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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Faith Ringgold Inspired Story Quilts

Hello there. It's been a while since my last post.

I had gotten ill. Tried to plow through it, but eventually developed bronchitis, so I made an effort a few weeks before and during spring break to get more rest. We had a couple of cooking club friends over for dinner and other than taking kids to practice, we had a restful, but fun week.

Today was my first day back to a normal routine and first opportunity to look at new artwork out on display at our school. It was really great to see all the creativity hung up on the wall and our Art Masterpiece program thriving.

Check out how our art docent, Angela, in Mrs. Hoffman's first grade incorporated Common Core Standards and Faith Ringold's Story Quilts.

Students were asked to create an image depicting a special memory from their childhood onto canvas fabric squares, next they added water color, then oil pastels, followed by embellishments of glitter and sequins. To incorporate Common Core Standards they were asked to communicate in writing what their image was about.

As you can see there were many fun and interesting stories.

Me and mom were waking in the park and we saw flower and we saw ants ho ants I love ants.

Faith Ringgold is an African-American painter, writer, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist, and is best known for er painted story quilt.

What have you been doing these past few weeks? I'd love to hear your what you have been up to.

ou know there is a meaningful movement afoot to create Common Core State Standards for the Arts; - See more at: http://blog.artsusa.org/2010/05/28/an-open-letter-to-pre-service-arts-educators/#more-5305

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

The Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

How to Turn Your Photos into Watercolors

What’s more fun than actually painting? Letting an app do it for you! Especially this new one called Waterlogue.  

Waterlogue is a collaboration between John Balestrieri and Robert Clair. The app applies filters and gives each photo the look of a watercolor.

Image by Walter Wei

If you want a very inexpensive DIY artwork for your home, give Waterlogue a try.

I would love to see what you do with Waterlogue.

Painting Tips for Pre-K and Kindergarten

Teaching 3, 4, and 5 year old children to paint can challenging. However, when you see their eyes light up with discovery it is wonderful and can be fun for both of you.

Start off by using a good brush. One that has a wider handle with smooth bristles. Cheap, stiff brushes are not nearly as good for spreading paint.

Demonstrate how to use big, sweeping arm movements for broad paint strokes (petting a cat is a good analogy) and then small movements for small strokes. Let the children experiment with both.

For little kids, try not to use small watercolor pan paints that come in the trays. Watercolor sets with larger color wells are best at this age.

Tempera cakes provide brilliant color in a convenient package.

Try not fuss about paint colors mixing together in the palettes. It's okay if it gets a bit messy.  By the end of kindergarten and first grade you  will be able to tell them about paint manners.

Teach them about primary and secondary colors by mixing your own paint.

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of flour (for gluten free version use Cup4Cup)
• 1 cup of salt
• food coloring

Give Pre-K students lots of opportunity to free-paint. Keep instruction and direction to a minimum. Always react to paintings in neutral and enthusiastic manner :-).

With a few cheap and simple materials, students can begin to express themselves in color!

What tips and tricks do you have for working with Pre-K and kindergartners?