Symmetrical Name Mandalas

This is a wonderful project to keep the kids focused and working even when they're antsy at home. 

Simple materials as well: photocopy paper (cut into squares) and markers or colored pencils.

I found this lesson HERE on the blog Apples Loves Oranges. 

She gives excellent detailed instructions which my students followed. 

Here are some Grade 5 results:

Maya Glyphs in Charcoal

Starting today I'm going to try and post art lessons that use simple and/or minimal supplies, to help those of us who are teaching from home (including me!)

This lesson only requires charcoal and some type of drawing paper. It helps if you have white chalk pastels as well for shading.

I introduced my Grade 7-9 students to the ancient Maya civilization. I showed them a map of the world where they are located as well as some images of their glyphs. I also showed the video below:

I created handout from images I found online of Maya glyphs and their translations. Students could also choose to write their name as per instructions in THIS PDF file. 

First they sketched out their glyph(s) onto grey construction paper.

I did a demo on the different types of charcoal (vine, conte and compressed) and let them choose between conte or compressed. I also showed them how to shade these to make them look like carved glyphs. 

They fill in the center areas with white then outline them with black or brown and then blend it all together using their fingers or a blending stump.

Charcoal does erase and I recommend that you keep specific erasers separate just for charcoal and chalk pastels projects- mine were so dirty afterwards, lol

Some finished Grade 7-9 artworks- our school shut down mid project!

Modigliani Style Portrait Paintings

This is one of my all time favorite lessons to teach to my junior high (Grade 7-9) students. 

I get so excited for the new results every time I teach it. 

You can see my previous posts on this lesson HERE and HERE.

It's inspired by one of my favourite artists, Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920). He is known for portraits and nudes in a modern style characterized by elongation of faces, necks, and figures that were not received well during his lifetime but later found acceptance and now sell in the millions at auction. 

Portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne, 1918
SOURCE 

 Students start off by looking at his work and then drawing a quick practice sketch. Then they draw their good copy on 12 x 18" heavy white paper. They need to elongate the neck and stylize the facial features. Many of them struggle with this because they say that the faces look 'so weird' and 'so creepy', haha.

Once the drawing is complete, they start by painting the skin colour. We use tempera paint for this project. I love the flat matte finish it gives. 

Then paint the hair and body/clothing and finally the background. I encourage students to mix colours and paint in a loose, free style.

Once everything is dry, go over all the pencil lines with a charcoal pencil (I like the General's brand) and blend with your finger to create a beautiful, soft shaded effect. 

Some Grade 7 - 9 artworks 

(and yes, I have mostly girls in my classes, hence all the female portraits!)