Tulip Observational Drawings

It is officially Spring, but, where I live, it snowed last night, lol.

Nonetheless, time to start all the spring themed projects to brighten our mood after a long winter.

This is a simple observational drawing lesson where students experimented with different drawing media while drawing an artificial tulip from direct observation.

I demonstrated the qualities of each media. I offered students: felt tip black marker, vine charcoal, charcoal pencils, compressed charcoal and conté.

Marker was, by far, the most popular choice. My students hate getting messy!

Students chose a tulip and then drew it onto long strips of newsprint I had pre-cut. 

I wanted the drawings life size. 

A simple but effective drawing exercise. These were all done by beginner students in Grade 8.

 

Dutch Tulip Fields: One Point Perspective

 

Here is a one point perspective lesson that I teach to Grade 4/5 students. 

I've also adapted it to older grades.

This is a lovely Spring project I found on the wonderful Dutch blog "Kids Artists" run by Jacquelien:

http://kidsartists.blogspot.com/2009/11/dutch-flower-bulb-fields.html

I like any perspective lessons that aren't streets or city scenes as I don't like using rulers, lol.

I posted this lesson previously HERE so you can see all the steps.

I use the marker watercolour technique, but you could also use markers or colored pencils.

We use regular watercolours for the sky.

Dandelion Spring art project

This is a cute dandelion project that I've seen floating all over the internet. I used the lesson found on the Pacon website HERE. I didn't do the rubber cement step because, well, rubber cement!! 

So, our dandelions might not show up as well. 

These were done by Grade 4 students and was a quick 2 class project. 

Finished Grade 4 artworks!

 

Flowers in a Vase Watercolor Painting

This is a classic still life painting lesson that was co-taught by one of my practicum students. 

Her background is not in art, so I suggested this project as it's fairly simple but allows for a lot of creativity for the students. This was taught to a mixed class of Grade 4 - 6 students. 

I found the inspiration from the wonderful Deep Space Sparkle website  HERE and HERE. 

Here is my quick demo showing how to draw a vase/vessel and then a variety of flowers- we also encouraged spring flowers such as tulips and daffodils.

Student drew their good copy on 12 x 18" heavy white paper. 

While the kids were drawing, I kept myself busy with one of my LEAST favourite art room tasks- refilling the liquid watercolours. I saw this sauce cup idea on a blog years ago, but I don't know, I think I need to re-think it. I feel like the paints evaporate so fast. I refill them, then a month later, the containers (with lids) are dried up. Don't get me started on how fast the yellow gets contaminated. 

Anyhoozle, once the kids are finished drawing, they outline everything with sharpie or black wax crayon (everyone chose sharpie). 

Some early starters used the regular pan watercolours, but we switched later to liquid watercolours. 

I gave an brief review and demonstration on how to use these. 

Some finished artworks!