Stacked, Patterned Teacups

This project will work ideally on A3 white paper, but you can use whatever you have available.

Step 1: Draw your teacups(in the centre of your page) using the 'How to' instructions. DON'T add your patterns just yet, if you have inks or watercolours available to paint with. If you don't have any, then do your patterns in pencil first and then outline with a black marker.

Step 2: If you have ink/watercolours, paint each cup a different colour,leave to dry and then add different patterns to each cup(use pencil first and then outline with black marker). If you don't have inks/watercolours, then colour over the top of your outlined patterns with coloured pencil.

Step 3:Add a line to show the table that your teacups are sitting on. Colour your table with one, solid colour. Add a picture frame to the 'wall' in the background and add a mini version of your teacups picture.

Step 4: Add some colour (with inks, watercolours or coloured pencils) to your background. You can also add a pattern to your background if you choose.

Patterned Tree Frogs

Materials:
Paper, pencil, Fine black pen, Brown crayons or coloured pencils for the branch, Ink (or watered down acrylic paint. If you don't have either of those, just use coloured pencil, but do your patterns first and colour lightly over the top).

Step 1. Follow the drawing prompt sheet to draw your tree frog and branch(you could use A4 or A4 paper).

Step 2. If you are using ink or paint, then use a mix of yellows and greens to paint your frog. If you are using coloured pencils, skip this step and go onto your patterns and come back to this step when you are done.

Step 3. Use your fine black pen to add lines of different patterns into your frog.

Step 4. Add a blue sky (using either ink/paint or coloured pencil)and some colour into the branch (you can use crayons or pencils for this).

Step 5 *Optional: Mount your work onto a different coloured background and add some tree frog footprints around the edge.

Student samples:

Online Art Learning

I will be looking at putting a number of step by step art lessons on my blog that can be completed with limited materials for those children who may not be able to currently attend school. Watch this space!

Collaborating with Nature

This is a great project to make use of whatever outdoor space you have. If you are able, have a look at some examples of Nature/Ephemeral Art and the art of Day Schildkret. 'Spring Awakening' - Day Schildkret, 2018

Process: Use a container to collect a number of natural items from the garden. Try to find items that have fallen, rather than picking anything from living plants. Make sure you have an adult o check that all of your items are safe to use. Project 1:Use you items to create an image. It could be a face, a landscape or just a pattern. Get an adult to take a photograph of your finished artwork. Project 2: Use the same items and glue them down with PVA glue onto a piece of paper or card (you could use the back of a cereal box. Use a pencil to draw extra details to incorporate your natural items into a finished picture.

Class Samples:

My Drawing Challenges!

This is my 'go to' solution for my early finishers! Plus it works as a bit of art therapy for me in the mornings!! I do either levelled drawing challenges around a particular theme or a variety of different drawing projects (usually inspired by an artist, a book, a specific skill or an art movement). Having these challenges means that students who finish early are focussed on a skill building activity rather than on distracting their friends who are still working!

Clay and Glass Projects

I think this is the third time I have attempted this project. I work with my Grade 5/6's and I keep it fairly open. They are able to make an ornament or a piece of jewellery and they have the option to add glass to their creation through the use of glass marbles. So far, so good and it has been successful every time we have done it. No major disasters (the glass will often crack but this is usually a nice effect!) and the kids are usually really pleased with their efforts! A couple of tips: Use the same type of marble, stick to clear glass ones instead of coloured ones and explicitly teach your students to create a large enough 'bowl' space for their marble to melt into.

Falling into Perspective....re-visiting an old favourite!

This is one of those standby, can't fail projects that I do every couple of years, usually with my Grade 1's or 2's. These examples were done by one of my Grade 2 classes and I absolutely adore them!!