Stencils and Chalk

Today was a very creative and messy day in the art room. We studied a brief history of stenciling as both a decorative and folk art. Once that was done, the students used regular chalk pastels to create a decorative design using a pre-made stencil (found in the back of my art closet from one of the previous art teachers) in preparation for creating our own stencils next class.

I am really happy with the way they came out. The kids had fun and were really messy at the end -- something they were not happy about. :) 

Finished pictures will be posted later in the week!

Still Life Unit

This semester my 8th graders focused on observational drawings and paintings, specifically still lifes. We looked at Dutch Baroque still lifes as well Cubism still lifes by Pablo Picasso.

With the Cubist Still Life the students studied color schemes and used chalk pastels to create these amazing works of art. 

The students weren't too happy with completing two still life art works and were all bottled out by the time we were done but I have to say that I am extremely pleased with the results. 

Maybe next time I will break up the unit by putting another project in the middle.