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.  

Tempera Talk On A Snow Day

After being out of school for a week because of snow/ice....I HAD TO GET BACK IN MY CLASSROOM!  I'm not sure if any of you are like me, but I love a schedule, love teaching art, love my classroom, and love being prepared.  My wife(knowing all this about me) encouraged me to come in today and get some things done.  So here is the video I made about tempera paint & how I'm managing the materials!!  Wasn't on my to-do list.....but you all are worth it! 

Would love to hear your management tips & tricks for tempera & painting in general!  

Kindergarten Meets Kandinsky

We kicked off the class with a YouTube Video.   If you have not discovered Art With Mati & Dada.....GO CHECK IT OUT NOW!!!  They are short yet informative!  Make sure you preview first..there may be a couple that you might not feel comfortable showing your students.  The Kandinsky video is great!!  

We then looked at several works by Kandinsky, and I allowed my kindergarten students to make observations about what they saw.  (The little ones are so amazing in their responses!!!)

After I reviewed painting "rules/procedures", I started playing some instrumental music....passed out supplies...and let the students begin.  It was a magical time in the art room.  

HERE IS A VIDEO OF A STUDENT WORKING

HERE ARE SOME WORKS IN PROGRESS

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Inspired

This project is in progress.  I read the 4th graders The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The first week the reimagined the troll that lived under the bridge.  I have them red, yellow, blue, black, and white tempera, and they had to mix all of their colors.  I loved all the different ideas they came up with.  The following week we looked at a variety of bridges, and discussed what would be the most appropriate for a troll to live under, and what type of landscape/setting that bridge would be found in.  

I think we have at least one more day to wrap them up!!!  I HOPE! ha ha 

FALL LEAVES: 2nd Grade

I love fall...and I love fall art!!!  My second graders created these amazing fall inspired, tint focused 12x18 paintings!!  They loved working large & with paint (who doesn't love painting?!!?).  We reviewed different types of leaves & I allowed them to select the one they felt they would be most successful with.  After drawing their leave with pencil..they outlined with black tempera.  I then did a demo on tints (and we discussed shades as well).  This gave students the needed information & gave the black paint time to dry.  I then allowed theme to select on color to tint.  As you can see...they were successful!  The hallway looks AMAZING!!!!!

The Dots: WINTER

I loved this project so much at the beginning of the year...that I could not just throw it away.  It has been given new life with the passing seasons!  For winter...it is hats  & mittens! The faculty/ staff  & students have loved seeing the transformations

      

      

I'll include the previous incarnations below....

THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

(FIRST WEEK PROJECT K-4)

HERE IS WHAT IT TURNED INTO FOR FALL!

Day2 of Painting the 1st Day of Art!

So this was Day2's offering!  Day two went well...and my Kindergarten students did an AMAZING job on their section.  I was totally impressed.  However, as I was finishing assembling this...I was in the midst of Day3.  Day3 did not go as smooth.  Larger class sizes(we have two 2nd grade classes that have 27 students..that is a lot for us..but I know is nothing for some of you all), EL students that did not understand all my directions, and some not so great combinations of students.  I always want to be honest with ya'll...everything isn't roses and sunshine in Mr. E's world all the time!! ha ha  It was a challenging day, but I'm still enjoying painting with all my students the first day of art!!  Two days left to go till I've seen all my students!! Stay tuned!!

First Day Project: PAINTING

Yep!  I'm officially crazy!!!! ha ha

A few years ago I went to my first NAEA conference(Fort Worth).  I met amazing educators that were passionate about teaching visual arts.  I loved talking "shop" with people that loved their job as much as me!!  One of the topics we talked about was first day practices.  I had always started the school year with seats, rules, and a self portrait.  It seemed "SAFE" & a way to "EASE" back into things.  There is total validity to that practice..and no one should feel otherwise if it works for them!!!  You spend time with other passionate art educators & you will quickly realize that there are a million "GOOD" ways to do things.  There is not a one size fits all...and no one should feel bad about doing things differently.  However, I feel it is our obligation to consider what we do and see if it is the "BEST" way of doing things.  This allows us to grow.  

ANYWAYS...LET ME GET TO THE FIRST DAY PROJECT!!!

So this year I decided I was going to paint with my students on the first day.  I knew I had to get students seats assigned, go over some key rules....and then try to fit in the painting.  This means I had to have things ready to go.  Paint already served up(limited color palette...varying it a little each class so I can get the super cool gradation) & brushes ready to go.   I gave the students a 9x12 piece of 90lbs paper.  They were required to draw as big of a circle as possible.  They then had to draw a design based on circles/dots on the inside of their larger circle.  1st grade mostly looked like chocolate chip cookies,  but they had a blast creating.  2nd - 4th really seemed to "get it" and do a great job. I discussed Principles of Design with them(quickly) & showed them some examples. Now Monday I'll have Kindergarten for the first time(they go half days the first week...and do not come to special areas).  I will precut their circles and probably use BIGGIE WATERCOLOR sets with them(covering two of the four colors to limit their palette).  I cut them out after they dried and had older students help me with the black outlines(using tempera).  The whole process is very busy...very fast...furious..... AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!

If you are wondering...yes...I'm going to connect this to THE DOT.  My plan is to switch the colors each day till I have a rainbow of awesomeness!!!  I'll display this in the hall...connecting the sections on the wall...each section being a day's worth of circles(I'm afraid it will be too heavy if I connect all 550 circles together before hand).  

I'll review & reinforce classroom rules and procedures when they return to art(I know some of you really want to make sure your kids get it...and I do too!!  I just loved the idea of capturing their attention in a new way on the very first day of art!!!)

Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions...hope this helped for those of you who were asking on Facebook!!  

Very Mixed Media Bugs: 4th Grade

MIXED MEDIA

Tempera Paint, Collage, Sharpie, Watercolor Pencil, Glitter Glue

DAY1:  Tempera Paint Background - We discussed color: primary, secondary, analogous, tints.  

Students selected 2 colors they wished to use & created an over all patter in tempera paint.

DAY2:  Collage bugs using pattern paper & outlined in Sharpie.  

DAY3:  Complete bugs/Sharpie, draw spider web using watercolor pencils, and glitter glue accents in the same color as their paint.  

This didn't turn out exactly like how I had pictured it in my mind, but the kids really did enjoy it.  I was thinking it would be a bit more sophisticated & less cartoonish.  Oh well, they are still bright & attractive..and will look great in the art show!