DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Group Mural Enlargements]

 

Each student was given a 2x2 inch square that featured a small portion of a popular work of Art History. Using a grid, each square was enlarged to a wopping 12x12 inch square and then meticulously replecated and enlarged the small square paying close attention to the proportions. What started as something small and abstract was then pieced together with the square from the rest of the class, and TADA! the work of each individual student combined to create a gigantic work of art!

 

7th Grade:

M.C. Escher - "Fish and Boats"

Picasso - "The Three Musicians"

Georgia O'Keeffee - "Ram's Head White Hollyhock and Little Hills"

 

8th Grade:

Hokusai - "The Wave"

Seurat - "Sunday Afternoon"

Gustav Klimt - "Tree of Life"

 

**Photos of murals to follow**

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Tint & Shade Mehndi Hand Designs]

 

Learning how to properly mix paint can be tricky, and discovering how to make a color dark and light can be even more complicated. To explore the concept of making tints and shades, students created a painted value scale around a drawing of their hand to create a vibrating ripple effect. They then filled their hands with patterns and repeating designs that were inspired by the Indian art of Mehndi Hand Designs.

 

**photos of designs to follow**

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Clay Balloon Creatures!]

7th graders walk into the art room the various clay and sculpture backgrounds. This project allows students to explore many clay processes while creating a unique creature of their designing.

 

The design process was critical for this clay sculpture. Each student designed at least 4 unique creatures. I enouraged hybrid animals, wacky creatures, and anthropomorphic creatures. After finalizing their final design each student started by making a pinch pot balloon as the base of their creature, and then built the features onto the balloon. A hole was hidden somewhere in the design so the balloon creatures didn't explode in the kiln, and glaze enhanced the crazy designs!

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Abstract Name Designs]

"What's the deal with abstract art anyway? It doesn't look like anything!" This is a common quote heard many times in art room around the world. For this assignment, students discovered how abstract art is often has a personal secret meaning that only the artist knows and fully understands. 

 

Each student started the project by drawing a bold and page-filling design of their name. Each name was then divided into 16 squares, and cut apart. The name instantly became 16 tiny abstract designs featuring positive and negative space. Students then worked to reorganize their name to create an abstract composition focusing on positive and negative. The final designs were painted, and look quite fabulous!

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Multi-Media Still Life]
Students practiced drawing from real life, and recreated a small still life set up in the classroom. THey then cut their finished pencil drawing into 4 pieces. Students then rendered, or added color and value, to each section differently. They used pencils, oil pastels, watercolor paint and collage to create 3-Dimensionality and a sense of realism in their artwork.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Multi-Coil Coil Pots]
Students used the coil method of clay building to create a container of their choosing. Some student made urns, others made coffee mugs, jewelry boxes, or bowls. Each piece turned out beautifully, and was glazed to seal up the cracks, and add a beautiful, shiny glass finish!

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

[Japanese Notan Designs]
Inspired by the artwork from Japan, students created a Notan Design by exploding a square in multiple directions to create positive and negative shapes. The finished designs have high contrast and are very eye catching. Some even include hidden scenes!

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.