First grade rainbow fish illustrators

1st grade artists are learning about the differences between illustrators and authors, specifically in the "Rainbow Fish" series. We zoomed up on our fish so much that we don't even see the entire fish! We also talked about space and overlapping so that some weeds, sand and bubbles are in front or behind each other. We used pattern in our rainbow scales!

Learning Goals:

I can describe the difference between an illustrator and author.

I can create pattern with fish scales

I can show space using overlapping

Second grade Henry Rousseau jungle animals

2nd grade artists have been learning about the life and work of the artist Henri Matisse. He loved the jungle, even though he was never able to visit one in his lifetime, and drew many jungle animals. We drew animals like giraffes, lions, tigers, birds etc. and used blending in our painting techniques, showed we understood the art element of space by overlapping our leaves and animals, and also chose different values of leaves to create variety in our artworks. 

Learning Goals: 

*I can talk about the life and art of Henri Rousseau

* I can use overlapping in my leaves to show space

* I can use blending techniques to create color and value on my animal

Third Grade Mini Mona Lisas

Third grade artists are studying the life and art of Leonardo Da Vinci. They are learning about one of the most famous and widely recognized portraits in the whole world... the MONA LISA! We even learned that she was so popular that she was even stolen at one point! We read the book, "Who Stole the Mona Lisa?" and learned a bit more about her history. 

After reading, we practiced drawing her portrait (and landscape background) for ourselves! We practiced various coloring techniques with colored pencils such as: blending, layering and mixing. We practiced some calligraphy when writing her name for our projects. After assembling our mini-Monas in old silver Premier jewelry boxes, early finishers were able to do an Art Challenge: We challenged them to complete a portrait on a photocopy that included only Mona's face and hands. They used their imaginations to think up a setting, fashion, and theme for their version of the Mona. 

Learning Goals: 
I can talk about and write down 6 facts about the life and art of Leonardo Da Vinci.
I can draw a portrait like Mona Lisa.
I can draw a landscapes that shows space (things get smaller as they are further away).
I can use various coloring techniques in my art.
I can do some calligraphy with Mona Lisa's name

2nd Grade Landscapes

2nd grade artists reviewed the art genre of landscapes.  We discussed how artists show the art element  of space in many different ways including: overlapping, height on a page, how visually clear something is etc.  We also learned the vocabulary for where something is located in the space of an artwork: Foreground, Middleground, and Background. 

We painted a warm and cool colored paper. We drew trees on one and showed our understanding of space by glueing them to our background. Next, we painted the show and trunks, then used hole punchers to add snow falling, and used a little glitter glue to draw the wind!

1st Grade: James Rizzi Buildings

Learning Goals:

Students can recognize the art of James Rizzi

Students can paint my buildings in Rainbow Order

Students can create Rizzi inspired buildings with silly faces and shapes

Students can show space by using overlapping with my buildings

Students can recognize the art genre of architecture

2nd Grade Rousseau Jungle Collages

2nd Grade Rousseau Jungle Collages

Last week, the 2nd graders finished their jungle collages! Their artwork was inspired by the artist Henri Rousseau who loved painting jungle scenes from his imagination. We read a book about Rousseau and learned about his life and the history of his art work. During this project, we started off each every class by filling in the definition of collage on the board: "Using many art materials to create one piece of art!" The second graders were masters of collage by the end of this project as they practiced drawing, coloring, painting, cutting, and glueing to make their masterpieces!

Marisol hard at work!

4th Grade Landscapes

4th grade artists are studying various genres in art such as portraits, still life, landscapes, etc.  After looking at some landscapes, we reviewed foreground, middle ground, and background. We traced our lines with varying thicknesses, made sure to use pattern, think about size and space, use value and blending, and show emphasis somewhere in our artworks with our color schemes.

5th Grade Mexican cacti!

5th graders thought about the vocab word genre and considered the multiple genres that are used in art history. We created out own still lifes with real cacti and drew them making sure to think about the art element of space and overlapping!  We utilized our blending skills and our talents with pattern and balance when designing our patterned pots. 

3rd Grade Fall Landscapes

3rd grade artists are studying the art genre of landscapes! They noticed how artists use the art element of SPACE by creating a foreground, middle ground, and backgrounds. Artists show where somehting is in space by using overlapping, the size of things, and how high up on the page each item it to show where each item sits. We created our own fall landscapes with foreground, middleground, and background and blended the paint colors for our backgrounds. We then added some collage papers for the trees in our landscapes.

Looking forward to another FANTASTIC year in the art room!

Each year, we try to start off the school year with a collaborative mural that focuses on a positive theme  or goal for us all. The art lesson is merely a review of the art elements to get our memories flowing and our creative juices pumping. This year, we will be tracing our arms and hands and putting them on a mural in a way that shows each of us "reaching for the stars!" The designs in each hand will be a review of pattern, line, shape, color, form, texture, space and value.