Mixed Media Collaborative Art Game

Fourth grade students created collaborative art by playing a mixed media game. They used the materials they had selected from cards in a cup, then switched to a new piece of artwork and used a new art supply.

Abstract and Realistic Metallic Drawings 

Fourth grade students discussed the differences between several of Paul Klee’s paintings. They created one realistic and one abstract drawing, and then colored their artwork using metallic crayons. PowerPoint: Abstract and Realistic Supplies: 9″ x 9″ black construction paper (2 per student) White colored pencils Metallic crayons   This project provided the perfect opportunity for my…

Brushstroke Paintings 

After observing artwork by Alma Woodsey Thomas, second graders created a watercolor background and filled their painting with brushstrokes using tempera. Art Lesson Videos: Brushstroke Paintings, Part 1 & Part 2 & Part 3 PowerPoint: Alma Woodsey Thomas Supplies: 9″ x 12″ poster board or watercolor paper Brushes Watercolor paints Tempera paint Scrap paper to create shapes…

Found Object Sculptures 

Inspired by Louise Nevelson, second graders created a found object sculpture by working with their classmates. They could bring in an object or choose an object; then they chose where they wanted to glue it and voted on what color the artwork should be painted. PowerPoint: Found Object Sculpture Parent Letter: Found Object Letter (Edit it with your…

Kandinsky Drawing Game 

After learning about Kandinsky, second graders played a drawing game using crayons. Later, they painted over their artwork with ink to create a wax resist. Art Lesson Video: Kandinsky Drawing Game, Part 1 & Kandinsky Drawing Game, Part 2, Ink Set-up Video Drawing Prompts: Kandinsky Drawing Game Supplies: 9″ x 12″ white paper Crayons India Ink, one…

Surreal Self Portraits 

Fourth grade students created a surreal self-portrait using symbols that represent them as the different parts of their body. They colored in their drawings with colored pencil. PowerPoint: Surreal Self Portrait Supplies: 9″ x 12″ drawing paper Colored pencils Two class periods into the Surreal Landscape project, I realized my students were going to be finishing…

Watercolor Grid

After discussing a painting by Jasper Johns, second graders drew a grid using crayon and filled each square with a letter of their name. Then, they painted over their drawing with watercolors. Art Lesson Video: Watercolor Grid, Part 1 & Watercolor Grid, Part 2 PowerPoint: Watercolor Grid Supplies: 9″ x 12″ poster board Rulers Crayons Watercolor…

Not Your Average Coloring Center

Elementary art students can choose to go to a coloring page center where they re-invent artwork by an artist they just learned about. PowerPoint: Table Artists 2015 & Table Artists 2016 Supply Box Labels: Table Name Images, Table Names Coloring Pages: Kusama Coloring, Lange Coloring This is the second year I’ve named each of my tables after famous artists. I decided to…

Chalk Pastel Observational Drawings 

After observing still lives by Georgia O’Keeffe, elementary art students create their own “up-close” observational drawings. Art Lesson Videos: Chalk Pastel Observational Drawings, Part 1 & Chalk Pastel Observational Drawings, Part 2 PowerPoint: Observational Drawings Supplies:  9″ x 9″ colorful construction paper Sharpie Chalk pastels Assorted objects I wanted to put a new spin on my usual Georgia…

Frank Stella Inspired Drawings

Fourth grade students created drawings using geometric or organic shapes after viewing artwork by Frank Stella. Art Lesson Videos: Frank Stella Drawings, Part 1 & Frank Stella Drawings, Part 2 Supplies: 9″ x 12″ white drawing paper Pencils, erasers Drawing tools (rulers, protractors, compasses, etc.) Colored pencils Markers PowerPoint: Stella Drawings I was inspired by a post I…