Amate Bark Art by 4th Grade

The Otomi Indians in San Pablito, Mexico use the 

bark of the Jonote tree (similar to a Ficus) to make 

Papel Amate (Amate Bark). They strip the bark, boil 

to soften and smoothed into trays. After the paper 

dries, artisans paint the paper with traditional images. 

The fourth grade students work hard to create artwork inspired by the Amate Bark art of the Otomi Indians. I did my best to draw samples of traditional Otomi Indian images for them to copy onto their work. They designed borders and inner designs on their papers. They ripped the edges of their paper to make it look more bark-like. After penciling in their designs, they used tempra paints to fill them in. Some tried to outline their designs with black paint. I think they did a great job.

Check some out...

Watercolor Fish by Grade 3

The 3rd grade recently created fish pictures in art class. I gave them some pictures of fish and seaweed I had draw as examples of fish they could draw. They also had the option of designing their own fish. I tried to get them to create a layered background instead of that "single line of sand across the bottom of the paper" that so many kids draw when creating an underwater scene. Then they painted them in using liquid water color, which I love because the colors are so vibrant! I think they did a great job. Their teacher hung them up on the closet doors in the back of the classroom. If you were in there for Grandparents' Day this past Friday, you may have seen them. If not, here's a peek...

Ship-shape Houses by First Grade

So there are about 5 weeks of school left and I have run out of 12"x18" white drawing paper. Time to get even more creative than we usually do! I am now planning some art lessons that do not rely on good ole drawing paper! Luckily, I recently purchased and downloaded few lessons for Deep Space Sparkle and there are some great cut paper ideas in them!

Which lead to this adorable artwork done by the first grade...I love how they all look so serious and focused in these pictures! So funny and different than they usually are in class. They were VERY into this project!

 Are these the cutest or what? Considering they were done by 6 and 7 year olds in a 45 minute period, I was pretty impressed! Take a peek...

Moonlight & Fireflies! by Grade 5

I found this awesome project on the following blog, http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/2011/03/fireflies-moonlit-landscape.html.  The fifth grade had a wonderful time creating their moonlight and fireflies! Check out the link if you want to see the steps they followed. Thanks to the talented art teacher for her creativity!!
So the fifth grade used tempra paint mixed with a pearlescent additive (to add shimmer) to paint the moon and its glow. They had to mix white and blue paint to get the shades of blue they desired for the glow of the moon. Then we talked about trees and lines and shapes. They used black paint for the trees and later added silver paint to give the illusion of highlights from the moon. Finally they drew and cut out fireflies to stick onto the artwork using an ingenious product called 3D-O's. They look like mini marshmallows that are sticky on the two opposite ends so that the bugs are actually lifted off the paper in a 3D effect. They painted the glow end of the bugs with yellow flourescent paint. Then they had fun adding silver and yellow dots to the papers using cotton swabs. This added a fun decorative quality to the final piece.

I think they are so cute! Next year I am going to invest in some glow-in-the-dark paint for some cool effects.