Watercolor Painting with Analogous colors for Valentine's Day

First and second grade artists examined the color wheel closely to learn about analogous colors- colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.  Students noticed how beautifully analogous colors blend together- not a brown blob in sight!

We used liquid watercolors to paint hearts on high quality watercolor paper.  Artists chose two analogous colors for each heart.  We also experimented with adding salt to wet paint to create amazing results.  Students were productive and focused as they challenged themselves to come up with as many different combinations of analogous colors as possible.

My Heart is Like a Zoo

Third and Fourth grade artists read "My Heart is Like a Zoo," by Michael Hall.  This is a book of animal similies where all of the animal illustrations are made with hearts.  What could be more fun as we get ready for Valentine's Day?  Students used colored paper to collage their own animals based on Michael Hall's creations.  

Want to see a beaver moonwalk and learn more about "My Heart is Like a Zoo?"  Click here!

Watch the trailer for this book to see how hall made some of his lovely heart animals.

Here are some student collages inspired by this book:

More Chinese Dragons!

Many more Chinese New Year Dragons by third and fourth grade artists have been added to the original post.  Click here to check them out!

Kindergarten Pattern Hearts

It is never to early to start teaching about the principles of design and the elements of art.  Kindergarten artists discussed LINES and PATTERNS before using Sharpie markers to draw a heart and fill it in using as many different types of lines and patterns as possible.  We used liquid watercolors to paint the hearts.  It is hard to see in the photographs, but I added pearl medium to the paints so that the hearts sparkle festively!

My example:

(I often hesitate to show an example of finished work because some artists feel that their work needs to look exactly like mine.  In this case, I think having an example to refer to helped the young artists with getting the size of the hearts right and gave them some ideas for different types of lines and patterns.)

Pre-K Valentine's Day Printing Project- Part Two

Pre-K artists completed their Valentine's Day printing projects in art class today.  Last week we made the large printed hearts using foam paper and printing ink.  Today they cut out their prints from last week and made a collage as a surface to print onto.  They could also include small hearts cut from decorative handmade paper.  

For today's printing project, we bent toilet paper rolls into heart shapes and then printed hearts all over the pages.  I added pearl medium and glitter to some of the paints and I added liquid soap to the white paint, so that the paint would form a bubble on the end of the tube to create a solid heart.  

We made our pieces of artwork on 8"X10" black mat board so that they will stand the test of time or are frame-ready.  

Pre-K Valentine's Day Printing Project

Pre-K artists cut out heart shapes from styrofoam sheets.  They decorated their hearts with a variety of different types of lines.  We used printing ink to print our heart stamps.  We will use our prints to make Valentines next week, just in time for Valentine's Day! 

Clay Club

Clay club artists made clay masks and Oaxacan Mexican animals. 

Looking at a book of Oaxacan animals for inspiration

Using molds to make clay masks

Kindergarten Color Collage

Kindergarten artists learned about the primary colors, then looked in magazines to find pictures in Red, Yellow and Blue.  They worked cooperatively in groups to create collage posters of each color collection. 

We practiced basic art skills of scissor use and safety and using "paint glue," and we focused on social skills such as cooperation and sharing.  These skills seem to need to be revisited at this time of year.  

Chinese New Year Dragon Masks

Ideas for Displaying Children's Artwork

I found this post about Top 5 ideas for displaying kid's artwork.  I was wondering how other art teachers and parents put their children's artwork on display and celebrate their creativity?

I often use small 4'X6" or 5"X7" frames, which often can be found for just a few dollars, to highlight a favorite part of a child's piece of artwork.

I also love the look of having student's work displayed on a clothesline.  So simple to make and easy to change the display!