More Abstract Expressionism: 3rd & 4th Grade

Three weeks ago I posted about the abstract expressionism pictures my 3rd graders were creating.  My 4th graders loved the examples on the board so much...they asked if they could do the project as well.  Since I wanted to give them a chance using our new tempera cakes....I agreed.  I LOVE WHAT THEY ARE CREATING!!  We looked at many examples of abstract expressionism....from many different artists.  I feel the variety is wonderful!  I left the images larger so you can see them better. I hope you enjoy them!!

Abstract Expressionism: 3rd Grade

I love doing Abstract Expressionism with my 3rd graders!  We look at a huge collection of images so they can see the many different approaches artists used within the movement.  I focus in on the shapes, colors, and movement of the work that help to convey emotion in a work.  

I allowed them to use a pencil to draw in some basic shapes/lines they wanted in their work, but encouraged them to create most of the work using their brushes.  They were nervous about this(we usually draw before painting), but they embraced the challenge and really seemed to enjoy this out of "our" box approach.  

After many years of thinking about it...I finally ordered tempera cakes.  This is the lesson we broke them in on!!!  I limited their palette to the primaries, white, and black.  I encouraged them to use the black last to do more expressive line work with it using their small brush.  

Here are some of the results!  Many of the students used the colors in their pure form and did not explore color mixing much.  

Abstracted Birds Completed

Today the students added the black into their work...and WOW...did it make a difference.  I had my  doubts about this project, but I'm loving it now!!  The kids really loved looking at the Inuit work, and connected to bold black lines they used in their work.  I first had students draw their designs before giving them their paint.  I provided extra fine brushes so they could do more detailed line work where needed.  I think the kids surprised themselves!! I can't wait to see how the rest of the week goes!!

Abstract Birds

So I'm working on a bird unit with 4th Grade....and I thought it would be interesting to create assemblage abstract birds with them.  The results had a very Native American/Thunderbird feel.  I loved it!!  Next week time we're going to paint them using analogous colors.

Picasso Me: Kindergarten

My kindergarten classes are great this year!  I decided I'd do some Picasso inspired self portraits with them this week.  We discussed Dora-Maar, and how she did not look "normal".  We talked about the different perspectives showed in the work..and the unusual color choices.  I was amazed by how many found the humor in making themselves "not normal".  In the past, my kindergarten students had a hard time grasping anything other than realism. This group is all in...and I'm excited to introduce them to some other abstracted works!!!  

Completed Radial Design Paintings: 2nd Grade

I love this project!!! 

On the first day they draw & begin blocking in color(we're using a fall theme for our paint choices).  On day two they are allowed to select two colors to finish off any white spaces...and are given black & a thin brush to outline.  There are many who have to "redefine" their shape/spaces with the black.  The end result though is almost always WONDERFUL!  

 Even when the first day painting doesn't seem to be going great...once they add the black

 lines it takes on a whole new life.  I find them so interesting! 

I feel this was two days well spent!

The Last of the Franz Marc Inspired Paintings: 3rd Grade

Here are the last images (this year) of Franz Marc project.  The kids really loved working on them.  It was one of the only large pictures we worked on all year. Since I only see some of my students once a week...and some once every other week.....it is important to keep the size of their art manageable for the time we have together.  This project took two class times, but it was worth it!