank Stella

With the little ones, I break this lesson down into very simple parts; handing out the paper first for them to put their names on, then passing out the black strips of paper and just having them arrange them on their paper to experiment the different designs and shapes they can make with the black "lines."

After handing out the different paper squares and rectangles, they arrange them in a few different compositions until they come up with the one that looks the best to them. 

I also ended this lesson by having each student bring up their Compositions and display them next to Mondrian's Painting.  They are always so proud of what they do and to have the whole class see it and then applause adds to their positive experience.  I also take that time to show them how different each Composition is even though they all used the exact same materials.