Pattern Fish

We are back in school and busily yet steadily cranking out some awesome artwork. I began the school year for our first grade kids with one of my favorite lesson plans. Pattern Fish, by Trudy Harris is the cutest little book that combines underwater life with patterns. 

So we start off drawing a frown and a smile, which becomes the fish body. Details such as eyes, fins and a tail are added. Students then added patterns to the body. Next we drew some wavy seaweed, trying to make sure that our fish overlapped some of it. Sand was added at the bottom and the next step was color!

After a reminder to remember patterns, students began to add color to their pictures.  We even mixed colors to give the sand a golden tan appearance.  

Lastly, the little artists used watercolor to mimic the ocean.  I added some glitter watercolor to the mix, which I bought at Dick Blick to give each picture a little sparkle.  
I believe these fish are some of the best I've seen!

Notans

Nōtan is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark elements as they are placed next to the other in the composition of art and imagery.

We defined positive and negative space and then discussed color compliments. Each students selected colors and then began to cut away the positive space., which left a negative space. This process can be quite complicated and tricky, but the results are awesome!

Paul Klee: Castle and Sun

Paul Klee's Castle and Sun was our inspiration.  Klee used bright colors and simple shapes to create this work of art. 

St. Basil's Cathedral

St. Basil's Cathedral, located in Moscow, Russia, has long been a favorite building of mine.  The colorful turrets, that resemble onions, along with the bright colors give it an almost whimsical feel.

St. Basil's Cathedral was built beginning in 1555.  It started as one tower , then the other towers were added later, to make a total of eight towers.