As the first lesson of our architectural unit, fourth grade artists are studying St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. We looked at its unique colors and patterns, and at its signature onion domes. Then we practiced using markers to make different values and textures, using techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling. Finally, we got to design the outside of our own towers!
Our last step was to carefully cut out our building and glue it to a bright colored paper. Special thanks goes out to Deep Space Sparkle for this inspiring lesson plan!
Check out more finished artworks on Artsonia, our online student museum!
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=998266
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!
Kinder is creating amazing patterns that will be transformed from two dimensional pieces of paper into three dimensional sculptures!
Fifth Grade has just finished studying the great Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci, and have made horse sculptures out of clay. Here are sneak peeks of students painting glazes onto their bisque-fired horses; next step, another round in the kiln for the glaze firing!
Third grade artists are learning all about perspective and depth in two-dimensional artworks, as well as the art element of VALUE. Here students are creating a winterscape, and using size and color to show depth. They are mixing lighter and dark values of gray, and learning how to place objects in the background, middle ground, and fore ground.
Check back next week for an update on First, Second, and Fourth Grade artists!
We started our lesson distinguishing between three subjects in art: portraits, landscapes, and still lives. We discussed the differences between these subjects, and then students each got a photo of a Vincent Van Gogh painting. Students had to decide which subject category their particular painting belonged in. A few were tricky!
I searched for a real pumpkin, but alas, in early September none were to be found in Central Texas. I did find a rather realistic one from Michael's as a substitute. Students drew the pumpkin carefully, paying attention to the sections and how many they could see on one side of the pumpkin, as well as the free form shape of the stem. Then we divided the background into different shapes with lines.
On day three we talked about mixing white with a color to make a tint. Each student picked one color, and then we carefully mixed the color with white to get different tints. Students then added the tints to the lightest side of the pumpkin. Here are students mixing their tints. The next day we also mixed colors with black to make different shades. When the paintings are finished I will post a few photos, and post the link to the Artsonia exhibit page. Happy painting until then!
