Fourth Grade Abstract Paintings

For this project, fourth grade artists experimented with stamping and painting. We looked at the work of Piet Mondrian and noticed how his work became increasingly abstract throughout his career. Students noticed that although his later paintings are not representational, he created interesting compositions using shape, line and color. Students worked from this idea when creating their own abstract compositions. Beginning with line, they used small pieces of cardboard to stamp short lines on a large sheet of paper. They were encouraged to create shapes and patterns as they worked, but were told to play with the material and see what happened.

The following class, we discussed color schemes. We looked at some abstract paintings where the artist selected a color scheme to use. We explored primary color schemes, complementary color schemes and analogous color schemes. Students were not required to choose one specific color scheme, but we discussed how being selective about the colors you choose can work better than just using every single color available. Here are two paintings by Sarah Morris that we looked at. Here, she used a complementary color scheme on the left and an analogous one on the right.

Fourth graders used tempera cakes to add color to their work. They came out so beautifully. Here are a few examples, but click here for many more.

First Grade Jungles

First grade artists have been studying painting. For this project, we learned about warm and cool colors. Students were introduced to the artist Henri Rousseau. We learned that he was a Parisian artist who would paint imaginary jungle scenes inspired by visits to the Paris botanical gardens.

To begin this project, students were asked to imagine that they were in the jungle. We brainstormed ideas for how it would look and feel to be in the jungle. Next, students used cool colors and neutrals to create their jungle scene. With the cool colors, we only added plants and trees.


The following class, students added warm colors. They used these to add flowers and animals to their jungle scene.

Expressive Self Portraits

Third grade artists have been studying portraiture. We explored how artists create expressive drawings of people by using certain colors and facial expressions. To begin this project, students created three self portraits. In each one, they were asked to convey a different emotion. We used ebony pencils for these studies and created value by smudging and shading. Students used mirrors and drew from observation, noticing how the lines and features of their face changed with each new expression.







Next, we talked about how artists use color to express emotion. We discussed how different colors show feeling. Students were asked to choose one color and one emotion and to create a monochromatic self portrait.


What emotions do you think these students are expressing?




For more of this work, check out the Digication page! (click here)

Mixing Secondary Colors

First grade artists have been learning about secondary colors. For this seasonally appropriate project, first graders made paintings of pumpkins. They used the primary colors to create secondary colors. They made orange pumpkins, a purple sky and green grass. We talked about how there are many different kinds of greens, purples and oranges depending on how much of each primary color you use.



The following class, we discussed outline and pattern. Students used black paint to outline their pumpkins and to go over the horizon line. We then learned that you can make patterns in art when lines and shapes are repeated. Students added interesting patterns to their grass and sky to complete their paintings.

This project was a good start to our painting unit because the students had a clear idea of what they were being asked to do and of the steps that they should follow to complete the project. Now that we are familiar with the painting routines and procedures, we will continue to create paintings and the artists will be asked to make more independent choices for their imagery. As always, check out more completed work on Digication.

Second Grade Monster Portraits

Second graders have been exploring texture, pattern and watercolor resist. For this quick project, we created monster portraits. We were inspired by the work of Jim Henson. We looked at many of his monster-like creatures and noticed how they often included textures, crazy colors and silly details.

To create their own monster portrait, students began by using black oil pastel. They first created the outline of their creature. Next, they colored in the whole background black, allowing the finished monster to stand out. They used colored oil pastel to add texture, pattern and details. Finally, they painted their work using watercolor. Because watercolor resists oil pastel, the paint did not cover their drawing, but instead allowed their line work to show. Here are a few finished examples, but check for more on Digication:

Happy Halloween!

Third Grade Castles and Color

Third grade artists finished their castle drawings! There are a number of examples up on the Digication page and don't forget to check out the display near the office. They came out great.

Since we worked for so long in black and white, we are jumping right into color explorations. For the first one, students explored color mixing. We focused on how to create a variety of colors using primary and secondary colors. We also discussed previously learned concepts such as tints and shades. Third graders spent a class simply experimenting with color mixing. They created a large painting with as many different colors as they could fit.

The following class, we discussed how we made brown with paint. We talked about how when two colors that are across from each other on the color wheel are mixed, brown is created. We learned that these colors are called complimentary colors. Students noticed how when two complimentary colors are next to each other, they stand out.

Students then explored sorting geometric and organic shapes on the Smartboard. For the activity, students were asked to create organic shapes out of paper that have a pattern on top. Students were only allowed to use one pair of complimentary colors to create a dynamic color contrast.

Each artist created a number of different organic shapes with pattern. In our next class, we will look at how the artist Elizabeth Murray created compositions of different shapes. Students will take the shapes they created and put them together to create a finished abstract collage.

Second Grade

Second grade artists have been working on a variety of projects in the past few weeks. The first was creating "texture cities." We explored how the architecture of a city is different than that of a place like New Canaan. Students reflected on their neighborhood collages and thought about what would have been different if they were depicting a city. Next, we looked at examples of art and architecture from New York City. Students looked at how illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg depicts a city. We also looked at some examples of interesting architecture such as the Guggenheim Museum.

Students were then asked to create a drawing of an imaginary city. They needed to create all of the large elements by tracing basic shapes. They could then add free handed details. Students were reminded of how we can show background, middle ground and foreground by overlapping and varying size.

Next, artists added color to their work using crayon. Instead of simply coloring the shapes in, students explored how texture could add interest to their work. They used texture rubbing to fill their work with color.


Next, students began working on monster portraits. For the next two projects, we will be exploring watercolor resist. Here is a sneak peek, but I will post more about this project once all of the classes are finished.

Keep up the good work second graders!

Fourth Grade Painted Paper Collage

Wayne Thiebaud is one of my favorite artists to share with students. They immediately connect with his bright colors and playful subject matter. Fourth graders have been working on a painted paper collage project inspired by the work of Wayne Thiebaud.

The first class, students had a "painted paper factory." Students created sheets of paper filled with a color and texture to use in the upcoming project. We brushed up on our understanding of color mixing and played with adding texture with brush strokes.

The following week we looked at many examples of Thiebaud's work. We noticed how his paintings included food and had simple backgrounds. The students thought this was probably because he wanted you to look at the food without getting distracted. We also had a number of ideas about why a person would make pictures of food. Fourth grade artists were then given their assignment-- to create a picture of food with collage using the paper they had created during the previous class. Students were reminded to look for textures and colors that would suit the foods they were depicting.

The artists had fantastic ideas for foods to create. We also discussed how we should think about our composition, just as we had with our abstract drawings. Students tried out different compositions before gluing down their final pieces. Here are some finished examples:




Not every class has completed this project. I will put many more examples up on Digication when we are done!