Wow! Time is going by fast! I haven't done a very good job of updating what we are doing in class on here...so I'll try to write a brief recap.
6th Grade:
After our One Point Perspective project, the students spent a week learning about "Atmospheric Perspective". This is a fancy term for another technique artists use to create the illusion of space, especially in landscape drawings and paintings. Students viewed pictures of different kinds of landscapes and we discussed how mountains in the distance appear faded and different colors because of how much "atmosphere" is between us and those mountains.
6th Grade:
After our One Point Perspective project, the students spent a week learning about "Atmospheric Perspective". This is a fancy term for another technique artists use to create the illusion of space, especially in landscape drawings and paintings. Students viewed pictures of different kinds of landscapes and we discussed how mountains in the distance appear faded and different colors because of how much "atmosphere" is between us and those mountains.
Next the students practiced mixing paint to make Tints and Shades with one pure color, black, and white. Then they started painting in their landscapes using a value scale (light to dark) to show that what is farther away appears to fade into the distance. Most students decided to use a Hilly or Mountainous landscape, while some created Seascapes or Cityscapes.
7th Grade:
Since the last update, 7th grade have completed two projects.
Since the last update, 7th grade have completed two projects.
- 2 Point Perspective Treehouses - We spent a class or two reviewing what they already know about drawing using 1 and 2 Point perspective and worked through some different examples. Students then learned how to use two vanishing points to draw a 3-D treehouse. After drawing the tree and adding fun details such as tireswings, ropes, "Beware of Dog" signs, etc., they used a couple watercolor techniques that I showed them (Wax Resist and Wet on Wet) to add color to their drawings. Each one looked so unique when they were finished!!
- Printmaking Unit: Endangered Animals - This has been my favorite project that we've done so far, and I think the kids would agree with me. First, the students used laptops and went to the World Wildlife Fund to look through the list of Endangered species and choose one to draw. They had to write down a few facts about the animal they chose such as why they are endangered and what is being done to help. I also showed them this video as an example of how another form of art can be used to help raise awareness for issues such as Endangered animals
After practicing sketching their animals, they transferred their drawing onto a linoleum block and I demonstrated how to carve out the design with special linoleum cutters. They (especially the boys) LOVED this part! After all their lines were cut out, they used rollers to apply a thin layer of water soluble ink and make a print onto paper. I had stations with different colors set up around the room for them to try out a few different colors. Their finished prints turned out really cool and the students were super excited to take home their linoleum block.
8th Grade:
These students have completed a smorgasbord of projects because they keep flying through all the things I plan for them!
These students have completed a smorgasbord of projects because they keep flying through all the things I plan for them!
- Pop Art Unit - Students studied the artwork of Roy Lichtenstein, an artist whose style was heavily influenced by modern popular culture and mass media. Along with Andy Warhol, the pop artists took things that were considered "low art" such as advertisements (think of the famous Campbell's Soup paintings) or, as in Roy's case, cartoons and comics, and elevated them to a higher form of art.
Graphic Design Unit:
If you would like to see the Intro PwrPt I showed, click here
- Advertisements - First, students viewed a couple of familiar commercials and, at their tables, discussed if they thought the ad was effective or not and why. After watching Geico's "Hump Day" and Old Spice's "Really weird commercial for soap song" commercial, the general conclusion was that these were attention grabbing and funny, but geared toward a particular audience. We also discussed the use of logo's, jingles (or "catch phrases"), typography, and color psychology. Did you know scientists have found that certain colors can make you feel different ways?!! Advertisers can use that to their advantage.
If you would like to see the Intro PwrPt I showed, click here
- Animation - Again under our Graphic Design Unit, students learned various vocabulary words and phrases related to animation. Then they created their own mini flip books. For each "frame" the image could only move about an 1/8 inch from the image before. Students had to use at least 20 pages and color their flip books in to complete the project. Some students chose very simple animations such as a bouncing ball, but I was very impressed at the creativity of many of the other finished "moving pictures."