Kindergarten Still Life Studies

Pencil Sketch, ink outline and watercolor pencils.

Chihuly inspired 2nd Graders

Inspired by Chihuly, the 2nd graders created an interpretation of his blown glass work from coffee filters, washable markers and spray starch. They then mounted their sculptures and I hung them from the ceiling. Next, we looked at Chihuly's, 'Niijima Floats' series of drawings, discussing the abstract and experimental nature of they offer. Check them out here: niijima floats Next, they used chalk pastels and drew from their sculptures that were hung above their tables, pulling colors, patterns, and textures from their own work as well as the work of their peers. They have the option of adding tempera paint (object printing, brushed, splattered, marble rolling) liquid glitter & dry glitter.

mixed media student example, inspired by Chihuly's, 'Niijima Floats' series

coffee filter "blown glass" sculptures

Mounted on construction paper and hung from the ceiling around the room

metallic paint station

A student working on her chalk pastel drawing

student examples

Self Portraits -4th Grade

Oil pastel self portraits by the 4th graders, created using the gridding technique. photo 8 x 10, drawing 16 x 20. Great job guys and gals!

Student Architects

Kindergarten focused on architecture this week, creating buildings in our community from wooden blocks. Students works in teams to build a structure of choice, then we did a gallery tour and each team presented their creation to the class (talk about wild imaginations!) Next, students recorded their creations by drawing a version of their still life structure on paper. This activity led into the next portion of the unit which was building our school from construction paper shapes and materials in a collage-like format. The focus of this unit was to look, describe and translate shapes into recognizable buildings in their environment. Wow, do kindergarten boys like to build with blocks!
"...probably the best day in art, ever!" - kinder

Paul Klee Inspired

credit:http://www.squidoo.com/paul-klee. Original "Senecio" by Paul Klee

The Kindergartners traced shapes on orange construction paper to create a portrait inspired by Paul Klee's original. We talked about cubism and use of shape and color. First traced in pencil, then outlined in ink. Next, we added oil pastel crayon and chalk. Then, watercolor wash in warm tones... and finally rolled tempera paint (also in warm tones.)

Today, you are you!

First Grade Self Portraits. "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” -Dr. Seuss

Giraffes Eat Leaves!

 WOW, Giraffes eat leaves! Nearly every kindergartner had this pre-knowledge to share with us as we began our giraffe discussion. Day 1- we talked about giraffes and their environment, body structure and quirky characteristics, like the number of vertebrae in their neck, and the speed at which they can run. We looked at a small collection of giraffe images to gain a better understanding of their body structure, then embarked on our attempt to draw giraffes! We used brown tempera and cut up sponges to give the giraffes their unique coat or "finger print." Day 2- We watched giraffes in their environment through Nat. Geo. and talked about their environment. Then we gave our giraffe an environment with trees full of leaves to eat. The kindergartners each made up a story for the giraffe environment. Overall, a successful learning experience for them and a good starting point for me to build on next time!

Houses in Munich

I really enjoy the simplicity, and color choice in this particular drawing.

      

 Collaged "Houses in Munich' inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. The third grade students used oil pastels to achieve similar marks to Kandinsky's oil painted canvas. I demonstrated sketching the drawing out in pencil, then outlining in black oil pastel before adding color, so that some of the black oil pastel would smear into their other colors. Some students really enjoyed this aesthetic, others chose to keep their drawing very neat. To emphasis certain areas of the drawing, they added black construction paper cut into window, door, bridge, and building shapes. Some students just added a portion of black paper to a each building, others covered entire buildings, both good choices! The most challenging part of this drawing for the students was deciding how much collaged paper to add, I left it rather opened ended and followed up when they asked with "well, what do you think? Remember it's your drawing" ...many times. The never ending question!