Haunted House Prints

These were made in October, but never got around to posting the pictures. But I absolutely adore these little house prints. 1st grade took a look at Victorian homes with their peaks, round windows and towers. They immediately thought they looked like haunted houses and lucky for them, the pictures progressed to some spooky looking ones.

Using chalk pastel, students created a colorful background of either warm or cool colors. I had them lighted spray them with water and blend with a tissue. We then added a bit more chalk onto our papers. While a clear coat of fixative dried, we moved onto our haunted houses. They were carved into foam, cut out and them printed. I love the detail they added, and even the little ghosts peaking out of windows on some of them.
 

Sumi Ink Painting: 1st Grade

First grade “traveled” to Asia to study traditional sumi ink painting. Artists there practice for many years, and work with very controlled brush strokes. We then discussed value: lights and darks and others in between. If we add more water to our ink, it gets lighter, the less water, the darker the ink will be. To sign our work we made our own “chops” or seals. We discovered we had to write our initials backwards so they would print forwards.

Monet Waterlilies: 1st Grade

First grade explored the garden and work of Claude Monet. He had a large, beautiful garden you can still visit today and which you can see in many of his paintings. We learned hat he was an expressionist painter. Expressionists painted with quick and tiny brushstrokes. We then painted our own water lilies (one of his favorite subjects), learning about highlights and shadows as well as perspective. Things farther away are smaller than things closer to you.

Charles Burchfield's Day Job: 3rd Grade

Third Grade  learned about artist, Charles Burchfield.  He lived and worked in our very own Buffalo, NY.  After looking at his work, we also talked about his day job: a wallpaper designer!  His designs were inspired by nature just like his work.  Third grade then stamped their own patterns and designs to create a nature inspired “wallpaper sample”.  I was at the Burchfield Penney Art gallery by Buffalo State a few days ago and saw some wallpaper design rolls in his studio recreation!  Where's a camera when you need one?