More Monarch Butterflies!

The third graders recently completed their study of the migration patterns of the Monarch Butterflies!  We learned that each year in the fall, the Monarch Butterflies migrate to high altitude areas of central Mexico.  Their journey is about 3000 miles long and they can not fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.  They feed almost exclusively on milkweed.  After the 3rd grade students examined images of the Monarchs, they began to draw their own.  They took great care to include all of the details and veining in the wings.  The next step was to draw a habitat around the butterfly, and then to apply color.  We used oil pastel for the butterflies, and water color paint for the rest of the image.  This project is on display in the lobby of the school!

Kindergarten One-Line Abstract Drawings!

The Kindergarten students began the school year by learning all about line types.  They have completed many projects on the subject of line including these one-line abstract drawings.  Each student was asked to create a picture using one very, very long line.  They discovered that when they looped their lines around the page they could create shapes that could then be colored!  We discussed the difference between realistic and abstract art.  All of them are unique and interesting!

First Grade Self Portraits!

The first graders started off the school year by creating self-portraits.  They examined their faces in the mirror and learned techniques to help them get the proportions corrects when drawing a portrait.  So many of them look like the students themselves and they are all very expressive!  The last step was the color application, and each child was able to choose between crayon and oil pastel.  These images are located in the school near the entrance to the kindergarten pod.

Earth Day!

I am so exited about our Earth Day project!  The Environmental Club created this mosaic out off recycled bottle caps to show at the Community Earth Day celebration.  We could not have created this piece without all of your generous bottle cap donations, and I really appreciate you sending them in for us to use!  We have many left over that I am excited to use for future art projects.  Next week this mosaic can be viewed in the school lobby.

Abstract Images!

The fifth grade students completed these abstract images that were inspired by a pair of scissors.  They began the project by creating random overlapping shapes using their scissors.  The next step was to use a view finder to frame a section of their random shapes.  Using enlarging techniques, the students transferred their framed section to a larger piece of paper.  The fifth graders were required to use an analogous color scheme that included five different hues.  This project was such a success and they can be viewed in the school lobby!

One Point Perspective!

The fourth grade students just completed their one point perspective drawings.  Each child created an exterior landscape that they drew using a horizon line, vanishing point and construction lines.  While this was a difficult skill to learn, the students really forged through their fears and frustrations to create these amazing perspective drawings.  Color was added using oil pastel and watercolor paint.  These can be viewed in the school lobby.

Monarch Butterflies!

I was so impressed by these Monarch butterflies that were created by the third graders!  We studied the migration habits of the Monarchs and chose to draw them in their habitats.  Each child applied color to their images by first using oil pastel for the butterfly and then they painted the background.  This allowed the butterflies to really stand out against the background.  The students took great care to add detail to make their images look realistic!