Pen Line Drawings

A fun task which I like to do with students is a Pen Line Drawing.  I use different types of felt pens with different thicknesses.  I ask students to find an image, in this case it was an image of an animal.  Students then select a section from the image and draw onto white paper.

Students then work into the different sections using different line patterns and colours. 

Here are a few examples made by a Year Nine Art Class:

Stained Glass Windows

This is a fun activity which can be as simple or complex as you want. The focus is on Stained Glass Windows which mainly explore the use of composition, positive and negative space, shape and colour.

To introduce the task it is good to look at the history of stained glass windows and observe examples. Here are a few links which may be useful.

I then collect stencil images.

You can either use plastic stencil, images from craft books or find images online.

Here are a few sites which provide free stencil images.

Next you will need a piece of black card, I like to use an A3 size with students. You could use larger if you want more detail. The next step is to create the design by tracing the stencils.

You then cut out the images using a craft cutting knife. Older students would be able to do this themselves, younger students would need an adult to do it for them. be sure to use a cutting mat underneath.

The next step is to paste coloured cellophane onto the black card. Be sure to paste it onto the side you drew on. When the designs are completed I like to laminate the final work and then attach them to the windows of the classroom. It is a great way to make brighten up a room.

Here are a few student examples:

Textural Relief

Here is an activity which can be used as a scaffolding activity or as a final work. The focus is on composition and texture.


Many students do not consider texture when creating art. This activity allows students to explore this area.

1. First collect materials which have a tactile quality such as: lace, beads, paper doilies, mesh, netting, hessian, string, etc. You can also use modelling compound and scratch into it to create texture.

2. On a sturdy piece of cardboard, arrange and paste the objects to create a textural relief design. Craft or PVA glue is the best. Leave overnight to completely set.

Here is an example of a Textural Relief Collage.  I used pony beads, the rubber mesh used to stop mats from slipping, lace, and ribbon.

3.  The next step is to complete cover the collage with paint.  You can choose one colour or two.  I ask students to make sure that they cannot see any of the original colours.  This process allows students to just focus on texture.  Let the paint dry completely.

4. The next stage is to highlight raised areas of the textures.  This is best done by using a metallic paint and a dry brush.  Apply a small amount of paint onto the brush and dab the brush to remove excess paint.  Lightly drag the brush across the top of the collage.  Areas which are raised will be painted with the metallic paint.

Here is an example of the final product.

Here are a few student examples from a Year 10 Art class:

Elements and Principles of Design

Elements & Principles of Design

View more presentations from Z M.

Museum of Online Museums

Recently, I was compiling a list of online Art Galleries and came across this site.  I then realised the site had done it for me.  It contains an extensive list of Art Galleries and Museums available online.  The trick is to find the one you want.

http://www.coudal.com/moom/

Language of Design Presentation

LANGUAGE OF DESIGN (Intro to GD, Wk 2)

View more presentations from Shawn Calvert.

This is a great presentation for Art teachers.

Sites About Colour

Feathered Friends

A great ceramic activity is to design your own bird and then build it.

• To start look at different features of birds and different types. Good ones to look at are toucans, parrots, flamingos, peacocks, pelicans or any bird with a distinguishing feature.

• Look at bird designs and logos such as Twitter. http://www.iconfinder.net/

 

     

• Look Mythical birds such as the Phoenix

• Design a bird by adding features of other birds or design your own.

• Make a hollow body first by joining two pinch pots. Then add the bird’s features. Don’t forget to add an air hole into the body.

• Once fired glaze or paint and varnish.