3rd Grade - Laurel Burch inspired Suns & Moons

These are so happy! A very simple lesson... we looked at the art of Laurel Burch. She is most known for her cats, but she did some other subjects like suns & moons too. Students could decide which, sun, moon or a sun/moon combo. We worked in warms and cools. 

First step, we traced a 8" circle in the middle of a 18x18 piece of colored construction. We drew very little with pencil. The large eyes, long nose. Then depending on what type of ray... triangular or more soft, they drew one at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Then we got the paint out and outlines the pencil lines carefully, and added more rays and details. The second day, we started coloring. I recommended warm and cool colors, since we discussed all the color groups. But I always like to leave it up to them. It is always more creative looking. 

2nd Grade - Laurel Burch Fantastic Felines!

A real favorite of mine... Top 10 when it comes to results. My students have always done an amazing job with this lesson. After a BIG look and discussion about the beautiful designs, patterns and colors of Laurel Burch's Fantastic Felines... we get to it!

I teach 4 sections of each grade level. To stay organized and add variety to our show, I have two classes use warm color papers, the other two classes, cool colored paper. Students get to choose, from 4-5 colors. First, students are taught how to draw the sitting cat and laying cat with just chalk on the board. They choose the one they want to paint...

and then we get started...

It seems scary to paint direct, with no pencil drawing first, but I prefer to. The only thing students draw with pencil is the head. I have them trace a 6" circle in the top corner of the paper first. It establishes scale. We start with outlining the head with black tempera, then draw the front legs. Tall cats - I stress all the way down to the bottom of the paper. Laying cat - under the head towards the bottom. 

Then paint the cat's back, stretching all the way over to the side of the paper and down. Then the back leg, big letter C with a foot that is a flat littler c. 

The face details - large human like eyes, long nose and simple smile. Then PATTERNS! We stop for a minute and look at her cats again and look at the patterns she used. I demonstrate painting the patterns on the whole cat and then let them go!

Coloring, we discuss her use of warm and cool colors but I give them freedom to be creative with their color choices. I only stress good craftsmanship, careful, purposeful coloring.

1st Grade - Picasso Clowns

This lesson is an "oldie but goodie".  My mother and her art teacher pals created this lesson years ago.  It has been a great one to pull out every few years.  Students look at Picasso Portraits, (Picasso Prezi), and Picasso's Clown he did with simple line.  We create ours with black tempera and warm and cool oil pastels.  They are always super cute in a group at the arts festival!  This is an easy 2 week lesson with great results!

1st Grade - Joan Miro Abstracts

Joan Miro's bold abstracts with the heavy black line and scribbly backgrounds make me happy! I love to use Miro to teach my younger students how to balance line making... teaching them how to make it look random, but really, there was a plan all along.  They did a great job here! My main goal is to have students create lines that crisscross in an interesting way.  

We discuss Miro's color choices as well.  We notice he likes the primary colors.... plus green.  It must have been his favorite color combination, he used it a lot! 

This project is always successful!  Students love to learn about Miro and create something unique in his style.  Sometimes I think they are better Miro's than Miro!