April 4, 2013
6th graders continue developing skills using one point perspective in their drawings. Students viewed demonstrations of the technique last week, learning the steps and rules necessary to transform a 2D surface into a 3D space.
Most valuable rule, all vertical lines are drawn parallel to each other at 90 degree angles; otherwise the drawer finds that all of their objects are leaning to and fro.
Students who have completed a room with a minimum of 1 window, 1 door, and 2 pieces of furniture, moved onto 3D words using one-point perspective.
One parameter for this assignment is to "finish" the drawing, giving consideration to detail, line, and color. This mini exercise is meant to increase student focus for the prolonged drawing project beginning after Spring Break.
March 28, 2013
6th Grade Looks for the Vanishing Point
6th graders applied their minds and mark making skills to the technique of one point perspective drawing. Students viewed demonstrations of the technique, learning the steps and rules necessary to transform a 2D surface into a 3D space.
Most valuable rule, all vertical lines are drawn parallel to each other at 90 degree angles; otherwise the drawer finds that all of their objects are leaning to and fro.
Most valuable rule, all vertical lines are drawn parallel to each other at 90 degree angles; otherwise the drawer finds that all of their objects are leaning to and fro.
One Point Perspective Basics using a computer.
One Point Perspective Video using pencil, paper, and ruler.
February 14, 2013
6th Grade: One-Of-A-Kind Hand Made Table Lamps
All 6th Grade table lamps will be alight and on-view at this year's TBS Student Art Show.
January 31, 2013
6th Grade: One-Of-A-Kind Hand Made Table Lamps
Over the last few months, 6th Grade students explored multiple materials that can create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they created.
6th grade students are making a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for the lampshade. The explorations students engaged in strengthened their overall understanding of the materials they used to design and make their lamps. Students used hand building techniques to construct the base for their table lamps.
All 6th Grade table lamps will be alight and on-view at this year's TBS Student Art Show.
January 31, 2013
6th Grade Coils Clay; Building a Strong Lamp Base
6th Grade students have explored multimedia construction (art cards), paper and light creations (shadow plays), and are now building with clay coils to create sturdy forms for their lamp bases. 6th grade students explored color and pattern with light during their shadow play experiments and productions; now they will be designing table lamps that contain an illuminated surprise. During and prior to the shadow plays, students worked with tyvek and paper silhouettes to explore the element of surprise when an image is placed inside a lamp shade versus being a decoration on the outside of the shade.
For now, students concentrate on scoring and slipping each coil to the one before it while keeping an artist's eye on their construction and their design goals
For now, students concentrate on scoring and slipping each coil to the one before it while keeping an artist's eye on their construction and their design goals
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.
Revisit the 6th Grade Art Studio Page to view future posts as editing is finalized on these shadowy shorts.
Charlotte
Emily, Chimi, Nora, & Imogen
Nick & Charlie
Sterling
Imogen
Stay Tuned for MORE Shadow Plays!
Stay Tuned for MORE Shadow Plays!
November 15, 2012
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.
November 8, 2012
Last week, 6th grade students were introduced to shadow puppets in the screening of Shadow Puppets, a short film. This child creating 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.
October 25, 2012
6th grade students were introduced to shadow puppets in the screening of Shadow Puppets, a short film. This child creating 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.
Students experimented with the use of color, design, and movement while using light to bring their artwork to life.
Over the coming months, 6th Grade students will explore multiple materials that create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they create. Ultimately, 6th grade students will create a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for structure. The explorations students engage in over the next month will strengthen their overall understanding of the materials they will use to design and make their lamp.
Students experimented with the use of color, design, and movement while using light to bring their artwork to life.
Over the coming months, 6th Grade students will explore multiple materials that create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they create. Ultimately, 6th grade students will create a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for structure. The explorations students engage in over the next month will strengthen their overall understanding of the materials they will use to design and make their lamp.
October 18, 2012
Over the coming months, 6th Grade students will explore multiple materials that create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they create. Ultimately, 6th grade students will create a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for structure. The explorations students engage in over the next month will strengthen their overall understanding of the materials they will use to design and make their lamp.
