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

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.

Landscapes a la Grandma Moses

6th grade students covered landscape artist grandma moses this year and created some of the more amazing landscape paintings I have seen from my students.

They were required to have a foreground, middle ground and background along with three landforms and one body of water. Since they cover geography in social studies I thought it would be a great idea to bring it into the art room.

I have to say that I absolutely love the way all of them came out!

Decoration Crazy

This year I was very exited and lucky when I was able to get the back of my classroom back from the speech department! Now I have room to expand as well as display more stuff. 

Most of my permanent bulletin boards were derived from the Art with Mr. E blog (the one above and the no no board below). I really love the way they came out.

All of the student artwork is usually displayed outside the art room on hallway boards near the main office and cafeteria so it is very rare for me to have artwork in the art room. This year, however, I am using the yarn and laundry clips I found to display artwork around the room. I am hoping to change it often and hopefully create an environment of student pride in their work.

We are also required to create work walls for our lessons but because I teach three different grades (6,7, and 8) it was easier this year to create three boards -- one for each grade. However, instead of creating a board with just words I have added pictures to the board to help the students remember the art terms, styles, periods and technique.

This still life board is for the 8th grade. When I took the pic over a month ago, it was unfinished but I will be taking a newer photo soon to post.

Fantastic Castles

The first project of the school year is finally done and hanging! -- well at least the 6th grade one is. We spent an entire class mod (about 80minutes) looking at and discussing architecture from around the world and through out time. They really liked seeing all the different buildings and even commented on how even though they are from different cultures and times they all have similar features. 

I was really impressed with their ability to figure that out as well as articulate it.

After discussing everything they began to draw their castles out. Some students focused on castles, others were really interested in the catherdals. Especally St. Basil's in Moscow Russia. They kept calling the onion domes hersey kisses. It was really cute.

The level of discussion and talent in the 6th grade never ceases to amaze me. They are a constant surprise with their vocabulary and ideas.

After they had drawn out their castles we talked about and looked at different types of patterns. They had to decorate the facade of their castle with different patterns. 

Eventually the castles were cut out and glue to a piece of watercolor paper that had been given a colorful watercolor wash background. The contrast between the black and white buildings and the backgrounds are great! I just love how they came out.

I am extremely please with the way they all came out. I cant wait to see what else theses students have in store for the rest of the year. 6th grade is always exciting for me -- new kids coming from all different elementary schools -- it is just great! 

the only bad thing is --- this is the first time most of the have art. It is horrible that the kids have to suffer no art in elementary schools because of budget reasons.

But the end of a project is both a sad and a happy time. We are going to try to stay happy!