3D Illuminated Letters Final Post

Here we are with the final pictures of the 7th graders 3D letters. After we used the Elmers art paste to attach the newspaper to our base, the students painted a layer of gesso or primer.

Half way through all the students, we ran out of gesso and had to use white tempera paint. Unfortunatly, this way I will run out of white paint very quickly but the students were so happy with the way their letters were turning out I am not sure I care.

Once the gesso was dried, the students began to add designs onto their letters using tempera and acrylic paint. Some of the students drew out designs first then added color (this way took longer but looks neater) and others just added color.

The letters came out amazing in the end. This was my first time teaching this lesson and I am extremely pleased with the outcome. I cant wait to see how they will turn out next year!

3D Illuminated Letters

For the 7th sculpture project this first semester, we are completing large scale illuminated letters. We looked at the illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages as well as some Islamic calligraphy. 

Once we constructed the letters with oak tag and clear plastic cups (colored ones or paper cups also work) the students began to add newspaper using the paper mache method. We used Elmers art paste to create the glue for the newspaper.

In doing this project I have noticed something about my students. All the girls had no trouble getting their hands all covered in the glue but the boys were very hesitant about getting dirty. I was really surprised by this since it is usually the opposite.

With two days left in the semester (which ends this batch of art classes) the students are finishing up the final touches. I will have an update later on this week with more pics of the final process.

Sneak Peak into 7th grade Sculptures