Today students used small sheets of tyvek and a light box to explore the possibilities of color and imagery when materials are added. Students used watercolor paint, sharpies, construction paper cut outs, laminate strips, embossing metal designs, and more to explore the artistic possibilities when light is added.
October 11, 2012
6th Grade Designs in Color
6th 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.
Over the coming months, 6th Grade students will explore multiple materials that create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they create. Ultimately, 6th grade students will create a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for structure. The explorations students engage in over the next month will strengthen their overall understanding of the materials they will use to design and make their lamp.
Over the coming months, 6th Grade students will explore multiple materials that create layers of color and design, and the effects of light and shadow on the layers they create. Ultimately, 6th grade students will create a lamp from "scratch" (cord is included) using tyvek, watercolor, silhouettes, and other materials for structure. The explorations students engage in over the next month will strengthen their overall understanding of the materials they will use to design and make their lamp.
Today, students continued using multi-layer, multi-media, complex layout techniques, 6th grade students are applying their metal and watercolor skills to creating a finished art card. Students were challenged to create an art card (a work of art that is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size) that had a minimum of 2 visible layers, 3 materials, and structured as either a card with folded panels or in a dyptic, tryptic, etc card set.
October 4, 2012
6th Grade Take Experimental Processess and Create Miniature Artworks
Using multi-layer, multi-media, complex layout techniques, 6th grade students are applying their metal and watercolor skills to creating a finished art card. Students were challenged to create an art card (a work of art that is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size) that had a minimum of 2 visible layers, 3 materials, and structured as either a card with folded panels or in a dyptic, tryptic, etc card set.
Students rose to the challenge creating complicated visual series, lining folded panels in metal, creating latches for miniature doors and all with stunning color, intentional compositions, and inviting content.
6th Grade Take Experimental Processess and Create Miniature Artworks
Using multi-layer, multi-media, complex layout techniques, 6th grade students are applying their metal and watercolor skills to creating a finished art card. Students were challenged to create an art card (a work of art that is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size) that had a minimum of 2 visible layers, 3 materials, and structured as either a card with folded panels or in a dyptic, tryptic, etc card set.
Students rose to the challenge creating complicated visual series, lining folded panels in metal, creating latches for miniature doors and all with stunning color, intentional compositions, and inviting content.
September 27, 2012
6th Grade Adds the Element of Surprise and Explores a Visual Series
Continuing to explore their metal and watercolor skills from last week, students were challenged to create an art card (a work of art that is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size) that has a minimum of 2 visible layers, 3 materials, and is structured as either a card with folded panels, or in a dyptic or tryptic card set.
Students were introduced to the process of adding additional panels to the 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" standard art card to create doors that open onto a hidden area. A folded art card can be of any shape or size when unfolded, but the entire piece must still be able to reduce back to the standard 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".
They were also shown how the visual story can be continued or strengthen by creating a dyptic or tryptic using multiple art cards side by side in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
They were also shown how the visual story can be continued or strengthen by creating a dyptic or tryptic using multiple art cards side by side in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
September 20, 2012
6th Grade Experiments with Elements and Pigments
6th Graders were given the opportunity to explore some old materials in new ways utilizing the Art Card "canvas." Demonstrating a resist technique using wax resist (for ceramics) and water color, students watched as an almost invisible image came to life with the addition of liquid watercolors. The wax resist is a liquid and can be painted with a a paintbrush onto watercolor paper in any desired image or design. Applying liquid watercolor paint on and around the dried wax resist causes the watercolor to slide off or bead up soaking only into the paper; unwanted beads can be dabbed off with a paper towel or kleenex.
Students were also given an embossing metal demonstration using a uniball pen to emboss a design into the metal and to add color with sharpies to the indented (embossed) lines and spaces. The result is a multidimensional image with added sheen. Students were also shown how to layer their designs using an exacto knife to cut away areas of the watercolor and/or the embossing metal to show the design underneath. This layering technique will assist them in future classes to create a multilayered "finished" Art Card.
September 13, 20126th Graders Get Their Hands Dirty!
After their 10 minute observation contour drawing exercise, 6th Grade students watched and commented as I demonstrated the techniques for preparing clay and "throwing"
it on the wheel to create vessels. Students were shown the mechanics of the pottery wheel, the bat, and the tools needed to work on the wheel.
