Britto Puppy

Today first graders started a new project. We began by discussing our pets and then read a book about dogs. We also looked at artworks by Romero Britto and discussed his life.

Students practiced drawing their puppy. We then drew one together, put in lines and began to paint in the shapes.

This week students watched a short video of Romero Britto working on art. They spent the rest of the hour painting their puppy.

Today students glued their puppy onto a frame. We also brainstormed different lines and shapes that could be used to design the puppy.

The students went "puppy hunting" with a black crayon to find the puppy and outline it. They began to add in designs with oil pastels after the outlining was done.

Today students finished their puppies. They added designs and patterns to complete the artwork. 

They turned out great!

Farmyard

With spring just around the corner, it's time for farms, grass and baby animals! We began this project reading a book and drew the different parts of the farmyard with oil pastels.  We learned that landscapes have three parts to them: background, middleground and foreground.

After drawing in hills, sun, clouds and trees, the background was painted in.

Today first graders drew barns and silos after looking at examples. They got to choose how to color them in. 

After the coloring was finished, students cut and glued them onto their backgrounds.

This week the students finished up their Farmyards. They added a frame, a fence and animals. 

I think they turned out great!

Flower Still Life

Still Life of Flowers in a Vase

Today first graders learned about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. We looked at examples of his art. We also talked about what a still life is. We practiced drawing flowers together as a group.

A vase of flowers was put at each table. After the vases were drawn, students worked on drawing in the flowers they saw. Drawing the flowers "big" was a challenge for almost all!

Today students worked on coloring in their vase, flowers, stems and leaves.

Today students finished up their Van Gogh flowers. They glued a frame onto the art and worked on outlining with black oil pastels.

The final step was to watercolor the table and the wall.

Beautiful!!

Penguins

This is one of my students' all time favorite project so I do it every year!

We began by reading a book about penguins and discussing the word texture.

First graders colored with crayons and texture plates to create visual texture.

Painting the backgrounds was next. The kids used liquid watercolors to paint over the crayons.

They ended the class by drawing an iceberg with chalk pastels.

This week, first graders glued on a colored frame, cut and glued their iceberg and built a penguin.

Today was the final day for penguins. This is often a favorite day for first grade in the art room. I put out lots of supplies and let them just create!!  I love all of the different ways the penguins were decorated!