So many of the students get so excited to get to the paint project. They get a canvas to paint on, and they get to work with wet-media. Something a little different from what they have done thus far. Besides, who doesn’t like to paint? This provides a few different challenges with color mixing (to get the right hue they are looking for, as I try to encourage them to only use the Primary Colors as their base pallet), creating texture, and learning to work with drying time as the paint either takes to long to dry, or doesn’t dry fast enough. It’s a different experience for some, but the results are superb.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Level 9: Oil Pastel
Starting at a young age, most children get to use crayons as their main medium for drawing and coloring. Oil Pastels are similar, but more of an official artistic medium, with more of a oil base which allows for some great blending between colors. I’ve found that students either love it, or dislike this project. But, its always good to try something new.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Level 8: Chalk Pastel Project
This is a new medium for many of the kids, but I have found that many have been pleasantly surprised because of the colors you get, the softness of the image, and how fast chalk pastels can be! After working on their projects for a class or two, many finished their projects and felt the satisfaction of doing something quick, and getting a great outcome.
Level 7: Colored Pencil Project
Using Prismacolor pencils to achieve great blending ability, and to benefit from the vibrant colors that come from the Prismacolor line of pencils, the students are creating wonderful artwork as they practice color blending and use that technique in balance with remembering their light source to maintain their overall values. Take a look!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Summer Art 2011
What fun we have had this summer! I’m so impressed with the work that the students have done, as they have worked through projects which were new techniques to most.
We did a few landscape paintings for the first project, one being of a Sahara Sunset, and the other being a little more technical with a rainbow in a blue sky over a green, grassy hill. Before we dove into the projects, each student created their own color wheel using only the primary colors: Red, Yellow, Blue, and White and Black to practice tints and shades. This was a good introductory project to the summer course.
The next project we did was a clay figurine. I allowed the students to select their subject matter, but I wanted to help them focus on thinking in 3D, where so many are accustomed to a two-dimensional drawing. It was a stretch for some, but I feel that the figurines turned out better than I had expected.
Last project was print making. We mapped out the image, transported that to a linoleum block, carved out the image, and then inked the image to print on a paper. This was my favorite project because there is always the element of surprise in how the carving is going to turn out. It’s like magic every time!
Level 6: Clay Project
Since the students have been working a lot in black and white, I decided to do a clay project to give them a different experience with a different medium from what they are used to and give then the opportunity to add some color to their artwork, while still holding to the basic elements of shape, value, balance, etc. The element of this project that stretches their way of thinking is having to consider creating an ‘image’ in 3D, where they have just been working in 2D thus far. I encourage them to look at it from all angles – worms eye view, and birds eye view.
Level 5: White on Black Project
To build off of the last project, the Scratchboard project, the students have to now use a white pencil to again focus on the high lights and build the lights from a black background – hence the title ‘White on Black’. It is all about helping them learn to view the components of the artwork in different ways and appreciating the importance of a highlight within the composition.
Level 4: Scratchboard Project
This project is a fun one that starts to break the students out of their comfort zone a bit. Up until this point, they have used the grid system to map out their compositions. With this project, they no longer can use the grid and have to practice using their sense of making comparisons of shapes within the composition to put down the image. They also have to change their way of thinking as well as they now have to focus on bringing out the highlights, where up until now they have been building up the shadows. They are given a black piece of paper of which they have to scratch out the highlights. It sounds easier than it really is, but they are really coming out with great stuff!
Level 3: Charcoal
After Ink, which is a very clean and precise medium, comes the splendidly soft form of Charcoal. This is a favorite medium that I use a lot in my own personal artwork and am thrilled to help the students learn to use it, sometimes for the first time.
Level 2: Ink
Within the Ink project, the students are only able to use pen. This is an important skill for them to practice as it teaches the students to be careful with their mark making as there is no erasing when a mistake is made. They are able to choose their subject mater with a couple of rules; there has to be shading, and it has to be black and white. I’ve been very pleased with what had come about thus far! Take a look.
Level 1: Graphite
One of my goals is to help the students get a well rounded knowledge of the different media that they can use to create artwork. I have created a level system for them to go through where they do a practice sheet and learn how to use the medium, and then do a project to follow.
Level 1 is the Graphite level where the kids learn to control their values using different pencils, as well as controlling the pressure they use to apply the graphite to the surface. The kids are able to chose their subject matter, but they all are required to use graphite, keeping the image in a gray scale, and practice their shading skills within their project. Take a look at what they have come up with.
You might notice that there are a couple of planet pieces in the bunch. Every student gets the opportunity to do this project. It teaches the student to learn about shading on a curved surface, layering, using different shading textures, and working with a light source. The planet pieces that you see here are my most recently added students this year. The rest of the students have already done this project in the past.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Watercolor Project
The students have been doing black and white projects for the last few months as they have been working on their Graphite, Ink, and Charcoal projects. I thought that since we have a little bit of a break during the Christmas and New Year holidays, I wanted to do a colorful project and give the students an opportunity to do something a little different. Besides, I think it is fun to switch things up every now and again.
