Modigliani Inspired Portraits

5th grade students studied Amedeo Clemente Modigliani, a Jewish, Italian artist who worked mainly in France.  He became known for his paintings and sculptures that were created in a very modern style.  The students noticed the elongated form of the portraits that he painted.  Many of the fifth graders commented that the eyes in some of the portraits were blank, which made them seem anonymous.  They also noticed that the portraits with complete eyes depicted the people looking directly at the viewer in a very serious way.  We discussed the style of clothing shown in the portraits and concluded that it was consistent with the time period.  The fifth graders then created their own Modigliani inspired portraits.  Each one is distinctly unique and displays lots of personality!  These images can be viewed in the school lobby.

A Value Study

The 3rd and 4th grade students created value studies and value sketches.  We began by discussing the definition of value as it applies to art.  Each person created their own value study using sketching pencils so that they could get a feel for how much pressure to use on their pencils to get light, medium and dark values.  After this concept was mastered, each student observed the styrofoam ball under a light source.  We noted the different parts of the value sketch including the object, the highlight, the reflected light, and the cast shadow.  The children sketched the ball, and added light, medium and dark values where appropriate.  When the value sketches were complete, the students broke into small groups and engaged in a freeze tag tableau that demonstrated their understanding of the parts of a value sketch.  Everyone did an impressive job on their beautiful sketches, and each one shows their understanding of value.  These are on display on the upper level at the top of the staircase.

Winter Trees!

The 2nd grade students began this project by observing the shape of winter trees.  They noticed that when the leaves are gone you can clearly see the shape and form of each branch.  We practiced drawing trees paying close attention to the organic shape of the branches.  The next step was to darken the tree with oil pastel.  We then applied color with watercolor paint.  By surrounding the branches with a light

wash of color, the tree and its branches really stand out, revealing their graceful beauty.  I was so impressed with their work!  You will find these on display in the school lobby.

All About Composition!

1st graders ended the month of December by creating snowmen that focused on the concept of composition.  We discussed how you can change the composition of an image by framing it in a different way.  The students said that they had experienced this from looking through a camera.  When creating their snowmen, some of the children "zoomed in" on them while other students chose to "zoom out."
All of the snowmen have vibrant personalities!  These are on view on the lower level of the school right as you enter the kindergarten pod.

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!