Ancient Europe and Stained Glass Window Art

For our art lesson today, we made stained glass window art. To begin this lesson we discussed a powerpoint about the history of the stained glass. During the powerpoint we wrote down three points that we learned on an index card. For this lesson we had to use a color scheme, such as warm colors, cool colors, and complimentary colors. To construct the stained glass art, first we picked out a holiday design. Next, we used an exacto knife in order to trace the design on construction paper. The exacto knife cut out pieces of the design. Once we had all our pieces cut out, we glued tissue paper and placed it in the open holes of our design. The tissue paper used created the color schemes we needed to have. After we had the tissue paper all glued into place, we cut our design out.

Here is my holiday stained glass window art:
I used warm and cool colors for my color schemes.

An extension activity for this lesson is the have students make the stained glass window art for the different seasons of the year. The Christmas holiday scene would be for Winter, a pumpkin or turkey would be for Fall, a bunny for Spring, and a flag or fireworks for Summer. The different items would represent what season it is, and what holiday happens during each season.

Print Making

For this lesson, we were taught a form of print making. To begin, we drew a template on a piece of paper to get an idea on what we wanted to draw. The theme the lesson was around was nature. After we had an idea, we used the back of a paintbrush or our pencil to create a sketch in foam paper. We had to draw our lines deep enough in the paper to create a good indent in the foam. After we had our picture drawn out on the foam paper, we went over to the ink station and used a roller to roll the ink on to our foam paper. Once we had enough ink on the foam we placed the foam paper with ink down onto a piece of construction paper and pressed firmly to make sure the picture on the foam would show up on the construction paper. Once we thought it was good, we lifted the foam paper up from the construction paper. The scene from the foam was now mirrored on the construction paper.

Here is a photo of my print making project:

An extension activity for this project could be to incorporate it into a literature class. The students could create a story as a class and use this print making project in order to create the illustrations that go along with their story. The class can then put their stories together to create a book.

Cave Art

For this lesson, we created cave art by using crumpled paper bags and mud paint. The mud paint was dirt, tempera, and water mixed together. We started our lesson by discussing how things were recorded in history, and how cave paintings were a way of recording history. To begin our project, we first had to think about what our favorite memory was growing up. Once we had our memory we used the the mud paint to draw our memory on the paper bag. We were encouraged to use different colors of paint. Before we were done with our project we had to use something in order to create texture to our paintings; we placed either pieces of grass clippings, leaves, or sticks to our paintings. Once we were finished with our cave paintings, we got into groups and discussed what each of our favorite memories were.


Here is my cave painting:


My favorite memory growing up was going to Valleyfair with my family.

An extension activity for this project is to discuss the prehistoric times and dinosaurs that used to roam the land. After discussing the different types of dinosaurs students could chose and paint a dinosaur by using the mud paint to give it more of a prehistoric look. 

Little Leaves Collage

For this lesson, we used crayons and oil pastels to create our projects. To begin, we first used a tool to get crayon shavings from warm colors. Once we had enough crayon shavings on our wax paper we folded the wax paper and melted the shavings by using a hot iron in between the wax paper. Once the colors were melted, we were given a paper of leaves to trace from. We traced at least three leaves on to our warm colored wax paper and then cut the leaves out. We then glued the warm colored leaves on to a piece of white 8.5 X 11 paper. Then we discussed cool colors, and used cool colored oil pastels to create at least five different leaves on our collage. Our finished collage had both cool and warm colored leaves. To finish our project we framed our collage.

An extension activity for this project could be using the wax paper and crayon shavings to create a scene to represent each of the seasons. After discussing that there are four seasons in a year, students could pick a season and melt the crayon shavings and then cut out different objects that will correspond to the season they chose. For example: for winter students could make snowflakes, snowmen, our a holiday scene. For Spring students could make flowers or an easter bunny or eggs. For summer students could make a scene at a lake or something they do in the summer, and for fall they make a pumpkin, leaves falling off trees, and school starting again.

