May 2021 Art Blog

 

Kindergarten: The Tree of Life inspired by Gustav Klimt

Kindergarten students were introduced to the Austrian “Art Nouveau” painter Gustav Klimt (born in 1862). Klimt had created many world famous paintings such as “The Kiss” and the painting the Kindergarten students were introduced to “The Tree of Life”. Gustav Klimt painted the Tree of Life, during his Golden Era as seen by the extensive use of the golden color on this piece. 

Gustav Klimt’s decorative art nouveau style, with his use of colors and abstract shapes, is full of symbolism and can be interpreted in so many ways. Students used gold tempera paint to paint their own tree of life, painting graceful spirals at the end of each branch. While painting students dedicated each spiral to someone they love. 

2nd GRADE: Warm/Cool Color Sun/Moon Study

Students were introduced to the color scheme warm and cool. With colors an artist can set a mood, attract attention, or make a statement. Color can be used to energize, or to calm down. By selecting the right color scheme, artists can create an ambiance of elegance, warmth or tranquility, or convey an image of playful youthfulness. Color can be an artist's most powerful design element if learned to use effectively. 

Colors affect us in numerous ways, both mentally and physically. A strong red color has been shown to raise blood pressure, while a blue color has a calming effect.

Students learned to use colors consciously and harmoniously to create spectacular results.

Students sketched imaginary, circular sun/moon compositions and used a color marker/water wash technique to carefully color in the sun/moon compositions with warm/cool color combinations. 

3rd GRADE: Constellation Illustrations

The constellation of the Little Bear also known by its Latin name Ursa Minor contains an easily recognizable group of seven stars in the USA called the Little Dipper. 

Students were introduced to the basic artistic background of how astronomers  and artists have illustrated constellations in the past and in the present and how artists from different countries and cultures have associated the grouping of stars with a variety of images and creatures. 

Using white sketch pencils students carefully mapped out the stars of the Ursa Minor constellation and sketched the mythological figure and/or creature around them. To color students practice the cross-hatching technique with colored pencils For finishing touches students placed gold star stickers in place of the constellation. 

4th GRADE: Realistic Soap Bubbles

This introduction to realistic rendering in colored pencil absorbed 4th grade students in wonder and excitement.There are a few techniques that are key to creating realistic work in colored pencil. The first is layering by lightly applying multiple layers known as cross-hatching. With this technique artists can achieve soft transitions in value, color and light. Colored pencils are solid-not liquid-so it doesn't blend like paint. Creating smooth transitions requires constant layering with light pressure. 

Drawing bubbles on black paper is really interesting because of the way a color pencil will pop against the black paper. The white highlights and reflections on bubbles are particularly satisfying to apply creating the visual effect of a sphere. There is no right or wrong way to draw these bubbles. With some practice and patience everybody can learn how to draw bubbles like this. Each and every bubble came out differently which makes this project such a stunning visual.