Grade 6 students finally finished their sunflowers last week. This is a fun and relatively easy project that all students can find success with. I find most 'glue lines on black paper' projects are great for all levels and abilities of students. Chalk pastels are very forgiving and easy to work with, so I tend to start out with these types of projects at the beginning of the year to help build my students' confidence in Art.
I out some real and fake sunflowers on display for students to look at. I wanted them to really see what an actual sunflower really looks like, as opposed to what they think a sunflower looks like (ie: a circle with triangles all the way around). We looked at the various sunflower paintings created by Van Gogh and discussed what makes them unique. We discussed his color sense and how his 'trademark' colors of blues and yellows were inspired by his time living in Provence.
Using a white or light colored pencil, students drew their sunflower on large black paper. I encouraged them to draw large and fill the page, even going off the page.
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| my sample drawing |
Then, using Elmers clear glue (my favorite type of glue for these projects as it dries black and shiny), slowly trace all over the pencil lines. You can also use regular white glue.
Let these dry on a flat surface overnight.
The glue will end up drying flat, not really a raised line like you'll get with the thicker white glue.
Then color the sunflowers using chalk pastels. I demonstrated to the kids how to use white, as well as darker shades of oranges and browns, to create shading and more realistic looking petals.
Save at least 5 minutes time at the end of class for clean-up because chalk pastels are messssssyyyy!!
9 comments:
I LOVE the sunflowers! We have always done Georgia O'Keeffe-ish withe glue/pastels technique, but love yours! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful
Krásne
You said it will dry flat but yours didn’t dry flat. Is there something you did so it would be raised?
Ours definitely dried flat :) If you want a raised line, use white glue, which is thicker.
Wondering if you have a technique for finishing the chalk to keep it in place? Way back when I was little, we used to spray hair spray - but I'm wondering if there's a better way that's effective but friendlier to the environment and to the paper / chalk?
Anonymous: I've never found a spray that worked. Hairspray definitely doesn't work for me. I usually end up laminating all my chalk pastel projects to be honest. Take time and all that but worth it :) I have a large roll laminator at my school that I use.
Wow these turned out BEAUTIFULLY!! My fav flower of all time is the amazing Sunflower! These kids did a wonderful job!! I'd hang every single one of them in a framed gallery (like you did) to keep forever! I'd be happy to even buy them I'm that impressed with the details! Keep up the great work and let them know how great they did!! It makes me proud to see art developing in our kids today!! If parents aren't careful many will lose this talent due to technology. Thanks for all you do as a Teacher!!!
Blessings,
Erica
I have heard Modge Podge (you can purchase at dollar store or Michaels crafts) can seal the art.
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