The Art Studio is Up and Running!

Balance

Greetings Everyone! Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! Art class started just over 3 weeks ago and we are up to all sorts of things!

All the classes have reviewed what the Agreement System looks like in art class. We discussed things like what participation means in the studio and how we can create a safe space.

K-3 is coming to the end of the Original Works project. They create a drawing that families can order on things like mugs, aprons, etc. Students are encouraged to use bright colors and create something that will be fun for them to draw. The procedure we used this year is to sketch with pencil first, trace the pencil lines with Sharpie marker, color the rest of the piece with colored pencil, and brush with watercolor paints (optional).  The order forms will be going home in the first couple weeks of October. Keep an eye on the Wednesday Word for updates.

4/5 has been revisiting procedures for taking out and putting away art supplies. They have been decorating their sketchbooks, drawing in their sketchbooks, creating artist trading cards (to trade with each other), and painting.

6^thgrade is starting a project using the “Big Idea” concept of Time. They are brainstorming ideas, creating thumbnail sketches and starting final pieces. These works will be black and white (charcoal, sharpie, graphite pencil).

7^thgrade is about to start their first project “Artists Observe” which is one of the Studio Habits of Mind that we discuss in the art room. I don’t want to say too much yet, because they won’t start until after farm school.

8^thgrade is starting a project called “Artists Express Big Ideas”. We talked about what big ideas are, subjects that can be explored and expressed in a great many ways. After several brainstorming activities the students will choose a big idea to express in dry drawing media and collage.

Art Club has started! 4-8^thgrade students are invited to come to the art studio to eat lunch and make art every Tuesday. The month of September is open for the children to come and check it out. In October they will decide if they want to join.

The Original Works project is optional for 4-8th grade. It should mostly be completed on their own time because we have other projects happening in their classes right now. If an upstairs student wants to participate, their art needs to be back to me my September 30th.

In other news, I have been creating YouTube tutorials for a flipped classroom approach. The goal is to have a place for art instruction that can be accessed outside of school and not take up too much class time with demos of things they may have learned in previous years. I’m not looking to be the next internet sensation (LOL) but provide resources that the students can come back to as needed. I will share the videos in PowerSchool as they apply to middle school projects. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUeFcSuiGxMpm8yg0LCtozQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

Happy Creating!

Pam

Middle School Drawing

The first quarter of middle school art was filled with drawing!

The students started by creating a list of their interests and inspirations in their sketchbook. The list is a reference for when they experience artist’s block (it happens to everyone at some point).

Students also had time to explore a variety of drawing materials around the studio. They experimented with black and white charcoal, graphite, sharpie, and pen.

The first project of the year was based on an open-ended theme assigned to each class.

6^thGrade: “Boundaries”

7^thGrade: “Place”

8^thGrade: “What’s the Point?”

In a small group they brainstormed and recorded their ideas. Each group shared their favorite ideas with the class. Since young art students tend to want to work with the first idea that comes to mind, the students were asked to choose three ideas that were interesting.  They drew multiple thumbnail sketches of each to stretch their ideas. Next they chose one idea to focus on.

To keep this first project simple, the children were limited to using only graphite, charcoal, or black sharpie for their project. The drawings did not contain any color. They had a variety of sizes of paper to work with in white, black and gray.

After completing their work, each artist wrote a statement about their work and posted the drawing to their SeeSaw Digital Portfolio.

I am so impressed by their creative responses to the prompt. I’m posting a few examples from each grade here. Hopefully some of these interesting pieces will be in our annual art show.

6th Grade “Boundaries”

“A Walnut” by Naima, 18 x 12″, charcoal on paper

“Island” by Victor, 12 x 6″, Sharpie and charcoal on paper

Untitled by Naomi, 12 x 9″, Sharpie and charcoal on paper

“Atmosphere” by Solomon, 12 x 6″, Sharpie and charcoal

“Firewall Reached” by Sebastian, 12 x 12″, graphite on paper

“Stuck in Bullies” by Miel, 6 x 9″, white charcoal and graphite on black paper

7th Grade: “Place”

