Current Lessons
Scroll to see the most recent 3 weeks of lessons in our 3 grade-level groups
Grades 1 & 2
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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.
Grades 3 - 5
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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.
Grades 6 - 12
Next Lesson is 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.
Grades 1 & 2
Previous 2 Weeks Below
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.
2. Scotty Dog – KidsART A
AUG 24 – 28 • Introduction to the idea of lines as edges, and oil pastel technique with mixing & blending. Students use a photo of a scotty dog bas-relief sculpture for reference, but it’s turned upside down. This allows it to be drawn more accurately because it’s hard for the mind to interpret. Instead of using known assumptions about what you’re seeing, your eyes have to look more closely.
Grades 1 & 2
Grades 3 - 5
Previous 2 Weeks Below
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.
2. Color Crazed Cutouts – Foundations A
AUG 24 – 28 • Artists are introduced to The Art Instructor Color palette and the basics of paint mixing. Then they begin the first week of a 2-week fun color collage project using a 3-color scheme and cut shapes similar to Matisse cutouts. It’s a great way to get into paint for the first time or after a long break. The work is finished next week.
Grades 3 - 5
Grades 6 - 12
Previous 2 Weeks Below
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.
2. Color Crazed Cutouts – Foundations A+
AUG 24 – 28 • Artists are introduced to The Art Instructor Color palette and the basics of paint mixing. Then they begin the first week of a 2-week fun color collage project using a 3-color scheme and cut shapes similar to Matisse cutouts. It’s a great way to get into paint for the first time or after a long break. The work is finished next week.