Current Lessons
Scroll to see the most recent 3 weeks of lessons in our 3 grade-level groups
Grades 1 & 2
Next Lesson is below.
5. Chicken Day – KidsART A
SEPT 14 – 18 • Students have fun with a playful subject, underscoring the idea that “the joy of an artist will be evident in their finished art”. The concept of Air Shapes is revisited. Students learn to draw on “both sides of the line“, and draw the air inside a vase handle. Oil pastels are used to finish in color, and there is a dance break too!
Grades 3 - 5
Next Lesson is below.
5. Landscape & Distance – Foundations A
SEPT 14 – 18 • Students will choose from a set of landscape photo references, and paint in acrylics on canvas. They’ll learn to show depth by using atmospheric perspective, working from farthest to closest, and top to bottom. Two color techniques are used: 1) mixing colors from other parts of the painting into each color for harmony, and 2) Color splitting. The lesson takes 2 weeks.
Grades 6 - 12
Next Lesson is below.
5. Landscape & Distance – Foundations A+
SEPT 14 – 18 • Students will choose from a set of landscape photo references, and paint in acrylics on canvas. They’ll learn to show depth by using atmospheric perspective, working from farthest to closest, and top to bottom. Two color techniques are used: 1) mixing colors from other parts of the painting into each color for harmony, and 2) Color splitting. The lesson takes 2 weeks.
Grades 1 & 2
Previous 2 Weeks Below
4. The Other Side of the Fence – KidsART
SEPT 7 – 11 • This is a great lesson for learning a basic concept for drawing accurately, but without the students getting bogged down in lesson concepts. When drawing it helps artists to be able to draw the air shapes (negative shapes) that are in-between other things. It doubles the information available for accurate drawing. A fence is used to plant the seed of this concept, and to make a striped colorful painting. Then we use it as a background for another project: a unique-looking black-line painting over it that looks like ink line art.
3. Balloons and Shadows – KidsART A
AUG 31 – SEPT 4 • Balloons and clouds are used to teach shadows and highlights. First, the balloon pictures are painted with the “local color”, bright red. Then a darker red is added for a shadow on one side. A highlight is observed on a real balloon, so students can use real life to improve their artwork and make a highlight. Sponges are used to make clouds and cloud shadows in the background.
Grades 1 & 2
Grades 3 - 5
Previous 2 Weeks Below
4. Accuracy Puzzles – Foundations A
SEPT 7 – 11
Students will work on deconstructing a diagram of an image, working on it like a puzzle. Beginning with the Frame first, they learn how to work on the rectangular proportions, before moving to the second step, Big Shapes. Details are added last, completing the 3 Steps to Accuracy.
3. Design & Draw – Foundations A
AUG 31 – SEPT 4 • In the first half of the lesson, students will finish the collage begun last week. They try several design ideas, which connects experimentation in composition with quick thumbnails using only big shapes. The second part is all about using Big Shapes and guidelines, but in the context of an artists’ choice pencil drawing, working from specialized reference of animal photos.
Grades 3 - 5
Grades 6 - 12
Previous 2 Weeks Below
4. Accuracy Puzzles – Foundations A+
SEPT 7 – 11
Students will work on deconstructing a diagram of an image, working on it like a puzzle. Beginning with the Frame first, they learn how to work on the rectangular proportions, before moving to the second step, Big Shapes. Details are added last, completing the 3 Steps to Accuracy.
3. Design & Draw – Foundations A+
AUG 31 – SEPT 4 • In the first half of the lesson, students will finish the collage begun last week. They try several design ideas, which connects experimentation in composition with quick thumbnails using only big shapes. The second part is all about using Big Shapes and guidelines, but in the context of an artists’ choice pencil drawing, working from specialized reference of animal photos.