Hidden Safari

For our hidden safari we used the drawing style of drawing upside down.  First, we were given images we could choose from to draw.  We then turned the image upside down and began to draw it in light blue pencil.  When drawing the animal we did not want to press too hard.  We wanted to draw it as lightly as possible so the lines were not easy to see.  Then it was time to hide our image.  To hide the blue line you take yellow, orange, and red crayons and draw over the image.  You could draw swirls, shapes, or anything that would attract the eye away from the blue image.  After that  we mounted our image onto a piece of construction paper.

This activity could also be used in science.  In science teachers are also telling student about animal life styles and cycles.  A science teacher can have students draw an animal they are talking about.  Teachers could also use this activity when they discuss the food chain.  They can say that many animals try different ways to hide from their attackers.  Teachers can then have student put on their glasses to see if they can find all the animals that are trying to hide.  It is a fun activity for students to get up and active trying to find all the different animals hiding.

Eric Carle

In class we talked about a popular author.  It so happens that this author also creates his own illustrations for his books.  The author that we discussed was Eric Carle.  Eric Carle is a well known  author of children's books. One of his most famous books was the Hungry Caterpillar. In class, we watched a video of Eric Carle demonstrating how he creates his illustrations.  As a class we then created our own illustration for a children's book we could write.  Above is a picture that I created using Eric Carle's technique.  When creating an image like Eric Carle, a person needs to start off with a white sheet of paper.  Then you choose colors that you would like to mix.  For example, for my background I took red and blue and made a purple background.  For my tree I took a dark green and added white to make a lighter green.  To then add texture an artist can make designs with the back of their paintbrush.  I did this while designing the house in my picture.  You create these colors and designs on separate sheets of paper.  You then choose the one you want ant create an image.  I took an orange paper and made a dog.  You take different combinations and cut out the shapes or objects you want to create a story.

An extension activity for this project would be to have student's create their own stories.  They then can create different illustrations to go along with their story.  This would be a great project to use for English. Students can then create their own story book to share with their family and friends just like Eric Carle.

Van Gogh

 

In class we discussed Van Gogh's Starry Night.  With being inspired by Van Gogh I created my own art that was similar to Starry Night.  To begin my picture I took a piece of black construction paper to make a night time feel for the background.  Next I cut and/or tore different colors of tissue paper and glued them onto the construction paper.  I used green tissue paper to make grass at the bottom of the paper and used different colors in the sky to represent wind.  I then took a paintbrush and painted red jell over the top of the tissue paper to give it a glossy finish.  After adding the glossy finish, I added the other elements to my art.  I used pastels to add lines to fill the space of the sky.  This was an element that Van Gogh used to create Starry Night. I added a fence, cow, and a barn to give it a farm look.  I chose this setting because I like being and living on the farm.  It fits my personality of who I am.

An extension activity could be students can do research on Van Gogh.  Students can make a PowerPoint about other paintings he had created.  They could also, write a paper on Van Gogh's background.  Knowing a little bit about the author, gives students a better idea of why he painted something that he did.

Elements and Principles of Art

 



 

In art methods we learned about the different elements and principles of art. Within learning the elements and principles we had to create a PowerPoint using all the different elements we see throughout the environment.  Here are five pictures that I displayed in my PowerPoint.  With the first picture I displayed balance. The second picture I displayed lines, lines can go in several different direction such as the ones displayed in the picture. The third picture displays color.  This displays color because the picture shows off several different colors that fade in and out of each other.  The fourth picture displays unity because all the circles  are the same size. The fifth and final picture displays repetition.  This displays repetition because the same line is repeated over and over throughout the pattern.



This type of activity can be used in other subjects just as it was used in my arts method.  One way it can be used is to discuss science.  Science teacher can have student do a project like this to display different animals habitats.  Student can go out and take pictures of a certain animals habitat.  Students can then journal their results. 

Art History

Art history is an important subject for students.  It allows students to go back and think about where the paintings came from and what the meaning is behind the painting.  It also gives the students a glimpse into what the artist was thinking while painting the piece.  Students can also learn about the country in which the art came from and how it was created.  When teaching art history in my classroom I want to incorporate a picture walk with audio.  I want students to be able to observe the piece while listening about it.  I believe this would give students a better understanding.  The students will be able to observe and really look at the art while the audio version will give them a better understanding.  I will then allow the students to give me their opinion about the art.  I want them to be able to ask question and give their opinion.  This allows me to become closer with my students. After viewing the art and having a discussion, I would then have students pick their favorite artist or art and make a work of art following that technique or style.  I think students will enjoy making art like a famous artist, also students will be able to learn and have fun which is what my goal is for students when I become a teacher.

Footprint

This is a project that I made in Art Methods.  I drew an outline of my foot on a piece of construction paper.  I then wrote my name on my footprint and filled it with pictures and drawings of the things that describe me.  The daisies on the heel represent my favorite season which is spring and also daisies are my favorite flower.  The Christmas tree represents my favorite holiday.  The dog, cat, and penguin represent my favorite animals.  I am always listening to music and I like to sing.  That is why there are music notes.  Finally, the barn represent that I grew up on a farm and I like to live in the country.

When I become a teacher I can use a project similar to this with my students.  Yes, I could use it to have students introduce themselves in the beginning of the school year but I can also use it in different subjects.  I could use it in history.  Students can pick a famous president or figure and make a footprint based on a famous act they have done in history.  I could also use it in science.  Students can pick a famous experiment and place the important aspects of that experiment on the footprint.  The possibilities are endless.  This is a great activity that I believe many students would enjoy to do.