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Print Making

To start we learned what printmaking is and how it’s used to create repeated designs and patterns. Once we understood the basics, we explored different types of printmaking and practiced using stencils, vegetables, paint, and rollers. This helped me see how things like pressure and layering can change the final print. After that, I got to experiment more with colors and materials, and I ended up choosing different patterned stencils because they were fun to adjust and build on. I also tried using vegetables like broccoli and peppers, which gave me new ideas and helped me be more creative. Overall, I spent a lot of time experimenting to figure out what worked best and what I liked most. In the end, I picked my favorite prints, glued them onto construction paper, and wrote a few sentences about each one. An extension activity for this lesson could have students create a themed printmaking project, such as a nature or animal scene, using the techniques they learned. They could plan their ...
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Whoville Paper

In this lesson, we learned about Charles McGee and how he used patterns, shapes, and repetition in his artwork. We also explored Whoville from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and talked about how imagination can inspire our own art. Then, we created four different patterns using small slips of paper, which took time and creativity. After that, we learned techniques to make our artwork look more three-dimensional. We arranged our paper pieces however we wanted, which let us be creative and make something unique. Overall, this activity showed how everyone’s artwork can be different even when using the same materials. For an extension activity, I would have students continue exploring the style of Charles McGee by creating a larger artwork that combines all of their patterns into one final design. Students could also take inspiration from Whoville and add characters or imaginative elements to make their artwork more personal. This would allow them to build on their creativity and pra...
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Watercolor Galaxies

We started the lesson by learning about galaxies and the different types and characteristics they have. Then we practiced six different watercolor techniques so we could get comfortable using them. After that, we created our own galaxy artwork using at least three techniques. For my painting, I used the crayon resist technique to make stars, swirls, and a constellation, and I added mountains at the bottom with black crayon. I also used the salt technique around the constellation and a gradient wash on the mountains with black watercolor to give them more depth and shadows. I chose purple and blue for most of the background and added some red around the constellation to make it stand out. An extension activity I would include is having students research a real galaxy, like the Milky Way, and use it as inspiration for a second watercolor painting. Students could focus on specific features, such as color patterns or shapes, and try to recreate them using the techniques they learned. I wou...
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Perspective Drawing

For this project, we created a one-point perspective drawing inspired by M.C. Escher. We started by studying his patterns and perspectives, then added a dot in the center of the page to serve as our focus point. Next, we drew at least eight squares or rectangles, four on each side of the page, and connected the corners of each shape back to the center dot using a ruler, starting with the shapes closest to the dot and making sure none of the lines overlapped. After that, we went over all of the lines with Sharpie to make them bold. Then we added patterns to the shapes, using a mix of our own ideas and two patterns that were drawn on the board, outlining the patterns with Sharpie once we were finished. Finally, we colored in the patterns using oil pastels, which really helped the shapes pop and gave the drawing a three-dimensional look. For an extension, students can create a one-point perspective cityscape or room scene using a vanishing point on their paper. They will draw buildings, f...
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Hidden Safari

For this art project, we started by learning about safaris and the kinds of animals you might see, like elephants, giraffes, lions, and rhinos. We also talked about warm and cool colors. Warm colors are red, orange, and yellow, and cool colors are green, blue, and purple. One of the main skills we worked on was how to draw upside down. Drawing this way helps you focus more on the shapes and outlines instead of worrying about every little detail of the object. Before starting our final piece, we also made red glasses, which would later help us see the hidden image in our artwork by blocking out the warm colors. For my project, I chose to draw a monkey. I drew it upside down using a cool color, which helped keep it hidden later on. After finishing the drawing, I used warm-colored crayons to add patterns over the entire page. I used the different warm colors and different patterns to hide the monkey. When looking at the artwork normally, you mostly see the bright patterns. However, when y...
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Vincent Van Gogh Inspired Landscape Project

This project started with learning about Vincent van Gogh and exploring his painting Starry Night . After looking at his style and artwork, I created my own piece inspired by it. I started by making the background using tissue paper and gel medium. I chose different shades of blue, white, and black to create an underwater look. I then used black paper to design different types of seaweed and coral. To finish the piece, I added fish using oil pastels, which helped bring the underwater scene to life and added more detail and movement. An extension activity for this project could have students create a short story about their scene. They can describe what is happening in their artwork and imagine what it would feel like to be inside of it. Students could also add more elements to their art, like extra texture or layers, to build on what they already made. Another option is to have students compare their work to Starry Night and explain how they were inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s style. ...
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Elements and Principles

  My top 5 photos Color: I saw these very colorful flowers at Trader Joes  Shadow: As I was walking outside,  I saw how the building casted  a shadow on the sidewalk     Emphasis: At a basketball game the lights being shut off around the court drew                    your eye to the center                                                      Line: I found this as the ceiling in a building on campus Shape: I saw this clock as I was doing homework that's a perfect circle                                                                    An extension activity would be to create a matching card game. Each card in...
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