Seventh Grade Value Studies

Seventh graders spend the first trimester learning about how to use value, or variations of light and darkness, to create special effects in their artwork. Value can be used for contrast, emphasis, or to create 3-dimensional effects, such as with shading. Each student created a contour drawing, or a drawing made only with lines. They used dividing lines to slice up the page and "shatter" their drawing into smaller pieces. Finally, they spent several classes on the task of shading each shape with a graduated value scale. If you look closely at the samples, each and every shape has a complete value scale, from darkest to lightest.

Second Grade Portraits

Second Graders created these portrait using pencil, then Elmer's glue, on black paper. Finally, they added color with soft pastels. When the glue dries, it leaves clear, smooth lines that resist the chalk pastels- resulting in raised outlines that beautifully contrast with the vibrant colors. I love this project! It allows for such creativity and color choice, and of course they love mixing the colors with their hands. As an introduction to the project, we observed and discussed self-portraits by Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh. 

Kindergarten Self-Portrait Collages

Kindergarteners created these lively self-portrait collages after observing and discussing the collages of Henri Matisse and the self-portraiture of Van Gogh. We discussed how collage was like "drawing with scissors." I demonstrated how to draw and cut out shapes, and how to apply just the right amount of glue. The kids loved finding all of the different colored and patterned papers in their trays, and the vibrant, adorable collages show how much fun they had.