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.

 

Great Art Sites for Kids— Build Your Wild Self

Build Your Wild Self is a site sponsored by the New York Zoological Society, which allows children to create a self portrait Using attributes from a variety of wild animals.

First you create an avatar based on your human self, a fun exercise self portraiture. The you choose features from different animals to create your "wild self." As you work, you hear the sounds each animal makes and your final result lets you read about the attributes you've chosen.

This would be a great exercise to combine with a "Where the Wild Things Are" art lesson. It could also be a cross-curricular themed project with wildlife sciences. Here is the wild self I created:

Calaveras Portraits Inspired by José Posada

My fourth graders are learning about the works of José Posada, an artist from Mexico who illustrated political cartoons which poked fun at the members if High Society. He was also influenced by Dia de los Muertos, hence his portraits rendered as calaveras (skulls).

My amazing family of artists helped me to create some sample pieces for my classes. Here are our creations. Students' work to come soon!

Our Finished Mural

Our bottle cap mural is finally complete! Over 1,200 caps make up this rendition of Picasso's The Dreamer. Thanks to all of the children who helped create it. Oh, and we're still collecting.

Bubble Writer Winner!

Thanks to everyone for entering for a chance to win the book  How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever! by Linda Scott. Ashley, you are the winner! Congratulations.

Please check back soon for more posts, lessons, and perhaps another giveaway...

Bubble Writer Give-Away

A few posts back I shared a review and artwork made by me and the kids for  How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever! by Linda Scott. This is a brilliant workbook style book that introduces us to and guides us through the world of the bubble writer. I hope you've had a chance to do some bubble lettering art of your own. If you haven't and need a little guidance, here's your chance. I've received a second copy of this awesome publication and will be giving it away to one of you!

 Please leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you to enter. One entry per person. I will select a winner at random on or about September 5th. Good luck everyone!