Gummy Bear Tints Lesson

 My All School Art Show is sweets themed, and here is one of the lessons I'm doing with my students. 

Overlapping Snake Paintings

We are working on possible art show pictures. This years theme is PETS! I know that snakes aren’t everyone’s favorite pet, but I thought my second graders would enjoy creating one. Plus, it gives me a chance to reinforce overlapping. I had theme make their snake look like

 

1/2 Hour Class...Painting K-5th

This is what I did during our 2 hr delay day that changed my classes from an hour to a half hour! 

Crazy or Genius....YOU BE THE JUDGE! ! ha ha

Spring Kinder Paintings

Don't come at me about "PRIMARY" colors! I know that is debated in the online art education groups. I am not one that preaches red/yellow/blue.  It is, however, what I have on hand to use.  I'm using lids for the paint, 12x18 construction paper, big flat brushes, and tempera paint.  We've painted using markers, watercolor pencils, pan watercolor, and now tempera.  They are pretty good with following basic techniques/rules. I showed them how to mix the colors, but let them experiment.  If they end up with brown flowers...it is a learning experience. 

Video of My Class At Work

Notice how quiet the room is!  They are allowed to talk while they work, but they were so "into it" that they were silent...UNTIL...the one boy says, "Painting makes me tired." ha ha 

*I never show the students full face unless I have parent permission. That was one good thing about masks!! ha ha

Day 2 of Abstract Expressionism

 This is the second day the students worked on their abstract expressionist paintings. During the first class they used black, white, and the color of their choice (tempera).  They then were allowed to select a metallic acrylic to add into their work.  This week they had about 20 min. to "finish" their piece using at least one more color (acrylic). I think they turned out well. 

Artober Nashville: Inspired by Cassidy Cole

This year Cassidy Cole is our focus artist for Artober Nashville!  She was at our inservice at the start of the school year, and I thought she & her work were just delightful.  I feel that the style & content she creates is very exciting for students to see/learn about.  Plus, it is wonderful for them to see a young female artist that is local!  

I'm using some ideas that Cassidy shares in her video to guide the art work.  I talk to the students about the differences between creating an object & being inspired by an object, expressive color, nonobjective art, and unusual art tools.  I provide the students with RED, BLUE, or YELLOW(Even if they aren't the TRUE primary colors), a paper towel, and a popsicle stick. Review color mixing, ways to use the popsicle stick to apply the paint, and how to clean it off between colors in order to not create a whole lot of brown.  Then I let them go!  They have LOVED IT!!!  I love the variety/individuality of the works.  SO MUCH FUN!  Next class time I'll allow them to use oil pastel to add some structural lines to finish the work.    (The art images are student work from Kindergarten & 3rd Grade)

I HATE WASHABLE TEMPERA PAINT

Washable anything is pretty horrible when it comes to art supplies(I'm not being dramatic...for real..HORRIBLE!!!)  However, one of the worst offenders is washable tempera paint.  I was "gifted" with several bottles of washable tempera paint last year, and really struggle with the thought of just throwing it out.  I've googled on how to make it less horrible, but the only answer I've found is adding powdered tempera to it.

I decided to try to use it on our paper mache masks to give it lighter base to paint on next week.  The kids even became frustrated trying to cover the masks.  I will say it did dry to a decent white wash, but still does not make me want to buy it....EVER!

Black Glue Debacle

I haven't done black glue line projects in forever! I love the look, but always struggled with the glue bottles I used clogging up(I used regular glue bottles and just mixed up the paint and glue and poured it in!).  I found some bakery bottles at Dollar General the other day, and thought they might work really well for this project. They were $1.50 for two 4oz bottles.

So this morning I was excited to mix up a batch and give it a try.  I decided to use donated glue(Washable) & donated black tempera paint(Washable).  I really need to learn to do a test/sample first?!?!  I mixed up a huge cup of the mixture and poured it into the bottles I purchased.

I'm a hot mess when it comes to pouring stuff?!?!??! 

 I drew out a turtle, and traced him out.  Now I will say the glue does squeeze out generously from these bottles, but that was not the real issue.  The glue mixture seemed extremely "wet".  It started blobbing out from the initial line I drew.

When I picked it up( TRYING to keep it flat)...the black glue mixture ran.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!  I JUST MADE 8 BOTTLES OF THIS STUFF!?!?!

So I mixed up enough for one bottle using REAL Elmer's glue(except no substitutes) & a good brand of black tempera paint(not washable!!!).  You can see the difference!!!  I picked up the one on the left and moved it...and it did not run at all.  So...LESSON LEARNED!!!! Use the good stuff...because you almost always will get what you paid for!! 

(Now I have to go empty the other 7 bottles and make a new batch!!!) 

More Abstract Expressionism: 3rd & 4th Grade

Three weeks ago I posted about the abstract expressionism pictures my 3rd graders were creating.  My 4th graders loved the examples on the board so much...they asked if they could do the project as well.  Since I wanted to give them a chance using our new tempera cakes....I agreed.  I LOVE WHAT THEY ARE CREATING!!  We looked at many examples of abstract expressionism....from many different artists.  I feel the variety is wonderful!  I left the images larger so you can see them better. I hope you enjoy them!!

Abstract Expressionism: 3rd Grade

I love doing Abstract Expressionism with my 3rd graders!  We look at a huge collection of images so they can see the many different approaches artists used within the movement.  I focus in on the shapes, colors, and movement of the work that help to convey emotion in a work.  

I allowed them to use a pencil to draw in some basic shapes/lines they wanted in their work, but encouraged them to create most of the work using their brushes.  They were nervous about this(we usually draw before painting), but they embraced the challenge and really seemed to enjoy this out of "our" box approach.  

After many years of thinking about it...I finally ordered tempera cakes.  This is the lesson we broke them in on!!!  I limited their palette to the primaries, white, and black.  I encouraged them to use the black last to do more expressive line work with it using their small brush.  

Here are some of the results!  Many of the students used the colors in their pure form and did not explore color mixing much.  

Tempera Talk On A Snow Day

After being out of school for a week because of snow/ice....I HAD TO GET BACK IN MY CLASSROOM!  I'm not sure if any of you are like me, but I love a schedule, love teaching art, love my classroom, and love being prepared.  My wife(knowing all this about me) encouraged me to come in today and get some things done.  So here is the video I made about tempera paint & how I'm managing the materials!!  Wasn't on my to-do list.....but you all are worth it! 

Would love to hear your management tips & tricks for tempera & painting in general!  

Kindergarten Meets Kandinsky

We kicked off the class with a YouTube Video.   If you have not discovered Art With Mati & Dada.....GO CHECK IT OUT NOW!!!  They are short yet informative!  Make sure you preview first..there may be a couple that you might not feel comfortable showing your students.  The Kandinsky video is great!!  

We then looked at several works by Kandinsky, and I allowed my kindergarten students to make observations about what they saw.  (The little ones are so amazing in their responses!!!)

After I reviewed painting "rules/procedures", I started playing some instrumental music....passed out supplies...and let the students begin.  It was a magical time in the art room.  

HERE IS A VIDEO OF A STUDENT WORKING

HERE ARE SOME WORKS IN PROGRESS

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Inspired

This project is in progress.  I read the 4th graders The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The first week the reimagined the troll that lived under the bridge.  I have them red, yellow, blue, black, and white tempera, and they had to mix all of their colors.  I loved all the different ideas they came up with.  The following week we looked at a variety of bridges, and discussed what would be the most appropriate for a troll to live under, and what type of landscape/setting that bridge would be found in.  

I think we have at least one more day to wrap them up!!!  I HOPE! ha ha