“Isolation” by Elsa, 9 x 12″, graphite and charcoal on paper

“The Desert at Night” by Francis, 12 x 18″, charcoal on paper

“Thoughts” by Sarah, 12 x 9″, graphite on paper

“The Mysteries of Tatooine” by Jason, 12 x 6″, charcoal on paper

“McDonalds” by Pierce, 12 x 18″, graphite on paper

8th Grade “What’s the Point”

“Chin” by Julius, 9 x 12″, Sharpie on paper

“Sharpened” by Gemma, 12 x 12″ charcoal and graphite on paper

“Sword in the Stone” by Emiliano, 9 x 12″, charcoal and graphite on paper

“Inside” by Jared, 12 x 9″ graphite on paper

“Shadowy Mountains” by Ezra, 12 x 9″, graphite and charcoal on paper

“Here’s the Point” by Kate, 12 x 9″ white charcoal on black paper

Zentangles by 8th Grade

Zentangle by Anaya

Zentangle by Annabel

This was a drawing project focusing on pattern and design. I showed the students images of various Zentangles and gave them a practice packet. They experimented with patterns based on the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. In a Zentangle, the artist draws an outline shape, then fills the shape with “strings” (lines that divide the shape into parts), then fills each section with a “tangle” or pattern. Patterns may include, line, shape, color, value, or more. The “Zen” in Zentangle comes from quiet meditative experience of drawing repetitive patterns. The work on this post is in various stages of being finished and includes different interpretations of the assignment. Most students worked with pencil, colored pencil, Sharpie, or a combination of all three.

Zentangle by Benito

Zentangle by Sam

Zentangle by Anaya

One Point Perspective by the Eastenders and Skylights

One Point Perspective by Hannah

One Point Perspective by Pierce

One Point Perspective by Madeline

This project was started way back before we started working on the sets for the plays. Recently we had a couple periods to finish.

The children were introduced to the concept of one point perspective. I guided them in drawing boxes in their sketchbook using a vanishing point and horizon line with a ruler.

On another day, the main project was started. A vanishing point was placed in the center of their paper. They were guided in drawing a couple buildings then went to work on their own. After drawing all their buildings and details in pencil, the lines were traced in Sharpie marker and everything was colored in with colored pencil.

One Point Perspective by Joaquin

One Point Perspective by Sanders

One Point Perspective by Naima

Paper Maché Masks by 7th Grade

Paper Maché Mask by Elizabeth

Paper Maché Mask by Makai

For Day of the Dead, the 7th graders made paper maché masks. They started with a plastic face mold. The mold was covered with a piece of aluminum foil. The children added 3 layers of paper maché on top; newspaper, paper towel, and plain newsprint. A coat of white acrylic gesso was painted on top.

The students studied sugar skull mask designs for inspiration. They had the option to make the skull half living and half dead. The lines and shapes were drawn in pencil then painted with acrylic paint. Some children chose to use mostly Sharpie marker for their design. Glitter, sequins, feathers, and tissue paper were added for the final touches. They all came out so amazing, I had a really hard time just picking a couple to share on the blog.

Paper Maché Mask by Daniela

Paper Maché Mask by Charlie

Foil “Sugar” Skull by 6th Grade

Foil “Sugar” Skull by Tae’Aurie

Foil “Sugar” Skull by Diego

In celebration of Day of the Dead the children created foil calaveras! The 6th graders were guided in drawing a basic skull, then added a border, patterns and designs to their piece. A piece of thick aluminum foil was wrapped around a piece of cardboard. Their drawing was taped to the front of the foil board. The children traced their drawing with a pencil, deeply embossing the foil. After the drawing was removed, the lines were traced again to further deepen their design. The lines were then traced with black Sharpie marker, and the designs were colored in with other permanent markers. The students embellished their piece and emphasized parts with glitter, sequins, and acrylic paint. Finally, a stand was made out of cardboard and hot glued to the back so the work could sit up on a shelf. All the pieces are unique, colorful and a joy to look at!

Foil “Sugar” Skull by Kate

Foil “Sugar” Skull by Niko

Original Works Self Portraits by K-3 Students

Original Works Self Portrait by Pearl

Original Works Self Portrait by Isaac

Original Works Self Portrait by Sahra

This year’s Original Works project is a self portrait! On the first day of art class the Star Room, Rainbow Room, and Sun Room children practiced drawing a face. The next week they were guided in just drawing the head, neck, shoulders and ears. They chose or mixed a color of tempera paint that was close to their skin tone. The head was painted, then they drew a background and border. In the following art class they drew the face (using a mirror) and traced all their pencil lines using Sharpie marker. Finally, the entire picture was colored in with colored pencils. I love how diverse they are!