Under Water World Scratch Art

For this project, students were able to choose a picture of a sea animal to base their picture on. We then folded a white 8.5 X 11 paper in half and drew the picture on to the white paper. Once we finished drawing our pictures, we placed the black scratch art paper in between the white paper. We then used the wooden scratch tool to trace the outline of the animal on to our black paper. Once we had the outline drawn out, we removed the black paper from in between the white paper, and used to wooden tool to scratch the outline of the animal. Once the animal was drawn, we then used the wooden tool to add characteristics/details and texture to our animals by using different lengths of lines and pressure . To finish our project, we added different objects in the background that would fit into the animal's setting.


Here is a photo of my scratch art:

An extension activity for this project could be a lesson on the middle ages, and students could draw things that associate with the middle ages, for example: a castle, knights, a jousting tournament, or kings and queens. They could then hang their drawings around the class to create a middle age setting in their classroom.




Our bulletin board before projects hung up:

After projects hung up:

Birds of a Feather

For this lesson, our main topic was about diversity and that everyone has unique characteristics. To enhance this, we created 3-Dimensional birds. To begin, we were given index cards and were asked to create a name and personality for our birds. Then we were each given a template to cut out. After all the pieces were cut out, we colored and put pieces of feathers on our birds to create texture and a pattern. We then assembled the bird by gluing the wings on and using a hole punch to put holes on the top and on the wings of the bird in order to attach the string to the bird.

Here are photos of my bird:

An extension activity would be to have students compare the different cultures around the world. Students could see how each culture is similar and different and the unique traditions and history each culture has.

Clay Necklaces

For this project we created necklaces out of clay. To begin this lesson, we were given a ball of clay. We took pieces from the clay and learned how to knead the clay in order to create small beads. We rolled the clay in order to create the different sizes and shapes of the beads. After we finished the beads, we painted the beads different colors and made designs on the beads. Then once the paint was dried we put the beads on the necklace. We had to have at least five beads on our necklaces, at least three colors, and create a design on some of the beads.


Here is a photo of my necklace:

An extension activity would be to instruct a lesson about mammals or reptiles, and have the students create different animals with the clay. Once the clay was dried, the students could paint their animals and add characteristics.

Safari

For this lesson, we made animals that you may see on a safari, but we made the animals look hidden. First to start the project I made red glasses with a red film on them which will help us see the animals. Next, I selected an animal to draw. I turned the image of the animal upside down in order to draw it on a sheet of white paper. By having it upside-down it was easier to focus on the lines of the animal. It was easier to start from the bottom of the animal and draw up to the head. I used a sky blue colored pencil to outline the animal- you have to use a cool color to draw it in order for the project to work. Sky blue works the best in order to catch the full effect. After I had the animal drawn out, I used red, yellow, and orange crayons and created a pattern over top the image of the animal. The crayons are warm colors, so they hid the blue outline. I drew lines and circles throughout my paper. By using the warm colors on top of the cool colors, it makes your eyes catch the warm colored pattern instead of the animal in the picture. Once I was finished with my picture, I put my red glasses on, and the image of the animal appeared.


This is a picture of my hidden safari animal. The animal I made was a zebra.

For an extension activity, a teacher could use the hidden drawings to incorporate another subject such as math. The teacher could write up a review game and hand out questions to the students. The answers to the questions could be hidden in the warm colored pictures and posted on a board. The students could work the problems, and once they think they have the correct answer they would put on their glasses to see if what they have is correct. This idea could also be made into a class competition, where you would divide the class up and they would compete to see who gets the correct answer.

Eric Carle Story Collage

For this project, we first watched a video about Eric Carle and the storybooks he creates. After the video, we created a two page story layout. To begin this project, we painted on 12 X 8 sheets of paper different colors and textures in order to create different scenes. Then, we drew images or characters that we wanted our story to be based on, and cut out the pieces. We used these pieces as a guide to trace the characters on to the textured painted paper we did earlier. To finish the project, we glued the textured pieces on to a 12 X 8 sheet of construction paper to create our story layout. Once we had everything placed where we wanted it we then added a sentence about the illustration to make the story look complete.

