Monochromatic Portrait Paintings

My seventh grade rounded out the semester creating acrylic portrait paintings on 11" x 14" stretched canvas. Just like in the Chuck Close inspired portraits from first semester, I took each student's digital photo to start. This time, the students went to the library computers and used Photoshop to change their photo to b&w, crop it in a pleasing or interesting way, and then use the "Posterize" filter to reduce their photo to about 5 or 6 values (which refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or tone). At this point, their photo looked something like this:

Back in the art room, students drew a half inch grid over their photos and a one inch grid over their canvas and they used the grid method of drawing to transfer the image onto their canvas. This can be a little confusing for kids, but they did a great job. I had to keep encouraging them to just focus on the different shapes created by the values and to draw what they saw in each individual box, without worrying about the big picture. The last step was to paint each value, starting with the lightest. The students used a monochromatic color scheme (meaning derived from a single base hue, and extended using its shades, tones and tints (that is, a hue modified by the addition of black, gray (black + white) and white) to paint the values. Does this all sound confusing or what?! It isn't really, and the resulting paintings are cool! Check them out!

Warm & Cool Tessellation Portraits

Last but not least... here is Round 4 of the 6th grade's tessellation portraits. Like the three quarters before them, these are vibrant and well crafted!

Teacups in Bloom

Fifth grade girls' used the slab method of clay building (they used wooden slats and rolling pins to roll their clay into flat sheets) in order to create the base of these teacups. They then added petals and leaves or cut away at the form to create their unique flower shape. Most students also chose to add a coordinating saucer. Happy Spring!

Here are some pics of the students creating their teacups!:

Animal Prints with Border

Fifth grade girls' recently completed this printmaking project. First, they drew a stylized animal design on paper which we transferred to a rubber-like material. They then used gouges to carve away at the spaces of their choosing, while trying to balance positive and negative space in the piece. When the carving was finished, students used various colored inks to print the animals. The last step was to create another 2" x 2" printing block in which the design coordinated with the animal in some way (either its habitat, something it likes to eat, etc.). These designs were again printed on two different colored papers, cut out and then assembled around the border of the animals. I love the results!