Auction Piece

This was my auction piece for our Spark Park Auction. It was acrylic on foam board and the bubbles were made from various jewels donated by Charming Charlie. I hope the buyer donates it back so I can keep it...selfish, I know, but it IS MY daughter! Heres the photo inspiration I took a few weeks ago

Still Life: Shoes

Last month, my students did a still life project of their shoes. The success rate was HUGE and they learned a lot about drawing from life, Emphasis, and Rhythm.



The key to their success was trying to train their mind to draw with their eyes! We started with a contour line of their shoe from TWO different view points that looked something like below. An outline of what they see with NOTHING in the middle. Then they use that as a reference to fill in the lines for the rest of the shoe.

We talked about how to listen to your eyes, not your mind. For instance, their mind says to draw a circle for the laces holes, but in reality it is a “C” shape because the lace overlaps the circle. 

Then we learned about EMPHASIS
I asked them what was emphasis and showed them some photos of how emphasis can be created with..
Clarity Texture
Light Line
Color
Space/Shape/composition
Then when I asked if the shoes would still have emphasis if they colored them the same color as the background. They said no because they would blend in and camoflage.


Their backgrounds had to have PATTERN and also create RHYTHM

Koi Fish

I did koi fish a few years ago, and this year I revisited the lesson but with a new technique.
Here is my last Koi project http://www.elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/search/label/Koi%20Fish
the Japanese associate koi (also known as carp) with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.
The Koi fish is also very strong physically, and can jump with its entire body out of the water. They are often painted surrounded by a big splash!
We watched this video of a Koi fish jumping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBq6BX9i1f4
I varied this lesson for each grade level…
Fifth graders are using photos and Ipads to look at images of Koi fish to create an original composition on a large paper and coloring with chalk pastels. They are focusing on emphasis and space. They have just started so I don’t have many to post yet.
Many artworks also have cherry blossoms that haven fallen into the water. They are a symbol of love.

Kinder, 1st, and Second are doing a draw along with the focus of value, and space. I have drawn a step by step with my draw-a-long “lingo” written for each step. Sometimes the way you SAY it can make a HUGE difference in the outcome. Since the younger ones are learning how to form their letters, it is very relevant to incorporate certain lines as “letters”







When the drawing is finished, the fish is outlined with markers…

and painted with plain ol’ water! The markers create a watercolor effect.  So simple!


Here’s some results from today by grade level
Kindergarten


First Grade


Second Grade






Third Grade


One student found that they look very while wet when held up to the light. I might try adding oil to them to create a transparent effect tomorrow




Fourth
not quite finished yet




I feel like I should be serving up some Sushi with this lesson!!