Sculptures inspired by Alberto Giacometti

6th grade wheel students recently learned about Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966). Although Giacometti was a brilliant artist in painting, printmaking, and drawing, we focused on his sculptures. Here are two examples of bronze sculptures created by Giacometti:

 

Students began this project with a sessions of gesture drawing.
We had students model for a few minutes at a time while the class captured their pose. This exercise helped students think about the poses they wanted their figure sculptures to be in.
The sculpture process started with a wire armature, then they were "bulked up" with foil, then coated with paper mache.
To make them look a little more like bronze, students applied metallic paint with a dry brush.

Landmark postcard prints

6th grade wheel students just completed their printmaking projects. 

Each student had to chose one of various international landmarks and create a block print postcard for it.

Students used reference images to create detailed drawings of their chosen landmark. 

The images were then transferred to their printing plate, carved out, then prints were made. 

Students were given a wide range of paper and ink color choices and were given the opportunity to print as many as they cared to. 

They had a blast with this project.

This is just a the preliminary drawing. Incredible, and only in 6th grade!

A modern take on Greek pottery design

Students in Art Appreciation created designs based on Greek pottery.
We discussed images traditionally portrayed on Greek pottery.
Students had three options on this project:
1) Create a design that depicted a scene from Greek mythology
2) Create a design based on a scene from they own lives
3) Create a design based on a popular story from their own time/culture
Watercolors and ink were used to complete their pieces.
Students had the option of creating their pieces using with black or red-figure pottery as their source of color inspiration.

red-figure

black-figure

Here are a few great student examples:

Scene from an Albanian children's book.

Cover from Albanian storybook.

Scene from student's life.

Three Little Pigs, Greek style.

Squidward the Greek.

A traditional approach. Beautifully done!

Monster's Inc. 

A personal story of a soccer game mishap.

Creative ways of surviving the FCAT in the Art Room

During FCAT week, I taught some students how to play my favorite game...dominoes. 

This is the way I like to see dominoes used, the traditional way.

It was inevitable that they would be used in other ways. 

As promised, I am finally posting this magnificent domino knock-down video.

Good job guys!

African Masks in 6th Grade Wheel

In our previous unit, we discussed how Pablo Picasso was inspired by African art.

Here, students used African art as their own source of inspiration.

Before starting the project, we went over masks and their various functions in African culture.

We also talked about the elements of art that distinguish African masks from those of other cultures.

While creating their masks, students had to consider how pattern, color, and shape are used in African masks.

They were so excited to wear them around class!

Paper Mache Sculptures from Art Appreciation

 7th and 8th graders just completed their paper mache sculptures. 

Students were allowed to work alone or in groups to create these sculptures.

They began the process by developing a superhero or villain character and writing a short backstory.

After sketching and writing, students made busts of their characters out of paper, tape, cardboard, and glue.

Once the sculptures were dry, they were painted and fine details were added.

I am so proud of what they were able to accomplish.

I love coming into class and seeing all of these guys staring at me from the cabinets.