Clay Textured Plaques

In Model Masters we explored Air dry clay, texture, painting, and beading--All in one project!  After sketching our landscape designs we began

Step 1: Students started with a ball of wedged air dry clay and made a slab  by flipping it over and flattening several times.  After the clay was about 1 inch thick, the clay was cut into a specific shape (square, circle, star). 

Step 2:  Clay tools were used to add relief--high and low areas--in the plaque.  Tools were also used to add different textures in the designs. 

Step 3:  Two holes were punched in the top of the plaque to allow it to hang. 

Step 4:  After allowing to dry completely, plaques were painted using vibrant acrylic paints. 

Step 5: Wire and glass beads were threaded through the top holes so the plaque could be displayed.

Mixed Media Scarecrows

In Sights and Sounds of the Seasons we created fabulous mixed media scarecrows to celebrate fall harvest. First, we discussed how scarecrows are used to prevent crows and other animals from eating a farmer's crop.  We also talked about how many families make (or buy) scarecrows as decorations during the Autumn season.  This project took two 1 hour classes, but make take longer depending on the student age and size of the watercolor paper.

Supplies include:

11"x 15" watercolor paper

Watercolors-pan or even better... liquid!

Craft Sticks

Patterned Paper and/or leftover painted paper

Construction paper

Raffia

Googly Eyes

Buttons

Sharpies

1: We began this project by using watercolors to paint a farm scene of crop fields and a blue sky.  Each hill was filled with bountiful fruit and vegetable crops. 

2. We also constructed a simple scarecrow "skeleton" using craft sticks and glue, which we would dress the following week. Use two sticks for the head and body, and then add arms and legs.

3. We continued this project the following week by focusing on giving our scarecrows clothing and a personality.  Students cut out pants, shirts, dresses, hats, patches, and faces using their skeleton as a template.  We use construction paper, patterned paper and some leftover painted papers.

4.   After our scarecrows were well dressed, we added googly eyes, raffia, and buttons.  Finally the scarecrows were glued onto their painted backgrounds.  Below are some of the fantastic results.

    Eddie                                        Cullen

     Beth                                               Karlee

                                              Seth

        Aidan                                        Adric

       Gaia                                       Chloe

            Levi                                     Maddie

            Megan                                   Meredith

 Miss Vanessa

More Examples of Previous Lessons!

Below are some more examples of our Warm and Cool Chalk Mountains.  You can see a detailed description of the art project here.

Abby

Lydia

Mary

Tarah

Jasmine

Shelly

Miss Cheri

Miss Vanessa

Students also "exercised their creativity" by completing these drawings.  You can view a detailed description of the lesson here.

                  Lydia

             Shelly

                  

             Abby

                    Josh

                     Ryley

 

                               Miss Cheri

Creative Color: Warm and Cool Chalk Landscapes

On the first day in Creative Color we explored the fundamentals of the color wheel, specifically warm and cool colors.  We learned to identify which colors were cool "ice" colors (blue, purple, green, turquoise) and which were warm "fire" colors (red, orange, yellow). 

We started by using a black oil pastel to draw mountains and hills on black construction paper.  We then drew concentric circles in the sky to create a moon or a sun.  Next, we decided if we'd like warm land and a cool sky, or the opposite--both yield fantastic results!  We used vibrant soft chalk pastels to thickly color each shape.  The bold colors really pop on the black paper.  Finally we retraced our black lines with oil pastels.

Thanks to Patty for sharing this lesson on her fabulous blog, Deep Space Sparkle . Be sure to check out her website, as it has many creative, colorful art projects to do at home!

Here are some finished results...enjoy!

Marlee

                 
 Roman                                                                    

                                                                              

Emily

                                   

Emmalee

                                                        

Erin

    Sydney

Miss Vanessa