The 10 Commandments of Drawing for Kids are a set of truths so universal they apply to every artist no matter their age. These are the basics that form the foundation of any drawing practice. Of course there will always be more to learn (new styles, techniques, etc.), but these concepts are the “non-negotiables”. Encourage your students to adopt these 10 … [Read more...]
Search Results for: positive and negative space
TIP #1: The Positives of Negative Space
Whenever a child has trouble drawing something, encourage them to focus on drawing the shape of the negative space instead. I like to explain "negative space" as the area around the thing you're drawing - the space that's touching it but not part of it. To help kids visualize this, you can stand in front of them with one hand on your hip and your feet about 12" - 18" apart. … [Read more...]
Basic Collage with Positive and Negative Shapes
I do this project with my first graders every year to help them understand the concept of positive and negative shapes. This project also teaches symmetry and offers important practice in cutting on a fold and applying glue. First graders are often surprised by the shapes they see when they unfold their papers - they are some pretty cute kids! Materials: 9x12 black (or … [Read more...]
Positive/Negative Space Collage #2
This project is similar to the last one I posted, but this one has a mirror image that works vertically as well as horizontally. It's really not that much more difficult, especially if you've already done the first one, but it's definitely impressive! (Both are adapted from the book Wild & Wonderful Art Lessons by Gene Baer, a great resource which unfortunately is long out … [Read more...]
Positive/Negative Space Collage #1
Cut paper collage is a great way to teach the concepts of positive/negative space and symmetry. This lesson is inspired by the art of Japanese 'Notan', which emphasizes the contrast between light and dark. Each student's project will look unique, everyone will feel successful, and it's not even messy! You can't beat that combination! 1. Each student will need two pieces … [Read more...]
Negative Space Tree Drawings
6th Grade Drawings of the Trees in our Parking Lot! This project is ideal for that time of year when the trees have lost their leaves and the new leaves haven't sprouted yet. Kids love any excuse to get out of the classroom, so if you can, go outside and have them do the first part of this project "from life". If that's not possible, or you don't have any good trees … [Read more...]
TIP #34: 4 Activities to Help Kids “See Like an Artist”
Learning to “see like an artist” is all about training your brain to respond ”mindfully" to what you see. It's about looking carefully and noticing lines, shapes, colors and values as you look at things. When students learn to “see like an artist” it enables them to better translate what they see onto their paper or canvas. This is also a valuable life skill for … [Read more...]
Shadow Tracing
Shadow tracing is a great way to get outside on a bright sunny day, explore positive and negative space, and have some fun with color at the same time. Shadow tracing is low stress for students (2nd grade and up) and has minimal prep for teachers. Students can usually finish one of these paintings in a single class period, or you may want to let them do a few tracings the … [Read more...]
Stained Glass Name Designs
This is a simple project, and a great introduction to the concept of positive and negative space for younger kids. Any project using their names is typically a guaranteed hit!!Materials:White paper, any sizePencil and eraserBlack chisel tip markersWater-based markers in a variety of colorsVocabulary:Positive Space - the object or objects you are drawing (in this case, the … [Read more...]
Grade 2 Portfolios – “My Many Colored Days”
This project is a great way to use last year's broken crayons! You can even assign students the job of peeling paper off the broken crayons just for this purpose.... some kids LOVE to do this!! "My Many Colored Days", written (but not illustrated) by the beloved Dr. Seuss, is the inspiration for my Grade 2 portfolio lesson. Dr. Seuss wrote this text more than 20 years before … [Read more...]