Haunted House Ink Painting Silhouette

 

This is a fantastic Halloween themed project that my junior high students really enjoy. 

They start by drawing a detailed drawing of a haunted house on 12 x 18" drawing paper. They can look at Victorian architecture for inspiration. Encourage them to include lots of details and accessories such as fences, staircases, pathways, turrets, trees, window details, etc. 

Once the drawing is finished, they coat the back with a dark pencil.

They choose a colour of 12 x 19" construction paper, and, using yellow or white construction paper, they glue down a large circle for a full moon. Then they tape their drawing on top, and transfer it to the construction paper using a ball point pen. We call this the 'transfer technique". 

Now you have your drawing on the construction paper.

Using India ink (poured into empty yoghurt cups) and thin brushes, students paint the entire 

picture so it looks like a silhouette.

The have to be mindful to leave thin lines between details in order for them to show up. 

This project takes my kids about a month to finish- I see them once a week for 80 minute blocks.

Some finished Grade 7-9 artworks:

 

 

Wavy Waves Op Art

Here's a great lesson to add to your Substitute teacher binder!

I found this lesson on the Kids Artists website.

You simply need markers and photocopy paper.

These were completed by my Grade 6 students.  

Great for reinforcing careful colouring with markers as well as value.

 

Memory Wire Bracelets

Here's a beginner jewelry project if you've been wanting to dip your toe into a jewelry project with your class. I taught this to Grades 7,8 and 9 but I could easily do it with younger students.

I taught this with a fellow colleague who owns some memory wire bracelets. She ordered the wire on Amazon. It comes in two colours. 

I created kits out of lidded containers and put two mini pliers in each. 

This is where they stored their supplies, beads, each class. 

I ordered a variety of beads on Amazon and also bought some at Dollarama. 

Students cut off a length of wire, depending on how many 'wraps' they want around their wrist. Close off one end with the pliers and simply start stringing the beads on. Once finished, bend the end closed with the pliers. That's it!