In our Art classes we have been studying the element of Art – ‘value’.  Students have learned where the colour that we see is (in the light) and that white and black are NOT colours.  White is the lightest light and black is the darkest dark.  Without light there is no colour.

Students worked with white paper and only a black wax crayon to create a picture. They used ‘contrast’ – a sudden change from dark to light – and ‘gradation’ – a gradual change using the difference in pressure of crayon on paper. The lighter the touch the lighter the result, and vice versa with darkness.

Value is not only with blacks, whites, and greys.

Last week students learned that when black is added to a colour (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) that the result is not a change in colour but that it becomes a darker ‘shade’ of the original colour.  For example, when black paint is added to red it creates a darker, deeper ‘shade’ of red – it doesn’t become black.  Students were reminded that ‘shade’ comes from ‘shadow’, which they know is when there is less light.  In contrast to this, when white paint is added to a colour the result is called a ‘tint’ – a lightening of the same colour.  For example, when adding white paint to red paint we get lighter versions of red which we call ‘pink’.

Students used coloured construction paper, black wax crayons, and white chalk to create these pictures.  Many seemed to think that ‘snow’ was necessary – even in April with our ‘heat-wave’ 🙂

These sets of pictures are on the two bulletin boards outside of our classroom before the Office.  Come by and check them out!

I think they look awesome!

We did a directed drawing lesson on ‘bears’ this week.  The next day the students did a much larger version of this bear’s portrait.  The lines were then traced over with China markers.  Students had used these markers to outline their Remembrance Day poppy art.  Today students had the opportunity of working with oil pastels.  They were given guidelines on colour choices available for the different sections.  The background needed to be one of the varieties (shades or tints) of either green or blue. They were also instructed in the ‘smudge-iness’ of working with oil pastels and were supposed to work from the inside to the outside in order to not rub the colours into each other.

I think the students should be very proud of their hard work.  Many said that their hands were sore afterwards but they were troupers and I think that they did a great job.

As part of our exploration of the elements of art (colour) students created complementary colour patterns.  We read the book, “Hello, Green Fox”, by Eric Carle, which shows how the colour opposites can trick our eyes.  Students learned which colours are the opposites of each other: red/green; purple/yellow; and blue/orange.  They learned that opposites, when placed next to each other, make each other seem brighter and almost appear to glow.  They also got a chance to get ready for making winter snowflakes through the cutting technique. Check them out on the bulletin board outside our classroom, if you are in the building.

We have Directed Drawing lessons 3 or 4 times a week. Students follow the direction of my drawings on the whiteboard while creating their own pictures on paper.  They have been taking these lessons quite seriously and are gaining their skills more and more each week.  We have been drawing a variety of domesticated animals.

As a result of these lessons many students are spending their free time (book time or Centres) using my collection of ‘how to’ drawing books to continue to work on their drawing techniques.

I am happy to see so much enthusiasm for Art!!