Workshops

Friday, October 19, 2012

Kindergarten - Spooky Black Cats

I LOVE this project sooooo much!  Kinder is always begging to paint the minute they walk in the door the first day of school.  I love the confidence of an all knowing Kindergartner! Picasso knew what he was talking about!
  It is always a risk to paint too early with brand new kinders.  If you teach kindergarten, you know what I mean!  :)   

I pre-draw the cat's circle head, a rainbow body and the line the cat is standing on.  We practice holding our paintbrushes "straight up towards the ceiling like a rocket", (hense the name "Paintbrush Rocket"), and paint the whole cat WITHOUT paint, practicing perfect paintbrush technique.  Then... I hold my breath and give them paint!  We first paint the fence line, then add another line underneath, dividing the space.  Then add vertical fence posts.  After everyone is caught up, we outline the circle and rainbow line.  Paint the head in solid... add some pointy ears... a SMALL belly... and a fuzzy tail.  They are so pleased with themselves when they are done!  The next week we add details with silver and black sharpie.  Seriously, one of my favorites and the kinders all feel like REAL artists when they are done! And I am a proud art teacher!

Additionally, I read any Splat the Cat book to the kids, it is a great motivation for the black cat!






























11 comments:

  1. These are awesome! The kinders did a great job! I know what you mean about not painting too soon with them! I made them wait a couple of classes until they got settled into the routine of the art room. They do always want to paint! They are by far my favorite group this school year! :)

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    1. Thanks! I love kinders too, but they can be like loose puppies. You never know if they are ready for a nap or if they are going to go wild! I have a great group this year too. :)

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  2. Very cool! Love simplifying it to a rainbow and a circle! I try to train my kiddos to always pull their brushes and never push them, but I'll have to give the rocketship technique a try! Great stuff you have going on here.

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    1. Thanks so much! Pull instead of push... perfect! I'll use that one too!

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  3. Hee hee hee! These cats have major cat-itude! I definitely want to try this next year. I am amazed you could achieve such great cat accuracy with Kindergarten. Meowvelous!

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    1. I love your comments! Cat-itude and Meowvelous! I am going to have to use them next time!

      I find it hard to slow down their excitement, but I start with asking them, "who wants to learn how to paint like a REAL artist?" They get sucked in. I talk about the paint brush being a special tool we have to take good care of. Talk about holding it up straight like a rocket and always pull the hairs, never push. I have them practice and walk around the WHOLE time, trying to slow down those speedy little boys. I have to say, this was a good bunch! There are a couple that look a little nuts! :)

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  4. I love this project. It is the perfect Halloween project as well. I love that you take the time to teach the proper brush strokes and how to paint a picture and not just a blob. A lot of art teachers would have just let them have at it.

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  8. Awesome! Painting is the important and necessary subject for kids in kindergarten. They can grow up their dreams and ideas.

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