2nd Grade Fall Apple Forms & Radial Symmetry Leaves

2nd graders have been working hard and well on this complicated project.  The first day of our project we talked about some of the things that the fall season brings.  We first focused on apple orchards.  I then went around and placed an apple on each of the tables.

We then talked about these terms:
Still Life: an object that does not move while you paint or draw it
Contour: the outside or outline of an object
Form: Making something look 3D on a 2D surface

Students were then instructed to make a contour drawing of the still life on their tables, in this case an apple.  After students made their drawing we talked about 3D vs 2D.  We talked about how the apples sitting on the tables are 3D, but the apples on our paper are 2D.  After a demonstration with oil pastels students were faced with the challenge of making their 2D apple look 3D.  After students finished their apple they were instructed to cut it out.

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For the next step of our project we discussed radial symmetry. 

Radial Symmetry: Something that is the same on both sides and goes around a central point. 

Students were given a 6in x 6in square to make a leaf design.  They were instructed to keep it simple and the leaf stem must go to a corner.

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After students designed their leaf they were instructed to flip their squares over and with pencil shade the back of their square.  Students then received a piece of tape and 12in x 12in piece of paper.  Students taped their square down to the paper and traced over the design with a ball point pen.  The design then transfers onto the paper, students continue this four times until all four corners are filled with their radial design.

Students then were able to go over their radial design with crayon adding some color.  We used wax resist with watercolor to make the finished radial symmetrical design.

This project took about 4 classes to complete, 2nd graders worked very hard and they are turning out wonderfully!

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To finish off the project students glued their cutout apple on the middle of their radial leaf design to create a fall inspired piece.

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6th Grade Form & Value Sports Balls

6th Graders are learning about form and the 6 types of light that help show form: Highlight, Light, Shadow, Core of Shadow, Cast Shadow, and Reflected Light.

To put their knowledge to work students will select a sports ball of their choice (football, basketball, volleyball etc.) to show form and the 6 different types of light.  The goal of the students is to make a 2D  object look 3D.  Students used oil pastel to achieve this, blending them very carefully together.  Students were instructed to fill the background either with a pattern, solid color, or they could go along with the sport theme they chose. 

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5th Grade Picasso Cubism Portraits

5th Graders are learning about the Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso.  They are learning about the art style Cubism, invented by Picasso.  Students made their own cubist portraits in the style of Picasso.  Students paired up, one student posed while the other drew their partner and then they switched.  The student posing was to have two different poses.  The student drawing drew both poses and combined them to create one portrait.  

Here are the important terms we focused on when making this project.

Portrait:  The drawing or painting of person.

Geometric Shapes: Precise forms such as squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles.

Cubism: An artistic style, that describes painting of a person, place or thing that are made of geometric shapes and many different perspectives.

Here are some of Picasso's artwork we looked at in creating these portraits:

      

 

  

We also discussed warm and cool colors.

Warm colors are your reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, and browns. (think of the sun)

Cool colors are your greens, blues, and purples. (think of water or a winter's day)

Students were asked to use warm colors on one side of the face and cool colors on the other side of the face.  We used oil pastel to add color and practiced blending techniques.

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Kindergarten Secondary Color Pumpkin Landscape

With all the painted paper kindergarteners made students made a fall inspired piece.  Using the secondary color painted paper students practiced our cutting and gluing skills as well as making shapes.  The main shape we focused on was the pumpkin shape using an oval to make the form.  Students could add detail to their pumpkins with black sharpie.

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This last one was made by an ELL student, notice the sleeping pumpkin.