Autumnal Mushrooms Painting

This is an autumn inspired project I created based on a decorative throw pillow I saw at a furniture store. I often find inspo for projects while out shopping!

I started off by showing some images of these fly agaric mushrooms- they are the ones typically used in fairy tales. They are whimsical and cute but very toxic! We discussed the parts of a mushroom and their role in nature. 

I taught this to mixed  Grades 4-6 classes.

Students started by doing practice drawings of mushrooms.

Then, on wide brown paper, they sketched out their mushrooms. 

I encouraged a variety of sizes as well as some overlapping, for realism. 

In between the mushrooms, students added different types of fall foliage or berries.

Once everything was drawn out, students painted the stems using one pale colour of tempera paint.

Then, mixing a variety of warm, autumnal colours, students painted the mushroom caps. 

Let these dry.

Once dry, students outlined their filler details using paint pens.

They outlined the gills on the underside of the caps using a dark coloured pencil.

Then they used a charcoal pencil to outline the mushrooms, 

smudging the lines with their fingers for a soft, shaded effect.

For a final step, they added dots to their mushroom caps using white tempera.

Autumn is my favourite season and I also love seasonal themed art so I love how these turned out!

 

Witch Legs Collage

 

If you're allowed to teach Halloween themed lessons at your school (thank god I am) then this is a really fun and quirky project your students will love!

I *believe* the original source for this lesson, of which there are now many variations on Pinterest is HERE.

It really reinforces good craftsmanship skills.

You need: large heavy white paper, tempera paint, various coloured paper, glue, accessories such as sequins, glitter, black lace trim, etc.

See all the steps when I posted about this lesson previously HERE.

These were made by Grades 4-6 students.

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: