Abstract Tree Silhouette

In this project students start by watching a Prezi that I created introducing them to the basics of what abstract art is and why we create it. Students then create a bare tree silouette with branches that strech to the edges of the paper. Students use black oil pastels to thicken thier outlines. Students then add a different color of oil pastel to every space created by the tree branches giving the work an abstract feel.

MR. PICASSO HEAD

I recently found the website Mr. Picasso Head, which is awesome! I gave a brief history about Pablo Picasso. We had just done a lesson about abstract art so this was a good transition to talk about how cubism relates to abstract art and how it differs. So we compared and contrasted, then we went on the web and using out Intelliboard each student chose a part to create a class picasso head. Next we did out sketchbook connection, we sketched two of Picasso's famous portraits, then the students created two of thier own cubist portraits. We then chose 1 of the four for our final project. We drew it out on large paper, outlined with sharpie, then painted with tempera paints. I think they turned out really neat and the students enjoyed the project. They gained key concepts about art history and art styles while using higher level thinking from past lessons to compare, contrast and create.

ABSTRACT BLOCK PAINTING

This is a kindergarten lesson. I use it an intro to tempera painting. We discuss the different kinds of paint and then compare and contrast their effects on paper. We also learn and look at some abstract artworks. Then we create one of our own. I tell the students that they need to think about the colors they choose and how they move thier brushes.

ART IN MOTION

This is a lesson I just finished with 2nd grade. We explored movement and rhythm in art, we also discussed what is means to create abstract art. This lesson also provided a good time to discuss the different process and products an artist can get by using different mediums, we discovered the differnces in watercolor and tempera painting.

The students really got into not thinking and just creating movements that went with music that I played. I chose classical music that had many different beats and rhythms so that could reflect in thier painting style. The paintings looked way cool when they were all put together. To wrap up we looked at the work of Paul Klee and compared and contrasted the students work with his.

Lines, Lines, Everywhere Are Lines

This lesson has students study a picture and pick out varieties of lines. The students then go on a line hunt: they create a journal of lines then scout inside the school on one page and outside on another, copying the lines that they see. Then when we return to class the students take turns drawing a line on the board. We see who "hunted" out the most lines. The second day of the lesson students use popsickle sticks and tempera paint to create an abstract line painting.
This lesson takes approx. 2 4o minute classes. The hunt is good for kinesthetic learners and gets students active. They can use their line journal to help them while painting. They can try new things like swirling the stick to make blended lines. I really liked this lesson, my students were interested and they all turned out very well.