Portraits/Self-Portraits

 

My 8th grade students worked for several weeks on drawing the human face.  We began with simple sketching, going over proportions of the face---and then I let them draw.  Then we had to back track :-)  It was very difficult to break them from the mold of creating eyes without eyelids---not putting the eyes in the forehead area, and not being afraid to really look at themselves.  Which for many 8th graders is very difficult.   I had students go through many magazines and find different noses, eyes and mouths and just draw them over and over again.  It seemed to really help—they weren’t focused on how they look or the overall picture---just the individual objects.  It was a great drawing exercise.

 

All the examples below are self-portraits with the exception of the last image which is a portrait of a famous actress from the show Revenge (Never watched the show, but the drawing turned out really great)

We made front page news!

Very happy to see this on the front page of our Junior High school newspaper.  Three students created an "Art Corner" and two works were featured.  So proud to see the art as a prominent feature (FRONT PAGE!) of the paper that both parents and students read.  Great job!!

8th grade-LINE-Copper relief

To continue working with LINE, 8th graders got to create a line drawing--but instead of using just paper they used copper to create a relief.  If you were to run your hands on top of the copper you would actually feel the texture of the work underneath.  After students were completed with the copper section of their artwork they were to create a "frame" that extended their work beyond the copper itself.  They worked on black paper with colored pencil, so it gave a real contrasted look.  Unfortunately the pictures aren't that great, but trust me, the work in person is really quite incredible to see.  

This lesson works for all ability levels--this was done by one of my Life Skills students-AMAZING WORK!

8th grade-BRAVES

The mascot for our school is the Octorara BRAVE.  I had my 8th graders, working with a grid print out--double the size of the image and re-create as best they could the Octorara Brave.  It was a struggle to get through it, but most were pretty successful.  I had attempted to have students create the different values by using hatching/cross-hatching and stipple, but it ended up being way over their heads, and not too successful.   I would say the simple shading most did was a great way to finish off the drawing.

An example of how they drew

7th grade-VALUE-Watercolor

It seems like so long ago that we were working with Value in my 7th grade classes (September).  But I just came across these two amazing examples of how we demonstrated value using watercolor.  The main goal was that they were to show the fade from light to dark somewhere on their paper (there could be some solid spots also).  I LOVE these two examples, amazing work!

Op Art

Both 7th and 8th grade students worked with the style of OP ART for a few assignments.  I incorportated the style to work side by side with LINE (which was both 7th and 8th grades element of the month for October). I love the way these assignments turn out every time.  All the Op Art assignments they do are "do-able" for all students---for all ability levels.  Some great examples are shown below of two out of the three Op art based assignments we do.  

This one is almost complete (I need a picture of the finished artwork).

LINE-7th grade

7th graders focused on LINE for the month of October.  For the assignment shown below students split their paper into 9 4X4 squares.  In each square they were to use a letter (some chose multiple letters and that was OK) and write it in a variety of fonts and styles.  After they created their lettering they were to use a variety of lines in the background to create an interesting space that complements one another and is visually interesting.  Per usual, I am totally inspired by their creativity and variety of choices!  

Especially love on this one how not only did they use letter fonts, but also sign language to illustrate their letter!

Cool quote

So true :-)

Zentangles

8th grade is working on a 2 part assignment dealing with LINE.  The first part of the assignment is to create 4 Zentangles.  They are working on a 6X6 inch paper to create their work and will eventually find their best piece and add color to it.  We will then work with 1 point perspective to create an interesting background space to mount the finished product.  They are doing such an amazing job, I had to share the work in progress.  

I must say, for my 8th graders they are really getting into their work and it does seem to be a "zen-like" experience for some :-)  The classes are a bit quieter while Zentangles are being created.  

Monochromatic Paintings-8th grade-COLOR

8th graders worked with paintings for the assignment below.  They could choose an image of anything they wanted.  Once they did this, I put the image on my computer and used a computer program called Photoshop to alter the image--to create almost a paint by number look.  The main intention of the assignment was color mixing.  Students were to choose a color they liked, and by mixing that color with either black or white they created a monochromatic painting.  Some chose to do a faded look with the paints in the background--modeled after the painter Mark Rothko (while others didn't--which was OK too).  I am so proud of the results!

Line Portraits-8th Grade

For the month of October in both my 7th and 8th grade classes we are focusing on the art element LINE.  Each student chose an image of their choosing.  It had to be of a face, but it could be of any person they liked--Most chose singers, actors, etc...The goal of the assignment was to break up the face by adding "flowing" lines from the different breaks.  Once they created the "flows" they were to use line as their focus (many got their line design inspiration here), eventually adding sharpie to really make the lines pop.  The images below are still works in progress, but beautiful none the less.  I can't wait to see the finished results!

When students complete any of their assignments early in the month of October they are to be working on Zentangles.

They work on a 6X6 piece of white drawing paper and are to only use sharpie (no pencils).  The goal is they aren't to worry about the final result, but the process (to sort of create a "zen-like" experience).  

inspired by the process: http://www.zentangle.com/gallery.php