Safari Project

Safari Project-

Today's project was about learning about cool and warm colors as well as other techniques used in drawing. The project was presented to us as if we were 1st grade students. First, thing we did was watch a PowerPoint as if we were going on a safari. All the different animals you could find on a safari were represented on the screen. Second, we made glasses so we would be able to see the animals. We used the teachers pattern to cut out the form for our glasses. Then we glued transparent red paper over top for lenses. After our glasses were complete and drying we started learning a new technique that would help our drawing abilities.

The technique was drawing something upside down because that then teaches students to concentrate on the shapes rather than the drawing what they think the object looks like. The teacher had printed off pieces of paper where we could practice the new method. After that we choose from pictures of safari animals what we wanted to draw for our main project. I choose a tiger. The first thing I did was flip the drawing I was going to copy so I would be able to concentrate on the shapes. Everyone drew their animal in blue color pencil because it was necessary for the second part of our project. Drawing upside down was very challenging because it required lots of hand and eye coordination. After my drawing was complete we began learning about warm and cool colors. Our teacher told us to grab crayons the are considered "warm colors" (orange, red, yellow) and do patterns over the drawing of the safari animal until you cant see it anymore. After layers and layers my drawing ended up like this.

Now this is where the glasses come into effect. When you hold the glasses up to look at the photo because of the red transparent paper all that is visible is the hidden animal we drew in blue color pencil. Our teacher had us glue three clues onto our project so the viewer could guess the animal before they looked threw the glasses.

Other ways to incorporate this lesson would be by making the glasses differently for different ages. For example by using paper cups and string we could cut out the bottom and put the red transparent paper at the end and it would be as if the kids have binoculars which is perfect since they are going on a safari. For high school I would stay clear of the safari theme.However I would have my students do a project where they planed out a theme. I would have them design a scene that looks as if something were to happen. For example a kid might want to depict a scene about fishing. I would have him draw the scene using all cool colors, however when drawing the scene he has to remember the viewers wont see this part until after they see the original scene. When the original scene is finished and the audience puts on the glasses they will see a similar scene but other things are happening The change could be night and day, or the water could turn from being calm and no fish to super wavy water and fish all over. The project is a good way to introduce warm and cool colors as well as making the kids display the element of movement. 

Dot Day

Dot Day-

For International Dot Day we watched the short video by Peter Reynolds called "The Dot". The video is about a young girl who believes she cant draw, until her teacher frames her drawing of simply a "dot". The young girl then realizes she can make an ever better dot and goes wild painting, drawing, and even sculpting dots. The girl then understands that even the simplest designs can be considered art and that art is something that everyone can make.

In honor of Dot Day we were given coffee filters, paper plates and many different types of mediums to make our own "dots". The project was to get us familiarized with the different types of mediums and how they can be manipulated to get the look we want. My two examples are down below. I chose to use the circle of the coffee filter to represent my dot. Then drew shapes and patterns to make my "dots" more interesting.

                           

Another activity that can be done in honor of Dot Day is simply a mural collaboration project. With high school students I think it would be fun to have them create a wall mural with only dots. The dots would be made out of construction paper and then adhered to the wall in some fashion. The class would be split into groups of 3-4 students. First, each group would need to plan out their designs and get them approved. The theme will be something-school orientated because each group is going to put up their mural someplace in the school. Second, the students within each group will need to think of whether they want to use different size of dots, overlap the dots, how many colors to use, and other design elements. I feel this project will be a fun challenge for my class because it requires a great deal of planning in order for their designs to be successful. 

Principles/Elements

(1) Principle: Texture- is the look or feel of something.  It is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work of art actually feels when it is touched. Being able to feel the texture is referred to as tactile texture. Art can also have visual texture if it appears to be textured but your unable to feel it. 
**Texture- Snow Tire Print- Steel Parking lot

 (2) Element: Value- this refers to the color’s or compositions light and  dark elements. White is the lightest value, and black is the darkness value. In general, work using a full range of values will stand out more and be pleasing to the eye of the viewer.
**Couch Sheet- Dorm Room

(3) Element: Balance- is the distribution or visual weight in a piece of art. This is a way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium. Some types of balances are symmetrical, asymmetric, and radial. Symmetrical is when identical forms are equally balanced. Asymmetrical is when one non-identical forms are balanced. Radial is symmetry around a central axis. 

**Valentine Heart- Walmart

(4) Element: Rhythm/Movement- Anything that has visual movement is considered rhythm. When elements are repeated, alternated, or arranged they can create a sense of rhythm.
**Towels- NSU Locker room

(5) Element: Unity/Variety- Unity is when elements are in harmony. In other words Unity is when elements have an harmonious relationship and complement each other. Variety is using a range of different qualities or instances of an art element to create a desired visual effect. 

**Fence- Aberdeen SD

Introduction

Introduction-

The first day of class is very important. This is where you must introduce your-self to your class as well as their introductions. A way I chose to do the introductions this year was by having my class create a foot print name tag. I choose a footprint because the students could create a collage that represents themselves and the things that have made them into the person they are today. An example of mine is down below.

I choose a green background to represent my favorite color as well as grass. The grassy footprint reminds me that running has gotten me to where I am today. The sports represented are on my collage for the same reason. My home state is represented to show my love and devotion to my state as well as my family. Growing up I always found the most peace being in a garden so I chose to sketch poppies to represent just that and my love for drawing. The tenting display is a reminder that I spend most of my summers in a tent and I don't regret a thing. Lastly my name is a reflection on my art background because I filled my name in with my favorite analogous color scheme. Overall everything on my name tag is a representation of me as well as what I have gone through. 

For high school this project was perfect however it may be too deep for other ages. A way to integrate it with other ages would be by having your students create one when they have come back from a holiday break. They then could design a footprint to depict their travels over break. Another creative use for elementary kids would be having them trace there foot print on the color of construction paper of whatever color shoe they are wearing that day. Then having the class do a color study of that color. By giving the students magazines they would then have to cut out different objects in the magazine that are also that color. That way the whole construction paper footprint is a color study of other objects that are also that color.