Model Magic Seahorses

This was a project I managed to squeeze into the last week of school this past year. I realized I still had a classpack of Crayola Model Magic and wanted to use it up. So I came up with this seahorse project.

These were created by a mixed class of Grades 4-6. 

Everyone LOVED this project including the staff at my school. 

They started by drawing an underwater scene using pencils. 

Then they traced over everything with Sharpie.

They painted everything with watercolours. 

Some used a white wax crayons first to add wavy resist lines in the water.

Once dry, paint over the whole scene using liquid blue watercolours.

The next class, we watched a couple of tutorials on how to make a clay seahorse on Youtube. 

Then each student got a pack of model magic- they could mix and match with friends 

in order to get different colours. 

I had some toothpicks on hand to use a detail tools as well as googly eyes.

These all need to dry overnight- we place ours on wax paper, then they don't stick. 

The next day, I flip them over so they can dry evenly on the back as well. 

Some googly eyes fell off, so I just glued them on with a dot of white glue.

SO CUTE

Finally, students hot glued their dried seahorse onto the background. I had lots of model magic scraps leftover, so students could make small fish to add to their artwork. 

Work from Grade 4,5,6 students.

 

Artist profile: Crocheted Flowers by @knotted.2020

Today I wanted to share the fiber art of one of my former students @knotted.2020   

For years, she has crocheted many items, including blankets and cute pumpkins for the fall. I supervised a crochet class she taught at my school and sadly, I was the only student who couldn't figure it out, lol. Knitting and crochet has always been so hard for me, I don't know why!

Currently, she is making and selling gorgeous flowers and flower bouquets. 

These make the perfect gift as they last forever! I want to promote her small business as she was such a wonderful student; she was always a very kind, helpful and hard working.

I'm so happy that she is currently in university studying to be a teacher :)

Her Instagram is  @ knotted.2020   

She is located in Calgary, Alberta.

She sent me some progress photos to show how she creates a tulip.

(she could also have a career as a hand model, am I right?!)

Some of her finished bouquets:

  

She also crochets pumpkins and pine cones for the autumn season! 

 

Observational Plant Drawings

I have a lot of plants in my classroom. They have proven to be very useful over the years for a spontaneous art projects. One of my favourites, that require no prep, are observational drawings. 

With this group, Grade 7-9, we practiced first directly drawing them with black markers. Afterwards, they could choose their own media- most chose watercolour. 

Observational drawing is an excellent way to help students learn to draw what they see. It is difficult at firs but the best way, in my opinion, to strengthen one's drawing skills and build confidence.