4th Grade Silhouettes

Silhouettes. Something I have tried a few times always with mixed results. But I really like the idea behind it, the way the kids have to think about the out line shapes & negative spaces.

My 4th grades this year tried a different project from last years Navtive American project. (here) I saw a project using the good old coffee filter and markers that we all seem to do once in a while and loved the effect it gives. So we set out to draw a "western" scene with in a circle and cut out the negative space. This was not as easy as I thought it would be. *sigh* But we did it!

As you can see in the picture above we used white crayon to draw the line around the negative space and cut on it. A lot of kids accidently/on purpuse glued that side up. What I found out was a lot of them like to see that side because you could see the details. Hmmmm.

But I must say with all the struggles of cutting out the correct parts and gluing, they did turn out great. I am even trying to photograph them for a slide show I am adding to my school website. I added a kindergarted one already with lasts weeks post of their barns and tractors. Enjoy.

Peace,

Horse Ofcourse!

Yes that is what I had to say when someone asked what is suppose to be.
Second grade did a painting of a horse and barn etc. We always do practice drawings then go on to the finally project. It really gives the kids a chance to make goofs and retry as much as then need. Then on the next day, which luckily is the after tomorrow, we start the final project. I really like the fact that I see the kids twice as much in a year, but I use so many more lessons and supplies it made a big dent in me. I mean my stash. Anyway even if I only saw them once or twice a week I still took the time for some lessons to practice draw when we were learning.
This time I did have a couple of new kids that still had "I can't do it" excuses but I finally won them over to "I'll try it first" side. Here are the results of our hard work.

Some kids drew theirs on the left side I promise! Not all of them are right side. Hummmmm, wonder if they are all right or left handed ? I will have to check that out Monday.
Peace-

Cowboy/Cowgirl Bandannas

Pattern. First grade has been doing pattern lately in class and in art. Here are the many different designs they came up with just using an old marker lid for circles, a small piece of cardboard, and black and white paint.

Peace-

The Round Up Campfire

I saw this project on a Painted Paper blog. She has the most amazing painting results when she does painting with her students. I was planning on doing it pretty much like she had her students, but I walked in the second morning of the lesson and had an inspiration!

Last year the kids had a lot of fun with pastels and creating a variegated sky. So I thought I'd add a little to our backgrounds before we cut and glued the collages. Our painted paper was ready but could wait. I'm glad we did. It added a great little touch to our final product.
By the way I forgot to say these were 3rd graders.
Peace-

Profile Portraits

Wow did this take a lot of 30 minute class periods. But I really wanted to do this profile portrait with 4th grade.  I have done a profile portrait in an Egyptian theme but this time I tried it during our Western theme. I am so glad I did! 
Again as in the lower grades we looked at Fredrick Remington and Charles M  Russell as inspirations.

I first traced the profile of each 4th grader on large 18x24 paper. Then the next class I demonstrated how to draw a cowboy hat with a few different variations. We talked about why they wore a hat and how they could use it for other things. Pretty creative ideas there. Then I gave them time to draw and get it just right.

For the next class we added the facial features. Eyes, nose, mouth, ear and hair. Have I ever told you how much I hate to draw noses? Well I do- so I am honest with the kids and we don't sweat it because we'll get better the more we practice including Mrs. Zwahl.

In our third class we talked about the bandanna and how is was used and is now replaced by all sorts of things. It's amazing! Napkins, tissue, wash clothe, dish rag, towel, table cloth, bandages string or rope, and even more!
Then on our fourth class we broke out the crayons, or watercolor paints. Some kids did all paint, some did all crayon but most did a combination.
I am so proud of the 4th grade classes! They really stuck to it and did a great job! See what you think of all of their hard work.
Peace-

Go West David Brewer Pioneers!

Finally! I have been waiting for a few weeks to get pictures of finished artwork and get it posted! I am going to feature my first graders today.
I the fall I like to start with a theme to get me motivated and help the artwork at Parent/teacher conferences have a more cohesive look. And thanks to my "Ms. Debbie" for all the help hanging all of the projects! I couldn't keep things up and changing if I didn't have her help!
So our them has been GO West! Cowboys and Cowgirls and all things western. I have used Fredrick Remington, and Charles M. Russell as artist of inspiration. These Boot Are Made for Walkin'
Now this is first grade, and it is the begininning of the year so I let them use a boot pattern to trace. So if you don't approve the use of templates please forgive me. But imagine if you will, 22 first graders in a class. We talked about why cowboys wore boots, what the different kinds of heels are on boots and the fact that they match. A pair of boots. A matching pair of boots. I really thought I stressed that point but try as I might some still didn't make them matching. lol We traced out boots and made our designs and colored them all pretty. Then we had to decide where are boots were walkin'. Some were outside, in a barn, in the garden and who knows where.
Some kids added "stitches" in marker. And luckily most added legs with pants or a skirt for the cowgirls. I love the fact that I got boots in all kinds of crazy colors and patterns. They always make me smile.
Until next time-

Peace-