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!

Klimt Pattern People

This is the third time I have taught this project and usually the students love it. This time it was weird. They seemed to like it but it was like they didn't care. Having students not care is not unusual for a middle school but it is something I don't usually encounter with this project.

For this project the students are introduced to the art of Gustav Klimt and a basic introduction of the Art Nouveau art movement. The main focus is on line, pattern and design. What is really interesting is how the students handle a new medium -- white charcoal on black paper. usually everything we do starts with white paper and pencil. This use of the white drawing on black paper works well and I feel challenges the students a bit.

I am excited to see what the other students say about the artwork. Usually the rest of the school loves to look at these drawings and comment of the patterns, the models/celebrities and the fashions drawn.

Mandala Radial Design

I absolutely love the way these mandala's came out! some of the students had a problem with lining up their pie slices so parts of it are not completely symmetrical or even radial in balance but they still look amazing.

I gave the students a choice between markers and colored pencils. most of the student, however choose the makers (first time I have had good markers in my room in two years). But I still like the way the colored pencil ones came out.