Goal Word Design using Marker Watercolour

This was my first lesson of the year with all my classes. It takes a while for our teacher schedules to settle down and finalize, so I like to have a straightforward but fun lesson to use with all my classes during the first slightly chaotic week.

I found this lesson from Molly McFee (@mcfeesartstudio) on Instagram. 

Not related to this lesson, but her collages are amazing!!

So students can to think of a goal word to summarize the upcoming year. They folded a piece of photocopy paper in half and drew it out in capital letters using a pencil. They trace over the lines using a king size Sharpie. 

Then they use water based markers and draw designs all around the word. Then, using a brush and water, they paint over the marker, creating a watercolour effect.

Some finished works from Grades 4 through 8

 

Popcorn Interpretive Drawing

This is a drawing lesson I found in the book: From Ordinary To Extraordinary: Art & Design Problem Solving by Ken Vieth. I like this assignment because it addresses both accurate drawing from observation as well as creative thinking. I did this project with a mixed Grade 10,11,12 class. It was challenging for them, but I think they learned a lot about drawing with this technique. It involves creating two drawings from looking at pieces of popcorn: one a realistic drawing from observation and the second involves transforming the popcorn into something else.

It also involves drawing opposite to what we are accustomed to- drawing with white on black paper.

See all the steps in my previous post HERE.

*I buy microwave popcorn from the dollar store for this project. 

For the observational drawing, students have to use white coloured pencil on black paper. For the interpretive side, they can use media of their choice, watercolour and coloured pencil being the most popular choices.

 

Patterned Animals in Chalk Pastel

This is a fantastic project for exploring chalk pastels in a somewhat controlled way. 

I previously called this lesson "Reptile Relief" because we always used reptiles as our animal theme. But, each time I teach this lesson, I have so many students ask me if they can do a bird, or a fish or basically any animal other than a reptile. So now I keep it open choice- it just needs to be any animal/creature that has a pattern on it's body. 

See my previous posts about this project HERE and HERE.

I found the original lesson HERE.

So students get two sheets on black construction paper. They research a patterned animal using their laptops. On one sheet of paper they draw a simplified pattern- it can match their animal or not. On the second sheet, they sketch out a somewhat simplified drawing of their chosen animal. Make sure it's nice and big. Paint over all the lines using white tempera paint and a flat brush.

Once dry, they colour in all the sections using a minimum of two colours of chalk pastels blended together. The animal can match the background colours- then it will appear somewhat camouflaged. 

Or, it can contrast and therefore pop out a bit. 

Once finished, clean up any major chalk smudges with an eraser. Cut out the animal.

Using stacks of small cardboard squares, glue a stack here and there on the back of the animal and then glue this onto the background. This will give a cool low-relief effect.

Some finished Grade 7 - 9 artworks!