Helping kids review the Elements of Art & Principles of Design is easy when you make a game of it! This beach ball scavenger hunt is adaptable across a wide range of ages. I’ve used it from 1st grade through high school by customizing my questions or directives for the students I’m using it with. This activity works inside or outside, whether you have just a few … [Read more...]
Search Results for: positive and negative space
TIP Vault
Sign up to have my “TIP of the Month" email sent directly to your inbox! You can view all of my previous TIPS here in the TIP Vault. Click on a TIP to read more! … [Read more...]
TIP #21: An “Outline” for Better Contour Drawings
A contour drawing is a line drawing that focuses on the outlines, or edges, of things. It's set apart from other more realistic drawing styles in that it doesn't have any shading. Contour drawing is often the first drawing technique students learn because it's so foundational to drawing well in any style. Here is a helpful “outline” for better contour drawings you can share … [Read more...]
TIP #15: 4 Habits for Better Sketchbooks
In my early days as an art teacher, I never considered what it might take for my students to have "better sketchbooks". In fact, I remember giving my first middle school students their first sketchbook. I offered a few ideas for drawings and a deadline to return their sketchbooks at the end of the semester. Then, I turned my students loose to fill their sketchbooks at home, in … [Read more...]
Puzzled About Creative Gift Ideas?
With the holiday season coming up fast, I'll be sharing some art-related gift ideas you might not have thought of! These gifts will encourage creative problem solving, divergent thinking, and all kinds of skills that are necessary for art and life! This is part one in a series of posts for creative gift giving. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss discovering a perfect … [Read more...]
Kaleidoscope Lettering – New & Improved!
While I love creating new art projects to keep things fresh and interesting, some of the older projects are just so good, they’re worth repeating year after year…. which also gives me the chance to keep improving them! Kaleidoscope Lettering is one of those projects! It uses the concepts of bilateral (reflective) symmetry, tessellation, and positive/negative space to … [Read more...]
Kaleidoscope Lettering Design
Upper grade "Allison" , colored in warm colors with colored pencilsLower grade "Allison", colored in cool colors with markers (the same lettering, but traced only four times instead of eight!) Combine art and math concepts to create an engaging project with a variety of applications! Kaleidoscope Lettering uses the concepts of bilateral (reflective) symmetry, tessellation, … [Read more...]
Shadow Tracing
Shadow tracing is a project that students from about 2nd or 3rd grade and up will love doing. It fits right in with discussions about composition, color theory, and positive/negative shapes. In the interest of full disclosure, one of the reasons students love it so much is that they have to go outside to do it! I guess we don't get out as often as we should in Art class, so … [Read more...]