1st Grade Paul Klee Geometric Cities

First Grade artists are studying artist Paul Klee and creating their own architecture with geometric shapes. Students experimented with triangles, creating different shapes like rhombi, squares, trapezoids, and rectangles.  Students then arranged their shapes to create buildings, and added architectural details like windows, bridges, doors, columns, as well as different types of textures with construction paper crayons.

 Check out the finished works of art on Artsonia, our online student art museum:
https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=994524

1st Grade Abstract Paintings

First Grade art students are learning brush techniques in painting.  Students first learned about the different parts of a paintbrush:

Students practiced just using the "toe" of the bristles to create a very thin line.  Then we practiced painting with the heel and toe, gently pressing down all the bristles to make a really thick line.  Students were amazed that they could paint such different lines with the same brush! After practicing painting different kinds of lines, students then practiced painting large shapes with solid colors.

Next, students tried out painting shapes or lines on top of colors.  It was a fun experiment to see which colors could show up on top of the painted backgrounds. The final touch was adding a few lines around the border, and painting their names.  To see them all, check out our online students art gallery at Artsonia:   http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=926366

1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 4th Grade: Current Art Projects

 First Graders are studying Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, and creating their own version of the "Starry Night" using oil pastels.  Here are some students demonstrating Van Gogh's technique of using short strokes to add color to their papers.

 Second Grade artists looked at Pablo Picasso's Rose period paintings, and then we discussed the art element of VALUE.  Students mixed red and white to make tints of red, and red with black to make shades of red, and created these heart paintings that are full of patterns!

 Fourth Grade artists have been studying the American artist Wayne Thiebaud, who just celebrated his 94th birthday in November!  Here students have already sculpted their cup cakes out of clay, and are adding color with glazes.  Stay tuned for more news next week!

1st Grade Paul Klee Collages

First Grade artists read the story "The Cat and the Bird" as an introduction to the artist Paul Klee.  As we read the story, students were asked to point out Klee's use of geometric shapes to create the building shapes, like squares, rectangles, triangles, and rhombus. We also looked at some of Klee's artworks and again noted the use of geometric shapes.  Students then used papers to create their own artworks of a city by combining the different shapes.

Students then added small details, such as doorways, windows, bridges, and balconies with construction paper crayons.  The results are beautiful!

See them all at our online art museum:      

http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=846613

First Grade Free Form Shapes

First Grade students are also reviewing free form shapes.  Students first had to cut out a free form shapes from a piece of paper, then trace it seven or more times onto a black paper, making sure to overlap the shape in a few areas.  Next, students had to carefully trace their pencils lines with glue.  The glue dried overnight, and the next class students added color with construction paper crayons. The glue dried clear, leaving behind the nice outlines of their free form shapes. The completed drawings make wonderful abstract art works!

1st & 2nd Grade Eric Carle Collages

We are learning about the phenomenal artist and author Eric Carle in second and first grade art class! We read some of his books, including "Mister Seahorse," "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," and "Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?" We discussed how Eric Carle created his own papers by painting them and scratching textures into the wet paint.  After the papers dried, he would then cut them out to create the beautiful animals in his books.

Students painted their papers first.  This was a FUN day!  Students rotated around the table and painted six or seven different colors onto their construction paper.  Before the paint dried, students used tools to scratch lines into the wet paint, just like Eric Carle.

The papers were dry for the next class, and students traced shapes on the back to create their animals, as well as added fun things such as sequins, pompoms, glitter, and oil pastel details.  Some classes made butterflies:

Other classes created tropical birds:

 And still other classes made seahorses.  They are all so lovely!  Look for first grade classes' artwork to be displayed in April for the School-wide Art Show!