My Art Practicum Experience

On November 11, 2014 I went to Edith Bowen Laboratory School to teach an art lesson to a fifth grade class. The name of my project was Non-Objective Line. In this project, I instructed that students were to create a focal point where ever on the page. They then had to choose from either a monochromatic or complimentary color scheme. In the end, each student demonstrated that they understood how to create a point where the eye is drawn to. The color scheme that was the most popular was complimentary colors. Some of the students did not get a chance to finish since they came to class late, but I still wanted to display them. They all did an amazing job and I am very thankful I had the privilege to teach them something new.

How To: Mandala Step-by-Step

How to create your own Mandala:

This project is both fun and requires a bit of attention. The key to this project is keeping your focal point in the middle by making small details, and then expanding the size as you work your way out. Your eyes should naturally be drawn to the middle. Remember to have fun with this project!

Time to complete: 45 min-3 hours (Depending how intricate your design is)

Materials: 

• Paints (water color is nice, but any kind will do)
• Paint brushes
• Card stock paper
• Scissors
• Pencil to lightly draw in design

Step 1: Take a piece of 12x12 card stock paper and fold the top right corner to make a triangle

Step 2: Cut off the excess bottom half so you just have a right triangle

Step 3: Open up your triangle so you have a big square. Start designing by beginning in the middle and make tiny details.

Step 4: Start expanding on your design. I chose to go with a flower so I began to make big petals. You can make whatever you want, just remember to keep getting bigger and bigger.

Step 5: Finish off with the frame and then fill in any other details you see fit.

Step 6: Start painting the middle because the tiny details tend to be the hardest to fill in.

 Step 7: You can start to plan ahead and brush on what colors you want in each area. I tend to forget so if you already know which colors you want to use, feel free to skip this step. Because I chose to make a flower design, I am going with bright colors.

Step 8: At this point, you can color everything in. You now have a pretty and brightly colored mandala. You can really do just about any design with this project. Just remember that the center is your focal point where your eye must be drawn to. Thanks and hope you enjoyed!

The End!

Wire Sculpture

The theme of this sculpture was to create a sculpture of something you may find at the circus. I chose to an air balloon. All I needed for this project were a pair of wire cutters, and some easy-to-bend wire. I started out creating the basket of the balloon which was just two circles and then attached by four lines. Then i set out to create the balloon by creating a tiny circle, then attaching two large pieces of wire and then shaping them into circular shapes. At the top of the balloon I attached a small piece of wire to keep the balloon from tipping. Lastly, I attached the balloon and basket with four smaller wires. For finishing touches, I added some sandbags just for fun. This project was pretty fun because I honestly did not think I could create anything with wire. This project showed me that with a little dedication, you can make some pretty interesting sculptures.

 

For the full tutorial, go to http://alexaraemears.blogspot.com/

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Milk Jug Masks

I took an empty milk jug and cut out half of the side. I used the side with the handle since I felt like the handle would make a great nose. I then took white painter tape and pasted it all over the outside of the plastic. When it was all covered, I took black shoe polish and rubbed it everywhere on the outside. I gave about ten minutes for it to dry, then painted on my design with acrylic paint. I was inspired by making a skull, but then thought it would be cooler if i made a sugar skull. I think the mask was very fun to create and definitely one I would want to create again.

 

For the full tutorial, go to http://artforchildrenisfun.blogspot.com/

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Batik

When starting this project, I made my design on a piece of construction paper. When I had drawn everything out to my liking, I went over it with a black sharpie pen. Next, I layered a piece of cloth over the construction paper, and traced the lines with a baking flower glue. Once my full design was traced, I set it out and let it dry for a day. When I came back to it, I used non-washable tempera paint to color over the design. The last and most annoying part was peeling off the flower glue. It was really sharp and dug underneath my nails. The end result was much more legible, but when I put the cloth in the washer, it bled and really messed up the design. Unfortunately you can't see the design too well but at least I know what not to do next time. I really liked the colors I chose for my design, and next time I will not put it in the wash.

 

For the full tutorial, go here http://theartofkids.blogspot.com/

or http://elementaryarteducationjenn.blogspot.com/

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Coil Pinch Pots

When starting out, we were instructed to use quick drying clay and first make it into a big ball. Then, you begin to dig down in the very middle while also shaping the walls. You gently had to pull and stretch to create the shape of the bowl you wanted. Once I was satisfied with how large the pot was, I smoothed out my walls and any other cracks I could find with slip (liquefied clay solution). I then began curving my walls to look like a sea anemone. I then took a fork and played with textures on the outside of my walls, and then set it out to dry. Once I gave the clay anemone a day to dry, I took sea green and pink acrylic paint to it. The result was very sea like and I really liked how it came out. This was one of the more fun projects to me.

 

For the full tutorial, go to http://myartisticodyssey.blogspot.com/

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Chinese Brush Painting

In class we were given actual sets of what the Chinese  use to create the paintings of bamboo on scrolls. I started out by practicing my stroked with the brush. The first set looked like a long and thick femur bone. The second stroke was a horizontal looking "Z". Lastly, I made these thick strokes that started off going forward, but then I would change its path to backwards. This created little leaves. The result, when all steps are combines, looks like bamboo. I thought this project was fun and interesting to do.

 

For the full tutorial, go to http://saigemillsap.blogspot.com/p/chinese-brush-painting.html

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