Zentangle Animals

My fourth graders learned about contour line drawing and zentangles for this project.  They had to pick an animal to draw.  I brought in pictures of the animal they wanted, and they had to draw by observation.  Then, they traced the animal with sharpie.  Next, they drew zentangle patterns inside the animal.  Finally, they painted them.  I demonstrated using a wet on wet technique or just painting in each of the sections.  My students did a great job!  I love these! 

My fourth graders made clay mugs this year.  We had a lot of fun with this project.  I had rolled slabs ahead of time for the base and the sides of the mugs.  They had to construct it using the score, slip, and bond technique.  They had to roll a coil for the handle and attach that.  Finally, they got to choose what subject matter they would use to design their mug.  Fun Functional Art!

Radial Prints

My fourth graders just finished their printmaking unit.  They created Radial Prints.  They had to use a "wet on wet" technique to paint the paper, so they could create a tye-dye affect.  I wet the paper before they painted and then if they wanted me to I sprayed it with water again at the end.  They could pick it up and tilt it to let the paint drip if they chose.  Next, they had to draw a design (using lines and shapes) on a small sqaure of paper starting from a corner.  Then, they had to trace their design onto a piece of foam to create the printing plate.  I have them trace it one more time after they pull off the paper to make sure the lines are deep enough.  Finally, they roll ink onto the foam and print it four times on their painted paper.  To make sure they print in the right direction each time, I had them mark the corner they started from on the back of the foam.  I told them the mark has to point to the center of the paper each time in order to create a radial print.  For their assessment they had to write a "How-To" paragraph.  They look fantastic!

4th Grade Monochromatic Gestures

My 4th grade students learned about value.  They painted a value scale after studying Vincent Van Gogh's blue period, then they chose a color to paint a monochromatic background for their gesture prints.  The students learned about gesture drawings.  They sketched gestures from wooden models.  They chose one gesture as the emphasis for their artwork.  They carved their gesture in styrofoam and printed it on colored paper.  They have to choose complimentary colors for their artwork.  They turned out great!

4th Grade: Tissue Paper Collage

My 4th grade students at Findley Oaks created tissue paper collages inspired by the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. She creates beautful flower paintings, so the students used flowers as their subject. They tore tissue paper to create the flowers and painted the background with watercolors. They are great!

Mrs. Andrew's and I had our 4th grade students at Findley Oaks Elementary create an installation for International Fine Arts Night this year. The students recreated John's Creek by sculpting different buildings and houses out of clay. Parent volunteers helped to bring it all together by making the roads, trees, and street signs. It looks amazing!