Art Masterpiece Corner: October 2014

Monday, October 20, 2014

Edward Munch "The Scream" for Halloween

Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa", Edvard Munch’s "The Scream" may be the most iconic human figure in the history of Western art. So it's no surprise to me that when Halloween approaches I get requests for Edvard Munch. "The Scream" project in particular, my of my favorite projects to lead.

After a discussion about Edvard Munch and his painting "The Scream", students are given large watercolor paper ( at least 11x17) to sketch and paint the background. While students are painting, I photograph each student one by one, asking them to replicate a silent scream. Sometimes it takes four or five photos as they can't help smiling.

Allow the project to dry. In the meantime I print out the photo onto copy paper. Trim their photo by cutting out the background and glue onto their painting using a glue stick.

They love seeing themselves in a painting, especially when it is on display all month long. Thanks +Kathy Barbro for the great idea!

The project is also great to show perspective. Depending on age you could have a group discussion of feelings and emotions.

Hint: Label their photo and painting so you can match them up later.

How about you? What projects do you like to do for fall?
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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Easy Watercolor Leaves

Fall has arrived! - at least up in the higher elevations of Arizona.

Here in the valley we usually don't experience fall until much later in the year, sometimes it does not arrive until well after Thanksgiving. Actually it's so short that we hardly notice that it's already winter. Okay, it's hardly winter either.

If you are longing for cooler temperatures and leaves changing colors, you can bring fall much earlier by painting watercolor leaf silhouettes, which in my opinion, is the next best thing.

Supplies:

High quality watercolor paper
Watercolors (high quality will yield the best results)
Watercolor brushes
Pencil

To create, use a pencil to lightly trace a leaf onto watercolor paper. Then gently erase until you can barely see your pencil marks.

Dip a paint brush into plain water and fill in your leaf shape, being careful to not extend past your outline.

Then dip the brush in to your watercolor paint and gently touch on to the shape (working quickly) in a few places, repeat as desired. Try not to be tempted to mix the watercolor or drag the brush across the paper like you would in normal painting, let the watercolor pigment do all the work.

If you want the colors to blend, then do the procedures again and just barely touch the other color with water. Once the leaf is completely filled allow to dry. Display as is or add leaf veins or shading.

This project great for Art Masterpiece as you can achieve great results in a short amount of time. No watercolor experience required.

Pretty enough to display all year round, don't you think?

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Art Inspired Costumes You Can Make

Looking for inspiration for a costume? Below are twelve (in no particular order) creative, art inspired costumes. Some are quick and easy to make with items you have laying around your house, or can purchase for cheap at your local thrift store.

You could actually pull these together at the last minute as there is little to no sewing involved. Being historically accurate is not as important as creativity. Just imagine all the oohs and aahs you'll get.

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci