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 would also have them write a few sentences explaining which techniques they used and why. Another idea is to let students experiment with adding mixed media, like white gel pen or chalk, to enhance details like stars. This would give them more creative freedom while still connecting back to what they learned in the lesson.

Comments

Introduction Footprint

An introduction project where we traced our foot on colored paper. The footprint had to include three different mediums, our name, and items that represent us. I added my school, hobbies, favorite foods, and family, which gave others a little insight into who I am and what I enjoy. After completing the footprint project, students will post their footprints on a bulletin board to create a “class path.” This display shows how each student is unique while still being part of the same classroom community. It helps students learn about one another and feel connected to the class.

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...

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...

Sara Mobergs Art

Search This Blog