Organic and Geometric Overlapping Shapes

This week first and second graders studied geometric and organic shapes.  We used tools to create a series of these shapes that overlapped one another.  Each student was responsible for the vocabulary (organic, geometric and overlap).  After the shapes were created, the students outlined them with oil pastel and then filled in them in with watercolor paint.  They were required to choose a different color where the shapes overlapped.  We finished off the projects by doing a CETA activity in which the students were broken into groups and asked to make geometric or organic shapes using their bodies.

Still Life Pumpkins!

The fourth graders spent the week studying the shape, form and texture of actual pumpkins.  They drew

their pumpkins onto watercolor paper and traced them with permanent marker.  Using a double loaded brush technique, each student painted their pumpkins.  Oil pastels were used to color the table.  After the color application portion of the project was complete, each student used pencil or crayon to create a cast shadow.  I was very impressed with their work!

Frida Kahlo

The third and fifth grade students just completed their Frida Kahlo Portraits!  We have been working on them for several weeks.  This project was a little more complicated because we wanted to make sure the images were as fascinating as her life.  The students were interested to learn all about her, and they were very impressed with the fact that she always lived life to the fullest in spite of the tragic things that happened to her.  They thought the paintings she created were sometimes strange, but they understood that she used art as a way deal with the pain in her life.  Frida was a work of art herself with the way that she decorated herself in colorful clothing and accessories, and these images portray her that way!

Kindergarten Line Paintings

In the Kindergarten art classes we are continuing our study of line!  Each student created many different line types including straight, curly, wavy and zig zag.  The lines were applied with oil pastel and then each child painted around the lines with various paint colors.  I was so impressed with how focused the Kindergarten classes were while doing this project!