The order forms will be sent home soon and you can order your child’s self portrait on mugs, t-shirts, blank note cards and more. We will also be giving families the opportunity to create a piece at home to be sent to Original Works. This is wonderful if your 4th-8th grader wants to participate in the program as well.

Original Works Self Portrait by Zalli

Original Works Self Portrait by Malea

Original Works Self Portrait by Max

Amate Bark Painting by the Eastenders and Skylights

Amate Bark Painting by Avery

Amate Bark Painting by Stella

Amate Bark Painting by Nico

This was a study of Amate Bark Painting. The students began by looking a photos of the Otomi people of the village of San Pablito in Mexico. They watched a short video showing how the paper is made with the bark of ficus trees. The children then looked at examples of folk painting done on the paper by the crafts people of Xalita. Bark painting started in the 1950’s and the designs originated in pottery. Themes mostly include flora, fauna, and village scenes. FYI, there is an original Amate painting in the Sun Room!

Each student was given a brown paper square (cut from a shopping bag). It was crumpled repeatedly, then soaked with water and crumpled some more. The paper was laid flat to dry. On another day the children drew their designs in pencil and traced the lines with Sharpie marker. The drawing was painted with florescent acrylic paint so it would be bright and colorful. Some of the picture was left unpainted so the viewer could see the texture of their handmade “Amate” paper.

Amate Bark Painting by Greeny

Amate Bark Painting by Maddie

Amate Bark Painting by Francis

Islamic Inspired Stained Glass by 7th Grade

Islamic Stained Glass Study by Tomi

Islamic Stained Glass Study by Myles

This project is the follow up to the introduction to Islamic art in September!  The students used an on-line graphics app called Geocone  to create a geometric design with radial symmetry. The image was printed then traced and turned for repetition onto a transparency with black Sharpie marker. The design was colored with color Sharpies to create a vibrant pattern.

To create a façade for the glass, a shape was drawn on a folded black paper and then cut out. Using a white Prismacolor pencil, the students drew a design that reflected Islamic art values. Some students chose to cut additional designs with Exacto knives, allowing for more of the color to show through. When complete, the glass was taped to the façade. Including the introduction in September, this project took 7 weeks to complete! The finished pieces are now hanging on the windows in the big room!

Islamic Stained Glass Study by Ozzie

Islamic Stained Glass Study by Nabila

Original Works Animal Drawing K-3rd Grade

Original Works Animal Drawing by Bea

Original Works Animal Drawing by Catalina

Original Works Animal Drawing by Naima

This year the kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students are participating in Original Works. Original Works is a fundraising program for schools. The children create a work of art which is sent to Original Works. The company then reproduces the image on things like mugs, t-shirts, and tote bags. These make for fantastic holiday gifts and raise money for Synergy! For more information, check out their website at http://www.originalworks.com. This year’s theme for the project is “Animals”.

On the first day of art, the children reviewed the art room rules and procedures. They then drew an animal, background, and border in pencil. Students were encouraged to reference an animal book, picture file, and their memory to draw. In the next class the children traced their pencil lines in Sharpie marker. The third week the drawings were colored in with colored pencil. The children worked very hard. The work is colorful and fun!

The order forms should be sent home by the end of September so orders will be in by early December. The dates will follow when the orders are sent home.

Original Works Animal Drawing by Ivo

Original Works Animal Drawing by Marek

Original Works Animal Drawing by Ezra

Foil Sugar Skull by 6th Grade

Foil Skull by Jacqueline

Foil Skull by Myles

Foil Skull by Anabel

Foil Skull by Sam

This project was completed in celebration of the Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead. Students discussed Dia de los Muertos traditions and looked at designs on sugar skulls. They sketched a sugar skull on a sheet of newsprint drawing paper, glued together a couple pieces of cardboard as a base and covered it with heavy tin foil. The drawing was transferred to the foil by tracing the lines with a pencil and applying pressure. The drawing was removed and traced a second time. The foil was colored with Sharpie markers and embellished with glitter and white acrylic paint.