1st Grade Project: Butterfly Washes

The students use water-activated tempera paints to make this project. They learn about creating washes with their paint. Beginning by wetting the paper before using any color, the students find that painting onto the wet surface is very different than painting onto a dry surface.

The butterfly's wings are also washed in, with the final details of the patterns done with a dry brush technique. The students will revisit the concept of washes and dry brush later in 5th and 7th grade.

8th Grade Project: Value Unit 4 - Black and White Painted Portraits

For their final project the 8th grade works on a black and white acrylic self portrait. This assignment represents the culmination of the students work in the value unit.

Students begin this project with a grid drawing of their face. This grid drawing is laid in on the canvas the students will paint on.

After the work on their grid portrait is finished the students will begin the painting by working in the large flat tones such as skin, hair, shirt, and background. After their flat tones have been laid in the next step will be to add value to these flat tone areas.

This project is a time consuming one, the students will often be painting for at least 6 class periods - but even this amount of class time does not represent much time in terms of painting. The students adapt though and truly do a very good job even in this shortened time table.

Sketchbook Project: Who I am.

When a new middle school art class begins, it begins with this sketchbook project. The "Who I am" project is one that is repeated through the grades and it is the only assignment that is common among the middle school classes. The reason we begin our semester or year with this project is that it is a great way to get to know a little bit about the students. They are asked to make a page using the things that make you you.

In my example that I share with the class I show them the places I have lived, the foods I like, and the hobbies I enjoy. This project offers a great deal of value in that not only does it familiarize us with each other, but it also helps kick start the students' creative processes. The students draw, color, and design in this project, they also learn about the unity of a whole page - instead of leaving "floating details" that do not feel or look like part of the design.