2nd Grade Project: 6 Line Hand Mandala

What is a mandala? Mandala comes from the Sanskrit meaning "circle". The mandalas we use are exactly that: circles. This design technique contains the students design in an aesthetically pleasing circular shape. In the circles, students will both trace their hands and fill the negative space of the circle with pattern.

 After the the mandala has been filled with pattern students will color their mandala using crayons. The completed mandalas will be cut out so that only the circle of the mandala remains.

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.