Stained Glass- Cubist Inspired Candles

We did this piece with watercolor pencils. I think I might use crayons and liquid watercolors if I did it again. The results are still cool, kind of rough and grainy like old stained glass.

I had the students begin this project by drawing the candle. With young artists, I remind them to make their candle large on the page, if I don't remind them, they will usually draw it relatively small.

With a ruler, the students then  draw lines at angles across the page, crossing through the candle.

I asked them to use warm colors for the candle and cool in the background.

6th Grader

My Example

4th Grader

2nd Grader

Falling Leaves - celebrating the changing season with art

My favorite part of the workshops happens after everyone leaves and I'm left to stare at the creations. Don't judge:) I mean the statement in the best possible way.

During a workshop I get caught up in the intensity and energy in the classroom as students work on their pieces. I love it. And then when it becomes quiet and empty I organize the drying paintings and view them one at a time. It never fails. I'm repeatedly amazed at what is before me. Every piece is beautiful. Every artist shares a little bit of their magic and paints something only they could paint, and what a gift that I get, to witness that moment.

Acrylic - Fourth Grader

Acrylic - Eighth Grader

Acrylic - First Grader

Acrylic - Fourth Grader

Watercolor - Fourth Grader

Acrylic - Third Grader

Watercolor - Second Grader

Acrylic - Fourth Grader

Acrylic - Second Grader

Watercolor, Resistant - Fourth Grader

Acrylic - Fourth Grader 

Acrylic - Fifth Grader

Acrylic - Fourth Grader

Acrylic - Third Grader

Jelly Fish Paintings

Acrylic versus Watercolor

During this workshop, the kids dedicated almost all of their time to creating amazing pieces. While their acrylic painting base layer dried they started their watercolor pencil and crayon resistant part. Both pieces subject matter are jellyfish. It was a perfect opportunity for the students to see how different the mediums worked with the same subject. A jellyfish is a water animal, so painting it with a more fluid medium really works. But, you'll be impressed by the acrylic results as well!

Second Grader - Watercolor

Sixth Grader - Acrylic

Sixth Grader - Watercolor 

Second Grader - Watercolor

My Acrylic Example

Fifth Grader - Acrylic

Seventh Grader - Acrylic

Fourth Grader - Acrylic

Fourth Grader - Acrylic

Fourth Grader - Watercolor

Fourth Grader - Watercolor

Second Grader - Acrylic

Fifth Grader - Acrylic

Fifth Grader - Acrylic

Art Camp Success!

Van Gogh Inspired Acrylic Paintings

What a group to end my Art Camp summer. The palette colors in this session are subtle compared to previous sessions. The work turned out beautiful! My age range was first through sixth graders. My favorite experience for this week was watching the results of the Van Gogh inspired flower painting. We started with a blank paper canvas  and minimal direction. The only thing I told the kids was to draw the horizon and the vase. They picked and mixed their own colors, decided how many flowers and what the flowers were to look like. I did emphasize layering the paint. When the background dried then they did the vase. When the vase dried then they painted the stems. Then the flowers.

In between the drying acrylic layers we worked on the wood pile watercolor resistance painting. When I do my art painting workshops in the future, I'll continue that and people will end up with two completed pieces by the end of the class.

I overheard some parents during the art show laugh and say "Well this camp certainly wasn't about finger painting." I took it as a compliment. Depending on how things go, I want to do these camps again next summer, only twice as many and I'll do a bit of advertising to boot. There are so many starving young artists out there, starving to learn and create art. I feel a sense of joy knowing I can provide my experiences and practice to help them improve their skills and discover more about who they are through their artistic expression.


Reflection - Color Pencil, Watercolor
Fourth grader



Flower Vase, acrylics - Fifth Grader

 

 

Rooster, Watercolor Collage - Third Grader

Cupcake, watercolor pencils - Sixth Grader

 

Flower Vase, acrylics - Fourth Grader



Dinosaur Point of View, colored pencils - Fourth Grader

Woodpile, Watercolor, Crayon Resistance - Fourth Grader

Cupcake, watercolor pencils - First Grader

 

Flower Vase, acrylic - First Grader



Reflection, colored pencils, watercolor
Third Grader

Session Three Art Camp

Four of my students and their week of creativity

Each art camp session bodes new and exciting creations. This past week I had a wonderful group of artists not only visually but verbally as well. When a glue stick ran out, one student said we should have a gluneral for it. Of course this idea stuck and so when a marker ran out we gave it a markuneral.

I know I've written before the glory of watching students explore who they are through their art, but every day I work with kids I'm reminded of it. Every child is different. How they see color, shape, design is different. Never is it right or wrong, it just is what it is and no one can help but be successful every day when they have that attitude.

So, enjoy this sampling of children's projects. One week and so much brightness and life!


Watercolor Pencils - 6th Grader

Marker and water - 1st Grader

Marker and water - 4th Grader

Acrylic Paint - 3rd Grader

Acrylic and Crayon - 2nd Grader



Watercolor and Salt Collage - 3rd Grader

Watercolor and Crayon and Glue - 6th Grader

Acrylic Paint - 4th Grader

Watercolor and Crayon - 1st Grader