My goal was to have the kids think about texture, color transition, moving the eye through a composition, and layering colors.
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| Leah - 5th Grader |
Half way through the project, as I was walking around to help my students I thought, crap, this project was too hard. The kids weren't getting it. I had them squinting to see if there were enough dark colors and contrasting light colors, many of them couldn't see that there weren't. Some of them wanted to stop at that point, and it was my job to show them there is more to a painting than the top layer.
I began to grab the kids brushes and show them how and where to add the color. I wanted the kids to create something their parents would be psyched about hanging in their house. I know, unnecessary pressure to place on the kids.
With thirty minutes left of the class, I breathed a sigh of relief, the kids were layering their colors. Their paintings were their interpretations of my example, and they were all unique and beautiful.
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| Nicholas - 3rd Grader |
It was a reminder of what I go through as an artist every time I do a painting. Half-way through my paintings I hate what I'm working on. I think I suck. I wonder if the painting should be thrown away and I should start over. I keep going, because I can't stand walking away from an unfinished piece. The areas I can improve and expand upon begin to stick out. I keep going and before I know it, I fall in love with my painting, glad I stuck with it.
It is that extra push that turns an average piece of art into something really wonderful, in my opinion. It's like baking, if it is under-cooked it's messy, if it's over-cooked it's ruined.
Anyway, I am very proud of my students. They didn't give up, and wow did they come up with some incredible pieces.
8 comments:
Hi there. This is Annie from your SCBWI's crit group. (I came once so far.)
You should consider signing up as a vendor for some of the local homeschooling charters: Visions, South Sutter, Horizons. Homeschoolers would love to take your classes!
Just a thought. Beautiful paintings.
Awesome idea Annie! Thanks so much. I hope you're picture book is going well.
We learn so many valuable lessons by teaching, don't we?
I love your ARTitude cat logo! So cool. And what your are doing with these kids is wonderful!! You are a gift to the classroom ;-D
Innovative idea..
Leah loves your Artitude Classes! She gave her last piece to us for Christmas. It was beautiful. I especially liked the Koi fish she painted. I don't know the technique, but that little fish had texture and colors that were definitely something new she learned at your class! Thank you for enriching and encouraging Leah's love of art! Barry and Cindy
Rachel, you're amazing! Nick and Katie have loved your workshops & now I'm hooked too. I spent all weekend talking about mixing colors. You've created a monster (or 3). Thank you for the patience and skill you've shared with all of us!
Wow, they did some beautiful work, Rachel. How exciting. You have every reason to be proud of them.
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