Here's an engaging art museum activity that's perfect for kids of any age. It's low-cost, low-prep, and guaranteed to get kids talking! Last weekend I was thrilled to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. (The BMA has the largest collection of works by Henri Mattisse - in the world! But more on that another time!) In honor of Valentine's Day, they were giving out these paper … [Read more...]
How to Have an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting
An artist will combine some or all of the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color) to create a painting, drawing, or sculpture. Having an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting is a fun way to teach these concepts. When you teach the Elements of Art, you give your students a common vocabulary with which to talk about art. The same vocabulary … [Read more...]
How to Play the Elements of Art & Principles of Design Memory Game
I'm always on the lookout for creative, new ways to teach my students the Elements of Art and Principles of Design (affiliate link). You may have played a version of this game before Recently, I attended a bridal shower where we played a memory game.... the "put-a-bunch-of … [Read more...]
An Abstract “Musical Composition”!
Abstract art is a great way to teach composition and the Elements of Art... without the intimidation that can occur when striving for realism. Take some musical symbols and create a random layout... and have fun with it!! Materials:12x18 black construction paperOil pastels (we used the Pentel 16 color set)Directions:1. Sketch your design using a white oil pastel. Include at … [Read more...]
Tangle Drawings
Tangle drawing by Krista, grade 4Tangle drawings are like sophisticated “doodles”, with an endless variety of possibilities! Visit Zentangle.com (and its companion Flickr site) to be inspired and see how one couple has turned these simple, yet sophisticated drawings into a world-wide craze! Vocabulary: Tangle - a confused mass of something that is twisted … [Read more...]