We recently learned about texture in my elementary art classes, and my younger kids created these fabulous happy cactuses (cacti?). I had to share it with you all! And explain how it is done for you to do in your own class.
Classes began with a discussion of texture. We talked about what it is to us (soft clothes, rough carpet, smooth desk) then what it is for art. For art, there are two types of texture: real and implied. Real texture is when you can feel the brush strokes of a painting, or when an artist applies things with collage. Implied texture is when something looks textured, such as a painting of a dog's fur or the bark on a tree.
For this project, we are creating implied texture, using real texture!
Huh?
Day 1:
Students got to create a texture plate to use on their art. What is a texture plate? A texture plate is something that has texture, that you can use to create rubbings. In this case, it is a piece of cardboard, with other pieces cut and glued on top.
I am all about recycling, and am always saving the backs and fronts of paint pads. For this project, we used the backs of a paint pad, and then cut our shapes out of old file folders. This allowed the kids to see their shapes (you could do it with two file folders, but you wouldn't see them glued on as well).
Any shape works! I like geometric, but I did have kids do hearts and stars. For the younger ones, you really have to coach them that they are not making a pretty picture, just something that will aid in making a pretty picture.
Students used glue sticks, so that they could make rubbings during the same class. They were given two pieces of plain old computer paper and asked to get out their crayons. Putting the paper on top of the texture plate, they colored with the side of the crayon point and watched as it magically picked up the shapes!
Because we're making a cactus, students did one sheet in all green and then a second sheet that would be their pot in any color they wanted. We finished our rubbings and put things away until the next class.
Day 2:
After passing back our textured papers, students learned how to draw the shape of a cactus. I always tell them to draw on the back, so they can erase and not see lines on their beautiful colors. Some listen, some don't, what can you do? Ha!
We started with a tall upside down U, which became the body of our cactus. From there we added our arms. Our cactus has two arms, and they are at different heights. We drew rectangles coming from the body, each at a different height. Once we have added the rectangles, we add smaller upside down U's on top of them to make the rest of their limb.
On the second, not-green paper, students can draw their pots. Pots can be a simple rectangle, or they can be more detailed. I like the idea of drawing a square with a rectangle on top. They could be trapezoids also.
For the background I use construction paper. My FAVORITE for projects that are meant to last is Pacon Tru-ray. I am a true Tru-ray junkie. I told my students they could draw patterns on their paper if they wanted, but most of them chose not to.
Cut out the cactus and the pot and glue them to the background. Have cut white circles to glue on for eyes and let the students draw the pupils, as well as smiles, nose, eyelashes, etc. And then, last but not least, the spikes!
Have fun with this. Let your kids get creative and give their cactus a personality. The images below are from my first graders, but you could probably do this all the way up to 3rd or 4th grade if you wanted to give it a try.
Until next time,
Miss Urban
No comments:
Post a Comment