What We're Up To: Contour Line Exercise

Fifth grade is learning about Vincent van Gogh at the moment!

Left: Vincent's Chair with his Pipe, 1888
Right: Gauguin's Armchair, 1888

After comparing and contrasting two of his chair paintings (shown above) we discussed positive and negative space and that both are equally important in a composition (shown below).

Afterward, students started their own contour line drawings. We put chairs and stools on tables around the room for them to use as reference and the kids got right to work!

I reminded them to look at the subject of their drawings (the chair/stool) as much as--or even more than--their papers; that way, they are more likely to draw what they actually see not just what they think a chair looks like.

I'm so pleased with the results so far! Can't wait to see how these projects turn out.

What We're Up To: Unit 1

We're getting into the swing of things here in the art room! Students have finished a short sketchbook assignment and are on to the first lessons of the year.

Teacher samples, essential questions, and standards
for each grade posted on the front bulletin board.

Art is a Language is the theme of our first unit. We focus on the elements of art: shape, form, color, texture, value, space and line. I love explaining to students that the elements of art are like building blocks; we choose the ones we want and compose our artwork with them!

Here are the projects each grade is beginning and the element(s) of art we're focusing on, as well as any special resources I'm using:

KINDERGARTEN



Pigeon Pizzaz  featuring line, shape,
color, and pattern.
(lesson written by FCS Art teacher Martha Arrington)

 

Caldecott Award-winning book
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

1st GRADE



Line Pattern Elephants featuring line, pattern, value, and
secondary colors.



First book in the Elmer series by artist
David McKee 

2nd GRADE  

Robert Indiana-Inspired Pop Art Initials
featuring pattern/repetition, complementary
colors and line.

Book of Love Pink-Blue-Green 
serigraph by Robert Indiana

3rd GRADE

Paul Klee-Inspired Shape Portraits featuring
geometric shape, line and warm/cool colors.
(lesson written by FCS Art teacher Equiana Frazier)

Senecio by Paul Klee

4th GRADE

Matryoshka teacher sample featuring contour line,
geometric/organic shape, pattern/repetition. 

The original matryoshka doll set designed and carved by
Vasily Zvyozdochkin and Sergey Malyutin, respectively, in 1892.

5th GRADE

Vincent van Gogh Chairs featuring
contour line, positive/negative space,
pattern/repetition and color schemes.
(image from www.artsonia.com) 

Vincent's Chair with His Pipe
by Vincent van Gogh, 1888.

Be sure to click on the links in each of the captions for more information, to purchase the books I use in the classroom, and to visit great interactive websites!