My personal life's journey of self discovery and my undying passion for art and all its possibilities. Follow me as I explore, learn, educate, and live my ultimate dream - teaching art and sharing it with others!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Neon Tigers
We had some really excited students last week. I try so hard to find products I havent used yet and also try to find materials and art supplies that the kids will love. This time I think I did good! Although the neon paint was very expensive (still dont understand why), it was worth it.
I taught the kids how to free-hand a tiger. Almost all of them never drew a tiger before, so I am very impressed at their first attempt.
I told them a story of how I was younger and remember sketching my first animal- a cat. My friend had gotten a "How to Draw Cats" book for her birthday and I remember sleeping over her house and being a crazy woman and drawing cat after cat! The more I practiced the more I got better and my sketches looked better than the ones in the book. I try to explain that it takes practice and patience when drawing and if they continue practicing, they will master it!
Here are the results of our Tiger. Neon paints really made the difference. We used black oil pastel for the outline and used a "stippling" effect to apply our paints to the tigers face.
I taught the kids how to free-hand a tiger. Almost all of them never drew a tiger before, so I am very impressed at their first attempt.
I told them a story of how I was younger and remember sketching my first animal- a cat. My friend had gotten a "How to Draw Cats" book for her birthday and I remember sleeping over her house and being a crazy woman and drawing cat after cat! The more I practiced the more I got better and my sketches looked better than the ones in the book. I try to explain that it takes practice and patience when drawing and if they continue practicing, they will master it!
Here are the results of our Tiger. Neon paints really made the difference. We used black oil pastel for the outline and used a "stippling" effect to apply our paints to the tigers face.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Watercolor Birch Trees
I am seeing such great results with the Birch Tree project that we are teaching this week. There is alot to learn with this lesson although it seems so simple!
I taught the kids about perspective and how to view the trees as if they were in the forest. I explained to them that if they were in the forest and were in front of a tree, it would appear quite large. If you then looked further into the distance, the trees would look small. We then applied that to our work and I showed them how to make that perspective possible.
Next, we talked about gradients, something I always touch upon when using watercolors. I gave them an example of sunsets and how all the colors swirl into one another. I showed them how to apply the watercolor and blend it in with other colors to make the lines and color soft.
Finally, we talked about detail, which is so important with art and little kids! We talked about the lines of the birch tree and the detail and shadows they should apply to make it look as natural and real.
Here are some of the results!
I taught the kids about perspective and how to view the trees as if they were in the forest. I explained to them that if they were in the forest and were in front of a tree, it would appear quite large. If you then looked further into the distance, the trees would look small. We then applied that to our work and I showed them how to make that perspective possible.
Next, we talked about gradients, something I always touch upon when using watercolors. I gave them an example of sunsets and how all the colors swirl into one another. I showed them how to apply the watercolor and blend it in with other colors to make the lines and color soft.
Finally, we talked about detail, which is so important with art and little kids! We talked about the lines of the birch tree and the detail and shadows they should apply to make it look as natural and real.
Here are some of the results!
Pick and Draw
I recently came across a man named Rich Davis who created a card type game for children using cartoon faces and features. I didnt know what to expect when I purchased it, but I love trying new things and I also love to support our artist community. I opened the deck today and decided to play it with the kids from the art camp. All I can say is WOW! The kids loved it. They loved being dealt a card and seeing what was behind it. They loved creating different characters and had a blast. I actually had to tell them, ok, only 1 more game and thats it! :)
So, here are some of the results, they are super cute! I love the one with the muscles, my pal Zac made that one!
So, here are some of the results, they are super cute! I love the one with the muscles, my pal Zac made that one!
 |
| What big muscles Zac! Nice work. |
 |
| Awesome job Gracie! I love the hair! |
 |
| Great creativity Owen. |
Monday, January 2, 2012
Welcome 2012
After a well needed break, we are back and ready to welcome 2012 in with some new and exciting art lessons! I have to admit, I was itching to get back into the classes and talking with the kids. I missed them!
This weeks lesson is a real neat lesson that has beautiful results. This lesson incorporates a variety of things to be learned, or so I hope.
Our medium of choice was watercolors and we talked about perspective and I gave them an example of being in the forest and looking at the trees. The ones close up to you were big, but the ones in the distance looked small. We used this example to then make our Birch Trees. I always touch upon gradient color and explained to them that gradient wasn't ingredient, the young ones always think thats what I am saying!
We used contact paper to create our trees and I explained to them what "masking" was.
The results were very impressive, for they each picked what color scheme they wanted. Great job as always kids!
This weeks lesson is a real neat lesson that has beautiful results. This lesson incorporates a variety of things to be learned, or so I hope.
Our medium of choice was watercolors and we talked about perspective and I gave them an example of being in the forest and looking at the trees. The ones close up to you were big, but the ones in the distance looked small. We used this example to then make our Birch Trees. I always touch upon gradient color and explained to them that gradient wasn't ingredient, the young ones always think thats what I am saying!
We used contact paper to create our trees and I explained to them what "masking" was.
The results were very impressive, for they each picked what color scheme they wanted. Great job as always kids!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Symmetry in Snow
So, this is the last week before we take our Christmas Break. I wanted the lesson to be relaxing, fun, and winter related, however I still wanted to teach them a specific lesson.
I chose this Snowman lesson that incorporates bright colors, glitter, and vibrance. If you look deeper than that, there is actually something to be learned in it, don't know if the kids caught on!
I incorporated the use of a ruler, which, believe it or not, most kids, even my oldest students who are 11, had problems following along. I showed them how to place it right in front of them and to move the paper, not the ruler. I explained how to line the paper up to the edge of the ruler, and to put a point on each side of the paper where the number 4 is. This created a square grid for us to work on.
The next step of the lesson was to teach them about symmetry. I had them draw their snowman where the dots they made were. Half of the snowman was on one side of the dot, and the other half was on the other side of the dot.
Next, they traced it in with a black sharpie, added their colors for the nose, scarf, and hat. they then were asked to color in each of the 4 quadrants with a different color. The paper we used was a marker paper which really helped make the markers appear smooth.
The final step was adding the snow and we mounted it on black cardstock.
Like usual, we got some really great results!
I chose this Snowman lesson that incorporates bright colors, glitter, and vibrance. If you look deeper than that, there is actually something to be learned in it, don't know if the kids caught on!
I incorporated the use of a ruler, which, believe it or not, most kids, even my oldest students who are 11, had problems following along. I showed them how to place it right in front of them and to move the paper, not the ruler. I explained how to line the paper up to the edge of the ruler, and to put a point on each side of the paper where the number 4 is. This created a square grid for us to work on.
The next step of the lesson was to teach them about symmetry. I had them draw their snowman where the dots they made were. Half of the snowman was on one side of the dot, and the other half was on the other side of the dot.
Next, they traced it in with a black sharpie, added their colors for the nose, scarf, and hat. they then were asked to color in each of the 4 quadrants with a different color. The paper we used was a marker paper which really helped make the markers appear smooth.
The final step was adding the snow and we mounted it on black cardstock.
Like usual, we got some really great results!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thank you!
I just wanted to take the time and thank all of you who came out to the Santas Workshop, as well as thank you for your generous donations to Duke Childrens Hospital. I will be sending out a check first thing Monday morning for $540.00! I am so happy and feel so grateful to be able to do this for the children. thanks again, and Happy Holidays!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)