4th Grade Aboriginal Dot Paintings

Fourth grade artists are learning all about the Australian Aboriginal dot paintings. We looked at many different examples, some very old and some from modern Australian artists.  We talked about how the Aborigines depicted animals in their artworks, and how important the animals are in their everyday life.  

Students then each had to choose a native Texas animal to depict in their own artwork.  We talked about how to create a silhouette of the animal, or outline, on black paper.  After students glued down their silhouettes, they then had to draw two different x-ray drawings of the animals' bones or internal organs.  X-ray drawings are a very unique feature of many Aborigine dot paintings.  Finally, students had to start adding color dots with sticks.  This was trickier than most students imagined! Students added patterns, a dot outline around the edge of the animal silhouettes, and concentric circles in the background.  These are outstanding paintings!  Look for the finished versions on Artsonia! http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=105385