Oil pastels just might be my favorite Art medium for kids! Both set-up and clean-up are quick and easy, and with a few specific instructions, every student can achieve great (if not totally charming!) results. Here are a few tips to help your students find success with oil pastels. You will probably find yourself repeating these instructions over and over, but eventually it … [Read more...]
My Favorite Eraser Ever
It may seem like a small thing (and in terms of actual size, it is!) but every artist needs a good eraser and not all erasers are created equal! My personal favorite is the Sanford Magic Rub eraser.This vinyl eraser is non-abrasive so it won't tear or lift the surface of the paper no matter how "enthusiastically" your students erase with it, and it won't smudge or harden with … [Read more...]
What Inspires You?
While it's great to follow tried and true plans for a successful Art lesson, it can be fun to come up with a new project on your own, based on something that inspires you. Where do you get inspiration from? It's different for everyone, but anything that catches your eye (from the shapes and patterns of nature to the shadows cast on the building next door) can offer potential … [Read more...]
Take Avantage of Your Local Art Talent!
I hope you know that I mean "take advantage of" in a good way! Every community has its share of local talent, so why not bring some of that influence into your classroom? Sometimes it helps our students to hear enthusiasm about Art coming from someone other than us! Inviting a local artist into your classroom can be an inspiring and even unforgettable experience for your … [Read more...]
Help for those Hard to Pronounce Names!
"The Virgin and Child with Saints" by TitianHave you ever taught a lesson on one of those famous artists of the past, and felt unsure of exactly how to pronounce his name? I know I have....after all, many of those artists lived hundreds of years ago in countries that speak languages other than our own. Well, help is here, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Now when … [Read more...]
Tips for Working with Watercolors
Watercolors are a great medium for students to learn about color mixing and applying paint. Here are a few things I've learned about kids and watercolors that may be helpful to you....First of all, the brand does matter! This goes for watercolors or any other type of art supply. When a choice of brand is available, I always try to test and compare. Even in kids' art … [Read more...]
Autumn Leaves with Crayon Resist
This fun autumn leaves art project is perfect for grades 1 & up. It's easy to do, everyone can feel successful and the results are beautiful. Try one yourself! Autumn Leaves Art Project with Crayon Resist inspired by Andy Goldsworthy Materials: • 12x18 white construction paper• black crayon (or oil pastel), broken in half with the paper peeled off• … [Read more...]
More Quilts!
I wanted to post a few more pictures of the quilts we made using KidsKreations for the printing of our students' artwork. These quilts were amazing, and unfortunately these shots don't really do them justice. I wish I had better pictures of these, but at the time this was the best I could do. But at least this will give you an idea of how we laid them out and used contrasting … [Read more...]
Supplies for K-6 Art
In tough economic times, it's good to know that teaching Art doesn't have to cost a lot of money! With school budgets under increasingly careful scrutiny, it's more important than ever to "get the most bang for your buck" when it comes to consumable supplies. The items pictured here are all inexpensive, basic yet versatile supplies for teaching Art. These supplies cover about … [Read more...]
Tricks of the Trade – Wet Wipes!
Time in the classroom is valuable, so if you can spend less time on set-up and get your students working sooner, that's a good thing! Wet wipes can help you accomplish this. Making art can be messy, so you will often find yourself trying to protect your desks and other work surfaces. Covering desks with newspaper is time consuming, not to mention that all those stories and … [Read more...]