Elements of Art Mixed Media art project

Here's a great first project for the beginning of the year that I do with my mixed high school class. I call it the elements of art design. Essentially, students divide their paper into 7 sections- one for each art element. Then, using media and theme of their choice, they try to visually represent each element, trying to keep the whole artwork cohesive. It's very challenging!

The elements of art are the fundamental components that artists use to create visual art. These elements, often referred to as the building blocks of art, include line, shape, form, space, color, value, and texture. Understanding and utilizing these elements allows artists to express their ideas and create visually engaging works. 

I love how this project allows for alot of creativity and personal choice. 

I always get so many varied designs by my kids!

 

Cubist Style Watercolour Paintings

This is a beautiful Analytical Cubist inspired watercolour project that my high school class completed last year.

I posted all the steps previously HERE and HERE.

They had to pick a theme and then draw a few objects related to that theme on watercolour paper. Then they fracture the whole picture using a ruler. Within each section, they paint a gradation using watercolours. 

Grade 10 -12 finished artworks!

 

Cardboard Low Relief Landscapes

Here's a great project to use up all that cardboard art teachers tend to accumulate.

I found the lesson HERE but adapted it to include landscape imagery.

Grade 7-9 students looked up images online for inspo. They started with a large base layer of cardboard, then cut out other shapes and hot glued them on top. They were encouraged to add elements of corrugated cardboard for texture. Then they painted the entire composition with black acrylic paint. Once dry, they added colour using the side of oil pastels.

I love how different they all tuned out!

Look at this cute little drawbridge that opens up with a string!

 

Art In Nature Trail

For any of my followers who live in Alberta or BC or are planning on visiting Banff, Alberta in the summer, there is a gorgeous free outdoor art exhibition (July 1 to September 30) called "Art in Nature Trail". (see the link for all the artist profiles- I love how many female artists are represented!!)

 I've gone for the past few years when I just happened to stumble across it one day. Now I try to visit every summer. It's a really peaceful walk along the Bow River aways from the hoards of tourists shopping in the Banff town center. 

Begun in 2021, it has become a meticulously curated collection of over 65 awe-inspiring art installations, masterfully crafted by esteemed Canadian Artists. These creations span a diverse range of mediums, each piece carefully selected to harmonize with the surrounding natural landscape. This exhibition isn't inside a gallery, and you don't need a ticket. Beginning at the Banff Park Museum, travel along the Bow River Trail, across the pedestrian bridge, towards Bow Falls, and then return back to Central Park via the new Nancy Pauw Bridge. 

Every time I've walked it, I've always seen deer, so I always look forward to that!

This was a sign at Moraine Lake, about an hour away from Banff.
The Rockies have attracted artists for over a hundred years.

These were created by local school children.