7th Grade Manipulates Metals and Learns Stained Glass Basics

7th Grade students began class this week, with a 10 minute observation contour drawing of a common Art Studio tool, e.g. scissors, 3-hole punch, stapler, and others. Students remarked on the ease of replicating the lines of these objects in proper perspective compared to past objects such as the potted flowers or the jars of misc objects. The clean lines and sharp corners of today's drawing subjects gave students a chance to achieve higher realism and strengthen their mark-making confidence, while still increasing their skills with a sustained 10 minute exercise. Students needing an extra challenge were given a stylus pen to create their sketch without the possibility of erasing.

7th Grade students will be working with metal and glass this fall into spring. Over the coming months students will be given lessons to increase their skills in working with metal and glass, cumulating into projects such as jewelry, slumped glass bowls, and stained glass windows.

Today, students continued to work with embossing metal, wire, and other materials creating complex art cards showcasing their explorations in miniature works of art. As an introdution to the future creation of mini stained glass windows, students were shown a simple youtube tutorial on "How to Build a Stained Glass Window." Students learned about the basics of creating a stained glass plan, cutting the glass, framing the pieces, soldering, and completing a window from scratch.