4th grade Sculptures

Using magazine pages, 4th graders created materials to use for their sculptures.  We studied a couple abstract sculptors including Louise Nevelson and Henry Moore.  We discussed the characteristics of sculpture, materials used, and the meaning of abstract artwork.

Students were sent free as they experimented and manipulated the materials to create sculptures that were sturdy and balanced.

Students discussed why artists title their artwork.  Is it to help explain the meaning of the work?  Is it to trick the viewer into seeing the artwork with a different perspective?  Students decided on a title and signed their sculptures.

4th grade Mandala Prints

Buddhist Tibetan monks have a tradition of creating beautiful sand mandalas.  The monks create the designs in silence and while meditating.  When they are finished, the mandala is swept up and sent down a river of water to honor the value of impermanence.  I love discussing this art form with my students.  It's difficult to imagine destroying something so beautiful, but we talk about how the important factor is the process, not the product!

4th graders created radial symmetrical, geometric mandala designs on styrofoam and printed them with gradient colors. 

4th grade Cityscapes

4th graders are in the process of creating evening cityscape paintings.  We looked at many cityscapes made by many artists including Georgia O'Keeffe.  Students practiced drawing from observation by looking at a photograph of the Atlanta skyline.  Students discussed analogous colors, values, and contour line. 

 

Finished Products!

 

 

4th grade Clay Fruit Display

4th grade Clay Fruit

4th graders used classic clay hand-building techniques to create realistic fruit. Students learned about Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusuma, who is known for her whimsical installations using repetition of dots. Students chose to glaze their fruit realistically or in the style of Kusuma.

4th grade Paper Sculptures

4th grade students studied the life and artwork of relief sculptor, Frank Stella. He was inspired by sports and created Abstract sculptures using expressive lines, shapes, and colors. Students chose a sport and transformed their abstract drawings into a 3d relief sculpture. Students also titled their artwork and participated in a class critique. They were encouraged to analyze each other's results and communicated positive feedback to their peers.

4th grade Victorian Home Prints

4th graders discussed architectural characteristics and the famous Victorian homes in San Francisco. Students carved a styrofoam plate and printed 2 prints using brayers and ink.

4th grade

4th graders have been learning about Keith Haring. Students discussed proportion and practiced gesture drawings. Students chose a gesture and filled in the sentence, "I feel ___________ when I __________" and created a drawing that illustrated their sentence. Here students are filling in their drawings with analogous and contrasting colors.