An extension activity would be to have students read a book for a literature class, and once they have completed the book, they could pick a part of the book and illustrate or retell that part of the story by making a collage like the ones we did based on Eric Carle.

This is a picture of the storybook page I created. It is about Peaches, the duck, and Violet, the lamb.

Tissue Paper Collage

Another project we did when we learned about Vincent Van Gogh was a tissue paper collage. Once again we focused on the painting the "Starry Night." The main objective of this project was to create a background with different swirls and shapes which is similar to Van Gogh's painting style. To begin this project, we picked out a color of construction paper and cut out different shapes out of the tissue paper. We then laid the tissue paper on the construction paper and created our background. Once, we had the tissue paper where we wanted, we used a glue and water mixture and painted the mixture with a brush on top of the tissue paper to make it stick. When you would lay different colors of tissue paper on top of each other, the color underneath would show through the top layer of tissue paper, which created unique colors and designs. Once, the picture was done and it was dry I cut out a city design and glued it to my collage. Then I took oil pastels and created bold lines and swirls in the background of my picture. To put details on the city, I used a silver sharpie marker to make the windows of the buildings.

An extension activity, would be instead of using tissue paper to make the swirls in the background students could use objects such as hard macaroni and yarn to create a sky or any kind of landscape, such as water. Instead, of making a city they could make trees or mountains, and create a picture using different items. By doing it this way, the students would be able to make something they are more familiar with, and they are having fun making an art project with macaroni.

Vincent Van Gogh Fingerpainting Project

To begin this activity, we first went through a powerpoint about Vincent Van Gogh in order to become more familiar with him and his art. The powerpoint discussed his life and had many interesting fact about him, and seen some of his artwork, such as the "Starry Night" painting.  After the discussion, we took a sheet of white paper and taped it down on our desks. Our project was to recreate or make our own version of the "Starry Night" painting. To complete this project, we had to have the swirls in our painting that were similar to what Van Gogh used in his "Starry Night" painting. We also needed to have a foreground, middle ground and a background in the painting. The colors we used were up to us, but we needed to use shades or tints in the painting, and mix the primary and secondary colors to create new colors. After we were done painting, we let the pictures dry and then framed them by using construction paper.

My fingerpainting is shown below. I decided to keep it similar to the "Starry Night" picture because I really liked the coloring Van Gogh used. It was fun to blend the colors together on the paper to get the different shades and tints.

An extension activity for this project would be to discuss different artists and their styles of painting. We could take certain paintings from each artist and compare their unique styles, and discuss how they are similar and different to Van Gogh's way of painting. We could then discuss the different time periods when each artist made their painting, and see if the era had any impact on the artists' style of painting.

Elements and Principles

Element- Space
Fence and corn field at our farm

Element- Texture
Thistle

Principle- Emphasis
Orange pumpkin in green patch

Principle- Contrast
Dog vs. Cat

Principle- Movement
Dog running

Foot Print Project

For an introduction activitiy our class made footprints with objects that described ourselves. During the beginning of class we stood up in the front of the classroom and described what each object meant.
This is my footprint: 

The white two heart ribbon represents that I am married. I used the two heart ribbon to show marriage because the two hearts are connecting; meaning two hearts are becoming one. The orange and blue ribbons are my two favorite colors, and they were also our wedding colors. The tent and fire represent that I enjoy going camping. The horse magazine clipping represents my hobby of riding horse. The leaves I used to show that my favorite season is fall. The dog paw print represents my dog Tori. The stickers on the bottom of the foot which are the apples, pencils, paint brushes, and rulers represent that I am going to be a teacher.

For this project we had to include our name and 3 different mediums.
An extension activity to use to get to know the students is send each student home with a paper bag, and have them put some items in the bag that represent themselves. For example, they could put a baseball in it because they enjoy baseball or played on a team or toy animals for a certain animal they like. The next day in class have the students do a show and tell with their items in their bags by describing to the class why they put the item in the bag and the meaning it has to them. This way the students can see everybody's interests and get to know them a little better.

Welcome to my Art Gallery!

This blog is for my Art Methods class.