WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I know I did, but I’m very happy to be back at home in the art room. Here is a brief synopsis of what your artsy little dolphins are up to: for the first project, each grade level is focused on interpreting the themes of identity and personality through various types of self-portraits. Read on for specifics!
Kindergarten has been elbow-deep in paint- 3 types! First, liquid watercolor to experiment with color-mixing, then liquid tempera to paint a likeness of their head for a self-portrait, and finally tempera sticks to add features like eyes, noses, mouths, and other details. The finished portraits are so bright and fun- I can’t wait for you to see them!
First grade is working on full-body self-portraits, using simple shapes to form a figure. They are using paint and oil pastel to create these colorful projects, and exploring the spatial relationship between foreground and background by showing ‘where’ their person is, whether that’s outside, inside, or even outer space!
Second graders are channeling their inner super heroes to create some comic-inspired self portraits a la American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Everyone had a chance to ‘model’ an action pose while we practiced drawing people in motion using lines and simple shapes. Ask your second grader how he or she used bubble wrap to create a background inspired by the printer Benjamin Day!
Third grade is hard at work on self-portraits, focusing on facial proportions are using mirrors to really capture what they look like in their drawings. I’m very proud of their work so far, and can’t wait to see what they look like when they’re finished. Next up is a watercolor background in either a cool or warm color scheme- ask your third grader how to tell the difference.
Fourth grade is working on inside-out self-portraits, and they’ve come up with some fabulous ways to convey their personalities visually through symbols. The finished product will be a silhouette of your student filled with symbols (and glitter paint)!
Fifth grade students are working on illuminated initials as self-portraits. We began by discussing a brief history of illuminated letters, and then they came up with a way to create a ‘fancy’ letter that could be filled with symbols to illustrate their personality. Glitter paints are making an appearance in these projects, and I think you will be very impressed with what your kids have come up with!
That’s all for now, check back for some photos and glimpses into what’s next!
Kindergarten has been elbow-deep in paint- 3 types! First, liquid watercolor to experiment with color-mixing, then liquid tempera to paint a likeness of their head for a self-portrait, and finally tempera sticks to add features like eyes, noses, mouths, and other details. The finished portraits are so bright and fun- I can’t wait for you to see them!
First grade is working on full-body self-portraits, using simple shapes to form a figure. They are using paint and oil pastel to create these colorful projects, and exploring the spatial relationship between foreground and background by showing ‘where’ their person is, whether that’s outside, inside, or even outer space!
Second graders are channeling their inner super heroes to create some comic-inspired self portraits a la American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Everyone had a chance to ‘model’ an action pose while we practiced drawing people in motion using lines and simple shapes. Ask your second grader how he or she used bubble wrap to create a background inspired by the printer Benjamin Day!
Third grade is hard at work on self-portraits, focusing on facial proportions are using mirrors to really capture what they look like in their drawings. I’m very proud of their work so far, and can’t wait to see what they look like when they’re finished. Next up is a watercolor background in either a cool or warm color scheme- ask your third grader how to tell the difference.
Fourth grade is working on inside-out self-portraits, and they’ve come up with some fabulous ways to convey their personalities visually through symbols. The finished product will be a silhouette of your student filled with symbols (and glitter paint)!
Fifth grade students are working on illuminated initials as self-portraits. We began by discussing a brief history of illuminated letters, and then they came up with a way to create a ‘fancy’ letter that could be filled with symbols to illustrate their personality. Glitter paints are making an appearance in these projects, and I think you will be very impressed with what your kids have come up with!
That’s all for now, check back for some photos and glimpses into what’s next!