6th Grade Shadow Plays - The First Reel!

For the last couple classes 6th Grade students have worked in pairs and individually to draw backdrops using a transparency sheet and sharpies, and a cast of cut-out characters using card stock paper, laminate, sharpies, and popsicle sticks to create their own Shadow Play short film.

Thursday, students completed their experiments with color, design, and movement while using light to bring their artwork to life and we began filming.

Visit the 6th Grade Art Studio Page to view other posted films and future posts as editing is finalized on these shadowy shorts.

Printmaking - Paper Stencil Screen Prints on Fabric

7th Grade Colorful Stained Glass Designs
7th grade students have begun to design their own stained glass windows. Using simple straight-sided shapes, students were encouraged to consider symmetry when filling their frame with their design. Students used geometric stencils and rulers to mark out the shapes that would represent their cut glass.. Designs drawn on paper were transferred onto laminate and color was applied using sharpie. Students were encouraged to view their mini design using the overhead projector to simulate sunlight through glass.

Today, students continued finalizing their (first) designs and continued their design into a larger 81/2"X11" format. Students used the same principles as before, designing on paper first then using a transparency overlay with colored sharpies to explore color combinations and compositions. 

6th Grade Shadow Play!

A couple weeks ago, 6th grade students were introduced to shadow puppets in the screening of Shadow Puppets, a short film. For the last couple classes students have worked in pairs and individually to draw backdrops using a transparency sheet and sharpies, and a cast of cut-out characters using card stock paper, laminate, sharpies, and popsicle sticks to create their own Shadow Play short film.

Today students completed their experiments with color, design, and movement while using light to bring their artwork to life and we began filming. Movies will be posted on the 6th Grade Studio Page as they are edited and ready for viewing.

8th Grade Gets a Bright Idea
Last week, 8th grade students were introduced to the process of transferring photographs from a printed copy onto watercolor paper. Today, students began transferring photos onto light muslin cloth that can be sewn onto tote-bags, t-shirts, pillows, and more; all skill-building techniques in preparation for the spring repurposed fashion show.

Students used magazine images, fabric, a folding tool, and gel medium (non-toxic) to transfer pristine photos into grainy reinterpretations of the original. Unlike the watercolor paper, the fabric did not need to be presoaked and the magazine images did not require a lot of rubbing to transfer the image, but still necessitated a lot of patience because the thin magazine paper could tear.  Unlike the colorful and detailed  transfers of inkjet images onto watercolor paper, the magazine images on the fabric were hazy and cloudy. Students and I discovered that a little light brought the image out distinctly. Next week students will transfer inkjet images on fabric to see if the results will be clearer and brighter than the magazine print transfers.

7th Grade Enlarges Their Ideas

As an introduction to the future creation of small 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.

Last week students began to design their own versions of a stained glass window. Using simple straight-sided shapes, students were encouraged to consider symmetry when filling their frame with their design. Students used geometric stencils and rulers to mark out the shapes that would represent their cut glass.. Designs drawn on paper were transferred onto laminate and color was applied using sharpie. Students were encouraged to view their mini design using the overhead projector to simulate sunlight through glass.

Today, students continued finalizing their (first) designs and continued their design into a larger 81/2"X11" format. Students used the same principles as before, designing on paper first then using a transparency overlay with colored sharpies to explore color combinations and compositions. Some students to a design break and worked on color composition filling-in a blank stained glass pattern with color.

6th Grade Prepares Their Shadows for the Light

Last week, 6th grade students were introduced to shadow puppets in the screening of Shadow Puppets, a short film. This child created short film illustrates some basic tricks for telling a simple story through shadow imagery and movement. Through a brief in-class demonstration, students were shown how to use an overhead projector to project a shadow puppet story on the Art Studio wall. Students worked in pairs and individually to draw backdrops using a transparency sheet and sharpies, and creating props and a cast of cut-out characters using card stock paper, laminate, sharpies, and popsicle sticks.

Today students continued to experiment with color, design, and movement while using light to bring their artwork to life. Students are finalizing their work form filming next week.

8th Grade Transfers Images and Their Plants
8th grade students were introduced to the process of transferring photographs from a printed copy onto watercolor paper. In the coming weeks students will begin transferring photos onto light muslin cloth that can be sewn onto tote-bags, t-shirts, pillows, and more; all in preparation for the spring repurposed fashion show.

Students used inkjet photos, watercolor paper, a folding tool, and gel medium (non-toxic) to transfer pristine photos into grainy reinterpretations of the original. Students found that the process required pre-soaked paper and a lot of patience rubbing the image with the folding tool to get a satisfying end result. All (including myself) were amazed each time the transferred image was revealed.

8th graders also began their class by sketching their own hand-built flowerpot (with pre-potted plants placed in or beside them) and then by planting their flowering plant into their finished pots. Students considered the needs of their plant based on the size and configuration of their pot. Some students found themselves filling in extra space, while others found the need to reduce their plants original dirt amount. Students will attend to their plants weekly to clip away dead debris and water.