Positive/Negative Space Trees

First graders finished a unit on line this fall and also learned about positive and negative space. On black construction paper we learned to draw a tree with bare branches. These branches needed to reach the edges of the paper to create different areas of negative space. When the children were happy with their drawings, they traced the lines of their trees with white construction paper crayons— I LOVE THESE! Especially when used on black paper.

The trees (positive space) were not to be colored, so they remained solid black. All of the areas between the branches of the trees (negative space) were filled in with many different colors and types of line. The children took their time and did a great job completing these projects. Here are some of their masterpieces.

Book Review: Let's Make Some Great Art

Laurence King Publishers has sent me another great offering for review. Let's Make Some Great Art by Marion Deuchars is an art-themed coloring and activity book filled with drawings, activities and even lessons in art history.  I really enjoy its hand-written text and friendly visual style.

Artists such as Picasso, Mondrian, da Vinci and more are featured with exercises inspired by their works. There are projects in all types of media from collage, to sculpture, to painting and drawing— and all of them are FUN! This would be a great art workbook for home-schoolers, or a resource for art lesson ideas and simple sub plans. I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Paper Chain Monsters

I was inspired by Fem Manuals and their paper chains, and just by chance one of my students asked how to make paper dolls during her free choice time. I took it as a sign and created monster shapes for a Halloween theme.
First graders learned how to create an accordion fold and then chose one of four templates to trace onto their papers. They learned how to not trace the entire image, so parts of it will be the connections of the chain. The cutting was a challenge but all managed with a little perseverance. The they used crayons and/or markers to create their designs. The final touches were the addition of pom poms, yarn, sequins, and googly eyes.