September 13, 20126th Grade Chooses Their Subject
6th Graders in the 2012-2013 school year will be asked to supplement their studio time with 5-15 minute exercises or project research. These "Weekly Studio Tasks" will be assigned in class, and recorded in the students AB planners. All tasks are posted on the Studio Blog and any handouts or worksheets will be provided in hard copy and digital form.
As their first task 6th grade students were asked to bring in an object that would be their drawing subject during the next class observation contour drawing exercise. Students were asked to consider bringing something that had personal (not monetary) value or interest to them. These objects were arranged by the students for their 10 minute study and the sketches were completed in their Middle School sketchbooks.
The student sketchbooks are used over the course of the 3 years to graduation. They are a class time tool that remains in the studio for use during drawing exercises, material and technique notes, and project planning. Students decorate the outside of their books to their own tastes using many materials, such as paper, cray-pas, duct tape, and even spray paint as shown in the slide show below.
6th Grade students spent roughly 18 hours from October - February creating unique time pieces, presented at this year's TBS Art Show - Imagine/Reimagine. Again Writer's Workshop and the Art Studio combined their lesson skills and assisted students in writing their artist statements that will shed light on their process and thoughts while working on and completing their clocks.
After their 10 minute observation contour drawing exercise, 6th Grade students watched and commented as I demonstrated the techniques for preparing clay and "throwing"
it on the wheel to create vessels. Students were shown the mechanics of the pottery wheel, the bat, and the tools needed to work on the wheel.
Demonstration included attaching the batt to the wheel, the perfect speed for centering the clay, how to center your clay (don't let the clay bully you!), tricks for shaping the clay into different forms, and how to remove the vessel from the batt. Today students worked on wedging their clay, centering in on the wheel, and attempting many manipulations before sacrificing their "muddy" creations to be reconstituted for future use and giving the wheel to the next eager student. Ultimately, 6th graders will get the opportunity to create various types of vessels over the school year.
September 13, 20126th Grade Chooses Their Subject
6th Graders in the 2012-2013 school year will be asked to supplement their studio time with 5-15 minute exercises or project research. These "Weekly Studio Tasks" will be assigned in class, and recorded in the students AB planners. All tasks are posted on the Studio Blog and any handouts or worksheets will be provided in hard copy and digital form.
As their first task 6th grade students were asked to bring in an object that would be their drawing subject during the next class observation contour drawing exercise. Students were asked to consider bringing something that had personal (not monetary) value or interest to them. These objects were arranged by the students for their 10 minute study and the sketches were completed in their Middle School sketchbooks.
The student sketchbooks are used over the course of the 3 years to graduation. They are a class time tool that remains in the studio for use during drawing exercises, material and technique notes, and project planning. Students decorate the outside of their books to their own tastes using many materials, such as paper, cray-pas, duct tape, and even spray paint as shown in the slide show below.
September 6, 20126th Grade in the Art Studio
6th Graders enjoyed their first experiences with the Middle School Studio expectations and exploration possibilities in store for their next 3 years at the Berkeley School. Beginning with a 10 minute observation contour drawing, in their new sketchbooks, students tackled the complications of hand-eye coordination, representing proper proportions, and self-doubt. The objects sketched today will be revisited once a month until the new year to track changes and developments in their looking and drawing skills.
6th Graders enjoyed their first experiences with the Middle School Studio expectations and exploration possibilities in store for their next 3 years at the Berkeley School. Beginning with a 10 minute observation contour drawing, in their new sketchbooks, students tackled the complications of hand-eye coordination, representing proper proportions, and self-doubt. The objects sketched today will be revisited once a month until the new year to track changes and developments in their looking and drawing skills.
Final 6th Grade (2011-2012) Art Pieces Presented in this year's TBS Art Show
6th Grade students spent roughly 18 hours from October - February creating unique time pieces, presented at this year's TBS Art Show - Imagine/Reimagine. Again Writer's Workshop and the Art Studio combined their lesson skills and assisted students in writing their artist statements that will shed light on their process and thoughts while working on and completing their clocks.
