Chinese Brush Painting

Chinese painting is one of the oldest painting styles still used today.

The subject is usually nature:

 Bamboo

Flowers

 Birds

Fish

 

Panda Bears

The "Six Principles" for Chinese Brush Painting

1.  Your state of mind in shown in each brush stroke.
If you are feeling calm and peaceful your brushstrokes will be calm and peaceful.  If you are nervous or stressed your brushstrokes may look different.

2.  Using your brush correctly is very important.

3. Look at your subject and only add the most important things.  Not many details.

4.  Colors don't need to be correct.

5.  Keep most of your paper white so the picture is simple.  Avoid symmetry.  (Things being the same on both sides)

6.  Look at and copy the work of the masters.  (People who are experts at Chinese brush painting)


You can try Chinese Brush Painting.  Children all over the world practice this style.

 

Video:(start around 3:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_94fxvcDTY

You can look at this painting and try to copy it.
Write your title vertically.
Add your initials (this is called your “chop”) at the bottom with a red marker.

After students have completed their paintings, encourage them to discuss the differences between copying to perfect your technique vs. self-expression. Ask your students which method they prefer and why.
 

Fibers- Lesson Two-Making a Felt Plushie

We will learn/review: skills to make a felt plushie

Create or use a pattern

Pinning Fabric

Tracing around pattern

Ways to add faces

Whip Stitch and Running stitch 

Which should you use?

 

 

MENU IN STUDIO IS HELPFUL IF YOU FORGET WHAT COMES NEXT

I'm finished, now what? Persist-

Working on the same piece of art for multiple art classes

When I persist, I...

Learn to embrace challenges in my work

Develop focus

See my project through until the end

Correct or Use my Mistakes

Make thoughtful choices

Take my time

This artist took 3 art classes to paint her work in the painting studio

These artists made drawings in the drawing studio, and took them to collage and cut them up to incorporate them into their final work. 

This artist worked one day in the painting studio and one in collage

This artist began in drawing, spent day two in painting, and embellished her work in collage

A sculpture may take a class or two to paint after it is created.

This artist added a frame to her painting.

Beads! Beads! Beads!

Beads can be made of many different materials. The earliest beads were made of a variety of natural materials such as bone, shells, seeds, wood, stones, coral, horn and pearls. More recently, beads have been made from glass, clay, paper, and plastic. 

We believe that people used the first beads as protection against uncontrollable events such as harsh weather, to enhance beauty, and as a show of status in the society. 

Shell Beads from Blombos Cave, South Africa
estimated to be 76,000 years old

Beads have had many uses in cultures throughout history including trade, religious purpose, and adornment. 

Venetian Glass Trade Beads

The Maasai men and women in Africa wear beads that show their status in society

Sometimes Kalashi women in Pakistan wear as many as 15 pounds of beads around their necks!
 Traditional Kalashi headdresses are also heavily beaded.


Where have you seen people wearing beads? 
When have you worn beads?
You can make beads too! 

Making paper beads:

1. Cut your paper. Cut long triangles out of magazines, coloured construction paper, wallpaper
2. Add your glue. ...
3. Roll the bead. ...
4. Finish rolling.Glue the tip of the triangle to the rolled paper. ...
5. Remove your bead. ...
6. Create more beads.

Memory Cards

Artists can tell stories about a memory...

What do you think the story is for each picture?

What is a memory you would like to share?

Think of some pictures and details that are important to tell a story of that memory.  

Using Four cards make a picture on each card to tell your story.

One weekend our family drove to Florida, where we went on a boat ride

We played at the beach, it had smooth sand and beautiful shells

One day we walked out onto a long pier and watched people catch fish, 

some were huge and some were so small.

At the end of the pier was a souvenior shop and there were 

colorful buoys hanging a wall.  

Craftsmanship-First Grade

Craftmanship mini lesson on Beth Williams' Blog:

Meramec Choice Art 

Caine's Arcade-Third Grade

Sculpture Studio 

Cardboard construction

Caine's Arcade is a short film about a 9 year old boy's cardboard arcade, and his dream of having customers. 

Can you make a toy out of cardboard?

Can you make a game?

Try making a toy with moving parts