Kindergarten
The kindergarten students are very busy making different projects each class. We talked about foreshortening and how to draw something that is moving toward you. After tracing their hands, they drew their face, smaller behind to show the hands were closer to the viewer. They also discussed the difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and made 3-d amusement parks using construction paper strips. Most recently they looked at the work of Andy Warhol and his use of pattern. They traced their hand six times, colored each a different color and then placed a black handprint over the tracing.
1st Grade
The first grade has been working hard on all their projects. The students discussed how shadows are made by our bodies blocking light. They drew themselves first, and then cut themselves out with black paper behind to make their shadow identical to themselves. They glued the shadow on an angle and their own figure standing up. They also looked at the work of Jasper Johns and noticed how most of his works have numbers as the subject. They wrote out numbers on a large paper and choose bright colors to paint the numbers and background.
2nd Grade
The second graders finished working on their Henri Rousseau inspired jungle. They made sure all the leave, animal print, and background were colored. The recently finished up their shape quilt. Students choose a shape to draw large on their paper. They used straight lines to break up the shape as well as connecting the shape to the edge of the paper. They then drew x’s along each line to look like stitches and colored in each space with a different color.
3rd Grade
The third graders learned about the history of postage stamps and then were able to create their own. Each stamp had to have perforated edges, the country it was made in, the value, and an interesting subject matter. They have recently started on a drawing making 3-d worms. Students discussed how using curved lines can make parts of a drawing appear to pop out. After drawing all their worms they will color in the background.
4th Grade
The fourth graders worked for three class periods using little dots to complete their pointillism painting. They turned out great. They are currently working on different watercolor techniques to create a painting with subject matter of their choice. They are shown how to create a wash, how watercolors will bleed when painted on top of wet paper, and how to make colors more intense by using less water, or dull by using more water.
5th Grade
The fifth grade finished making their elements of art cube. Many finished with time to make smaller cubes to decorate any way they liked. They are currently working on creating their own caution signs. We looked at a variety of caution signs and noticed how important the image is in giving us instructions. Students were asked to make their own sign focusing mainly on the image using black construction paper for the figures, and yellow construction paper for the back of the sign.
6th Grade proportions of the body, sculpture
The sixth graders created their silhouette of a figure in an action pose while looking at proportions of the body. Students looked at a handout which gave guidelines for drawing a figure with proper proportions, many times heads are drawn too large or arms and legs aren’t drawn long enough. After the figure was drawn it was colored black and the background was filled in with bright colors. They are currently working on an animal sculpture using a wire armature as the skeleton and newspaper and foil to form the body. It will eventually be covered in paper mache and painted.
7th Grade
The seventh graders finished working on their patterned silhouettes. Once the pattern was complete they cut out the silhouette and glued it onto construction paper. Most recently they created hidden name aliens. With their paper folded they wrote their name so all letters were touching each other and the fold. They then cut out around the letters, opened the paper, and created an alien using the fun shape their name created.
8th Grade
The eighth graders have been spending the last few classes on their own graffiti tags. The will be using their first or last name for the tag. They drew out guidelines for each letter and then transformed it moving away from individual letters. They were to overlap, add connections, and elongate letters so the tag became a work of art by itself. Once the tag was complete it was given depth to appear three-dimensional and then colored with colored pencils.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at mbrazee@stcletusparish.com.
Art: May 21, 2010
Kindergarten
The kindergarten students used their creativity when working on hidden line drawings. Each student was given a paper with a line already drawn. They had to incorporate that line into their drawing so it almost completely disappeared. They also looked at the work of Wassily Kandinsky. Using construction paper scraps, they cut out shapes and glued them to create an interesting composition. They also drew crazy cacti using crayons for outlines and details, and filled them in with watercolors.
1st Grade
The first grade looked at hieroglyphics and created their own cartouche. A cartouche is an oval that encloses hieroglyphics which spell out a name. Most recently students created a non-objective artwork focusing only on line, shape, and color. Starting with a planned scribble, students filled each space made with different lines, shapes, and colors. Most recently students created an artwork inspired by the work of Alma Thomas. Students tore construction paper scraps into small pieces and glued them down to create a repeated shape of their choice.
2nd Grade
The second graders made their own Kente cloth weavings. Students cut slits in a large paper to create a base. They then used paper strips to weave under and over the base. Their weavings turned out great. They also looked at the illustrations of Eric Carle and created a collaged animal using construction paper scraps, newspaper, and tissue paper. They are currently looking closely at sea shells and drawing what they see.
3rd Grade
The third graders learned about the history of Faberge eggs. They were asked to draw their own idea for a Faberge egg. Each had to be unique and show the hidden prize that sat inside the egg. Most recently students learned about complimentary colors. Students choose a color for their background and then could only add its complimentary color. Using only those two colors creates a very vibrant reaction when looked at closely. Most recently students cut out large butterflies and used watercolors to paint them symmetrically.
4th Grade
The fourth graders learned how a little curve in a straight line and show the illusion of space. Students traced their arm and hand onto a large paper. They then added straight lines to the background and curved lines over the hand and arm. They finished by coloring to stress the illusion of space. They are currently working on a radial design using small folded triangle. These designs pop off the page to create an interesting play with light.
5th Grade
The fifth grade has been working hard on their watercolor school of fish project. Students drew a fish on tag board, cut out, and traced it to cover their paper. They added small details with pencil to help ensure all fish were similar. They finished by painting the school of fish with watercolors using different techniques, such as wet on wet, wet on dry, and a wash. They have just finished an oil pastel drawing of either a flower or night sky in Vincent Van Gogh’s style.
6th Grade
The sixth graders are almost finished with their animal sculptures. Students started with a wire armature to help form their animal. They stuffed it with newspaper and covered with foil to shape their animal. Next they paper mached to create a hard outer body to paint on. Each sculpture turned out very unique. Recently students created a scene using emphasis and having the most important parts popping out.
7th Grade
The seventh graders have been working hard on the plaques for eighth grade. They have spent the last few weeks looking through magazines and online finding the perfect images to fit the eighth graders personality and interests. The plaques have been painted and collaged. Most recently they created a small still life using markers, pencils, and scissors. They then draw what they see large to fill the page.
8th Grade
The eighth graders spent some time brainstorming ideas for decorating a rain barrel that will be displayed in downtown LaGrange. The Chicago skyline was decided and looks great wrapped around the barrel. Currently students are working on a plaster mask. The masks have been formed from plaster strips placed on molds. They are then painted and decorated with glitter, yarn, and ribbons.
Be sure to check out the St. Cletus artwork hung in the basement art gallery at the LaGrange Library. It will be on display until May 27th. If you have any questions feel free to email me at mbrazee@stcletusparish.com.