Here are some images of the outcome of the project from one of the art classes…
Cute girls. I love my Wednesday class.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Artist’s At Work…
The young artists have started their projects and they are looking fantastic! Some are finishing up projects from the previous year, while others dive in to the new projects, starting with their Graphite exercises.
Susie finished off her art courses with a simple yet beautiful Prismacolor piece. What talent. We will miss you, Susie!
Sarah finished a piece from last year which took a lot of time, patience, and attention to detail. Sarah is just the person to tackle such a piece as she is always so patient and sensitive to the little things. Needless to say it was a job well done – way to go Sarah.
Cute Brittany finished a self composed piece of a Webkins unicorn. Her shading technique is very well done in this piece and am so pleased to see her progressing at the rate she is. Brittany – you rock.
Kaylee finished her collage! What a beautiful piece this turned out to be as it was a loaded with different images of her interests. Practically 10 mini projects in one. She was so patient as she worked on this piece and admire her willingness to work hard and stay patient with herself. “If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.”
Rachel just keeps pumping them out! This one she did a nice prismacolor pencil drawing of a wolf and dog – correct me if I am wrong Rach. It looks great!
Artwork can make GREAT gifts as well. Rachel here did this drawing for her brother from the movie Tangled. He loved it! I have had other students do things for their siblings, parents, etc., and it really boosts their confidence as an artist, and also gives the recipient something personal that they will keep and cherish.
The photograph isn’t the best quality – sorry about that.
While these artists are wrapping up projects from last year, others are starting on their Level 1 projects : Graphite. Check out their progress!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Summer Project 4 – Marble Magnets
Simply because my Wednesday class had an extra day before the last day of class for the summer, we did a fun, small, simple project that they could take home with them that day. Great way to finish off the class.
Summer Project 3 – Bead Writing
The idea of this project was for the kids to choose a word of their choice, decorate a long piece of wire with beads, and then form the wire to spell their word. That is only half of the project! Then, they had to decorate the backing for their word with other words that are related to their ‘bead writing’, using specific colors, all while focusing on pattern. It was a fun project! I think the kids would agree.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Project 2 – Wire Mache Sculptures
Very fun project and one that the kids took to heart. They really individualized their projects which always makes it fun. The construction of the sculptures was a simple process. We formed the figures out of wire, molding the shape we wanted the figure to take. Then, we built them up with aluminum foil to give them a little more ‘form’. To seal the deal, we used paper mache to harden the sculptures to help the hold their form. Once the mache had hardened, with the limit of using only three colors of paint (of their choice) the sculptures were decorated to their mind’s content. Take a look at how they turned out!
I thought this project was a success. The kids did great!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Summer Art 2010
SUMMER IS HERE!
The classes have begun, the projects are well under way, and the creativity is outstanding. Starting off the summer with Rock Art, the kids are coming out with some creative stuff. The two rules that were given for the subject matter was that it had to be something that is a part of your life, or something that you have a deep interest in. Look at what they came out with!
(Rock featured is Beck's waterfall rock)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
2010 Student Art Show
Thank you all for coming to the Student Art Show to commemorate the end of the year, and suuport your talented children and their fellow students. I am so very proud of all of their hard work that they put into their artwork this year, and feel that the year was a success all in all. I do recognize that ultimately I have the parents to thank for allowing me the opportunity to work with such a great group of kids, so thank you all.
Just to remind those who were able to come, as well as give those an idea of what occurred who missed out, there are a few images of the set up of the show.
Just to remind those who were able to come, as well as give those an idea of what occurred who missed out, there are a few images of the set up of the show.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wrapping up the Year 2009-2010
What a fun year we have had! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each of the children and getting to know them on a personal level. They each are unique, brilliant, and really added something special to my teaching experience from week to week. I thank each parent for allowing me the opportunity of working with them to the extent that I have been able.
To wrap up the year, I posted a picture of each student with one of their project that they completed with some being masterpieces in progress - cannot wait to see the finished product! I hope that this gives you an idea of what we have accomplished this year and know that these kids are on the road to success!
To wrap up the year, I posted a picture of each student with one of their project that they completed with some being masterpieces in progress - cannot wait to see the finished product! I hope that this gives you an idea of what we have accomplished this year and know that these kids are on the road to success!
Meet Susie
Meet Sarah
Meet Rachel
Meet Kate
Meet Brandon
Meet Beck
Meet Kailee
Meet Shannon
Meet Abby
Meet Kimball
Meet Brittany
Meet Cassidy
Meet Emma
Meet Katie
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