Drawing Exercises & Time for Plans
6th Grade Students explore their drawing skills and their visual and reading comprehension skills playing stress free games like Pictionary, Exquisite Corpse, and Scribblish.
In a collaboration with Norma Johnson writer's workshop and the visual arts studio were incorporated into a mask making lesson plan meant to provide 6th grade students with the opportunity to explore their understanding of identity when presenting themselves to the world and when connecting with others in their communities.
Studio Students spend 10 minutes of silent observation drawing at the beginning of each class.
6th Grade students are making clocks as their main project this year, adding their own signature to the traditional presentation and interpretations of time and the clock.
2011 6th Grade Optical Illusion Investigations and Depot Mural Project
6th Graders were introduced to varying techniques of drawing optical illusions. Some involve manipulation of space, the creation of dual images into one and others create a sense of motion in a static image.
Students consulted the depot wall space to the right, outside the Art Studio's large wooden doors. Once the students reflected on this site visit, original ideas to create an illusion that appeared in motion were changed to manipulating the space into a one point perspective illusion involving a tunnel. Due to the Depot's heritage as a railroad depot, the tunnel was quickly established to be a railroad tunnel.
Face/Vase Fence
Students also plan to create a fencing around the plots of dirt adjacent to the depot wall using an old optical illusion, is it a face or is it a vase? Students will use their own silhouette to outline a vase on wood, the vase cutout will act as the post in the fence, and spread out accordingly the the vase posts will cause the viewer to see either the vases or the 6th grades' faces depending on how the imagery is interpreted visually.
6th Grade Drawing the Face and Silhouette Self-Portraits
6th Graders were introduced to proportion techniques to build their understanding of the layout of the human face. After watching demonstrations, students drew stylized human faces on a proportion grid. The purpose of the exercise was to apply proportion rules, such as the space between a humans eyes is equal to the size of one eye, the mouth is located half way between the nose and chin, etc., but students were encouraged to apply previously covered shading techniques, establishing a light source, hatching and crosshatching.
2011 Art Show Preparations and the Completion of the Self-Portrait Diorama
6th Graders were introduced to varying techniques of drawing optical illusions. Some involve manipulation of space, the creation of dual images into one and others create a sense of motion in a static image.
Students consulted the depot wall space to the right, outside the Art Studio's large wooden doors. Once the students reflected on this site visit, original ideas to create an illusion that appeared in motion were changed to manipulating the space into a one point perspective illusion involving a tunnel. Due to the Depot's heritage as a railroad depot, the tunnel was quickly established to be a railroad tunnel.
Face/Vase Fence
Students also plan to create a fencing around the plots of dirt adjacent to the depot wall using an old optical illusion, is it a face or is it a vase? Students will use their own silhouette to outline a vase on wood, the vase cutout will act as the post in the fence, and spread out accordingly the the vase posts will cause the viewer to see either the vases or the 6th grades' faces depending on how the imagery is interpreted visually.
6th Grade Drawing the Face and Silhouette Self-Portraits
6th Graders were introduced to proportion techniques to build their understanding of the layout of the human face. After watching demonstrations, students drew stylized human faces on a proportion grid. The purpose of the exercise was to apply proportion rules, such as the space between a humans eyes is equal to the size of one eye, the mouth is located half way between the nose and chin, etc., but students were encouraged to apply previously covered shading techniques, establishing a light source, hatching and crosshatching.
2011 Art Show Preparations and the Completion of the Self-Portrait Diorama
Students in the 6th-7th grades worked in the first weeks of March to complete their final efforts on their Diorama project. Artist statements detailing the students relationship to their diorama scene acted as a conduit giving the viewer insight to the connection between the artist and their work.
Doodle 4 Google Final Touches
Students in the 6th-8th grade challenged themselves to adapt the Google logo into their own interpretation of their goals for their future. As students developed their graphic designs, and wrote their artist statements many students found that their own life goals involved global goals for peace, environmental health, and to assist those in need.
Drawing Games and Observation Drawings:
6th graders flex their mark making muscles.
6th Grade Studio Time September 2010 - February 2011
See "Focus" Page for process/project slides and information.