Elementary Art K - 2
A Trip to Monet's Garden
During this lesson, kindergarteners studied the light and colors captured in Monet's water lily paintings. Finger painted water lilies came to life through the use of premixed tempera paint provided to the students. With the sounds of an outdoor garden playing in the background and a little imagination, the students felt the sun on their faces and the wind blowing through their hair!
During this lesson, kindergarteners studied the light and colors captured in Monet's water lily paintings. Finger painted water lilies came to life through the use of premixed tempera paint provided to the students. With the sounds of an outdoor garden playing in the background and a little imagination, the students felt the sun on their faces and the wind blowing through their hair!
Picasso Portraits
The first graders explored the cubist artwork of Pablo Picasso. The students took note of the bold colors, the frontal and profile views of the face, and the use of geometric shapes and patterns in many of his paintings. Using mirrors, the students drew basic self portraits with black oil pastels and then painted them with primary colored tempera paint. The eyes, mouths and noses were drawn on separate sheets of paper, and the final image was assembled together with glue.
The first graders explored the cubist artwork of Pablo Picasso. The students took note of the bold colors, the frontal and profile views of the face, and the use of geometric shapes and patterns in many of his paintings. Using mirrors, the students drew basic self portraits with black oil pastels and then painted them with primary colored tempera paint. The eyes, mouths and noses were drawn on separate sheets of paper, and the final image was assembled together with glue.
Under a Starry Sky
The second grade students studied the thick impasto brushstrokes of Van Gogh's painting Starry Night. Incorporating the basic elements of a landscape painting; foreground, middle ground, and background, the students created their own collaged version of the painting Starry Night.
Elementary Art 3 - 5
Native-American Biome Shields
The third graders of Falmouth Elementary study the biomes of the United States in their science classes every year. This year in art their science curriculum was integrated into an art project. Each student chose a different animal from a biome of their choice and designed a paper collaged shield about that animal. Once the shields were completed, the students used them in a play about the different biomes.
The third graders of Falmouth Elementary study the biomes of the United States in their science classes every year. This year in art their science curriculum was integrated into an art project. Each student chose a different animal from a biome of their choice and designed a paper collaged shield about that animal. Once the shields were completed, the students used them in a play about the different biomes.
Paper Mache Maracas
The fourth grade students studied 3d form. After discussing the differences between 2d and 3d art, the fourth grade students drew sketches of animals from different angles. Once they began to understand that the art would need to be viewed from all sides, they began to sculpt. Using paper mache, aluminum foil and tempera paint, their animals came to life!
The fourth grade students studied 3d form. After discussing the differences between 2d and 3d art, the fourth grade students drew sketches of animals from different angles. Once they began to understand that the art would need to be viewed from all sides, they began to sculpt. Using paper mache, aluminum foil and tempera paint, their animals came to life!
Copper Embossing
The fifth grade students studied architecture from around the world. Each student selected the facade of a building of their choice and sketched it. Once sketched, they transferred their drawings onto a sheet of copper using a stylus. Using concave and convex lines the buildings took form. The final touch was adding some india ink to the surface and wiping it away to give the final product an antique finish.
The fifth grade students studied architecture from around the world. Each student selected the facade of a building of their choice and sketched it. Once sketched, they transferred their drawings onto a sheet of copper using a stylus. Using concave and convex lines the buildings took form. The final touch was adding some india ink to the surface and wiping it away to give the final product an antique finish.
Middle School Art 6 - 8
Surrealist Mixed-Media Collages
The sixth graders began this lesson by playing a surrealist game called the exquisite corpse. The students each began writing a story and when a minute had passed they folded their paper to expose only the last sentence and passed their story to the person next to them . Once the story came around full circle, the students read their stories and selected their favorite part to illustrate using collage. Experimental art techniques were introduced such as acrylic medium transfers, packing tape transfers, crackle paint and distressed paint.
Surrealist Mixed-Media Collages
The sixth graders began this lesson by playing a surrealist game called the exquisite corpse. The students each began writing a story and when a minute had passed they folded their paper to expose only the last sentence and passed their story to the person next to them . Once the story came around full circle, the students read their stories and selected their favorite part to illustrate using collage. Experimental art techniques were introduced such as acrylic medium transfers, packing tape transfers, crackle paint and distressed paint.
Pop Art Portraits
Both the fifth and seventh grade students studied pop art and the portraits of Roy Lichtenstein. Using benday dots, students created pop art portraits using vibrant colors. The seventh grade class completed their finals with markers due to shortened classes, while the fifth graders (who had more time to work) completed their portraits with tempera paint. The results were fun comic-book style portraits that seemed to interact with each other when hung on the wall.
Both the fifth and seventh grade students studied pop art and the portraits of Roy Lichtenstein. Using benday dots, students created pop art portraits using vibrant colors. The seventh grade class completed their finals with markers due to shortened classes, while the fifth graders (who had more time to work) completed their portraits with tempera paint. The results were fun comic-book style portraits that seemed to interact with each other when hung on the wall.
Oil Pastel Transfers
The eighth grade art enrichment class experimented with various color schemes and oil pastel transfers. After choosing a color scheme, the students did a line drawing of an insect on the outside of a folded sheet of paper that had oil pastel on the inside. The results were some beautifully drawn insects with lovely color subtitles.
The eighth grade art enrichment class experimented with various color schemes and oil pastel transfers. After choosing a color scheme, the students did a line drawing of an insect on the outside of a folded sheet of paper that had oil pastel on the inside. The results were some beautifully drawn insects with lovely color subtitles.
High School
Art 1- Delicious Dozen
This was a simple variation of the traditional color wheel with acrylic paint. After studying some basic color theory and repeating the definition of analogous colors to the students a dozen times, the students sketched donuts from life. Following sketching the tempting treat, the students painted the frosting of their sketched donuts.
Art 1- Delicious Dozen
This was a simple variation of the traditional color wheel with acrylic paint. After studying some basic color theory and repeating the definition of analogous colors to the students a dozen times, the students sketched donuts from life. Following sketching the tempting treat, the students painted the frosting of their sketched donuts.
Digital Media- Pencil Vs. Camera
The digital media students studied the artwork of contemporary artist Ben Heine who created a series called "Pencil vs. Camera." Heine's images are a combination of surreal drawings and traditional photography. After brainstorming ideas for their final, students took photos with digital cameras. The students then selected the portion of their photo that they wanted to alter and drew that portion of the image. In Photoshop, the students use some basic tools to combine the two images.
The digital media students studied the artwork of contemporary artist Ben Heine who created a series called "Pencil vs. Camera." Heine's images are a combination of surreal drawings and traditional photography. After brainstorming ideas for their final, students took photos with digital cameras. The students then selected the portion of their photo that they wanted to alter and drew that portion of the image. In Photoshop, the students use some basic tools to combine the two images.
Art 1- Things That Go Bump in the Night
Art 1 designed monsters with clay during December. Using the completed sculptures as maquettes, students developed a sketch of their monster for a full-color illustration. Using various textures and papers, the students built up a textured ground to paint on. Their sketches were then transferred to this surface. Using acrylic paint and some experimental techniques, the spooky illustrations came to life!
Portfolio II: Observational Drawing
This is a course I teach at the Currier Museum Art Center for teens serious about developing their portfolios for art school. The students work from observation, both still life and the nude model. Some of the work displayed are works in progress.
This is a course I teach at the Currier Museum Art Center for teens serious about developing their portfolios for art school. The students work from observation, both still life and the nude model. Some of the work displayed are works in progress.
