A few photos from the art room...

Mrs. Gelatt's class, painting fall leaves.

Mrs. Connor's class, experimenting with paint and textures.

A few scary monsters from Ms. Geis's class. Rawr!

Sketchbook #10 - Negative Space Drawing

Due November 13 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Negative Space Drawing

1. Lightly trace a pair of small scissors at least 3 times onto your sketchbook page.
2. Color the background using at least 3 different colors of crayons, in any pattern, as long as the end result is solid. No light or scribbly coloring allowed! The bolder background, the more the scissors stand out. 
3. Leave the inside of the scissors empty (white). 

Below is my example. Be creative and have fun! :)

Sketchbook Assignment #9 - Magazine Color Collage

Due November 6 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Magazine color collage

1. Choose a color. 
2. Search for magazine photos and collect as many different objects or swatches in your chosen color as possible.
3. Cut out and glue of your images onto your sketchbook page, with the goal of overlapping and filling up the page.

Below is my example. Be creative and have fun! Happy hunting!

Sketchbook Assignment #8 - Element of Art - "Value"

Due October 30 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Element of Art - "Value" drawing

1. Draw a simple border around the sketchbook paper. 
2. Write the title, "Element of Art - Value" in large letters at the top of the paper. Trace with marker.
3. Below the title, write the definition of value - the lightness or darkness of a color, used to add light and shadow.
4. Below the definition, draw 3 boxes and make these 3 shades of gray, using just a pencil. Add a simple house below.
5. Draw a horizon line.
6. Add a road and hills in the background. Fill all areas with at least 3 different shades of gray.

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun!

Sketchbook Assignment #11 - Contour Drawing

Due November 20 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Contour Drawing

1. Trace your hand in pencil. Unusual placement and cropping is encouraged!
2. Use a thick or thin black Sharpie or other black marker, draw in as many line details as you can (nails, wrinkles, etc.).
3. Choose a line pattern and completely fill in the background (negative space). 

Below is my example. You may copy my format or create your own. Be creative and have fun!

Sketchbook Assignment #7 - "Places I'd Like to Visit" drawing

Due October 23 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: "Places I'd Like to Visit" drawing

1. Draw a border around the sketchbook paper.
2. Write the title, "Places I'd Like to Visit" or "Five Places I'd Like to Visit" or something similar.
3. List at least 5 different places you would like to visit - you can list more than 5; you can list places you've been to before and would like to go back to; please no made up places!
4. Please use marker or a darker colored art material to write your title and list so that it shows up.
5. Draw a travel related picture in the background - such as an airplane in the sky, the open road or something related to one of the places you'd like to visit. 

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun! I'm looking forward to hearing about the places you'd like to visit!

Sketchbook Assignment #6 - "My Favorite" collage/drawing

Due October 16 
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: "My Favorite" collage/drawing

1. Find a picture of one of your favorite things. Find it in a magazine, take a picture of it, print it from your computer. 
2. Cut the picture out and glue this picture in the middle of your paper.
3. Title it, "My favorite..." and then caption underneath the picture with what your favorite thing is. You can write this sentence in a different format, as long as it is talking about your favorite thing that is pictured.
4. Using any type of art materials (colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, etc), color in a bright, colorful, vibrant, exciting background that draws attention to the picture of your favorite thing. By the time you're done, your paper should be filled! 

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun! I'm looking forward to seeing what your favorite things are!

Sketchbook Assignment #5 - Tissue Paper Leaves

Due October 9
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Tissue Paper Leaves

1. Cut out 3 large shapes and 3 small shapes from fall colored tissue paper.
2. Glue all 6 pieces down to your paper. Some parts can overlap if you want. 
3. Let this dry fully before drawing on them - or you'll end up with a glue-y, ripped up paper mess! Yuck!
4. Find 3 different types of leaves you can draw - either on the Internet, in books, magazines or even outside! I'll be sending home a handout with 4 different examples you may use as well. Draw one type per large piece of tissue paper - make sure you draw it large enough to fit on the large piece of tissue paper!
5. Label each type of leaf you drew.
6. Draw three more leaves (any type you want) in the background, so that your drawing is complete and fills the page.
7. You don't have to color the white paper background. 

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun! I'm looking forward to seeing your fall leaves! 

Sketchbook Assignment #4 - Circle Drawing/Collage

Due October 2
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Circle drawing/collage

1. Cut out 12 circles that are the SAME size from magazines/scrap paper. Must be paper so you can color on them - can't use fabric for this one! 
2. Glue them to your page so that you make 4 rows of 3 circles each. 
3. Using Sharpies or some other permanent marker (washable markers won't work on magazine paper), draw two smaller circles within the large cut out circle.
4. Color in your circles, using different colors inside each. 

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun! I'm looking forward to seeing your abstract circle art!

Sketchbook Assignment #3 - Happiness List

Due September 25
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Happiness List

1. Title the page: "Happiness List" or  "My Happiness Instructions". 
2. List 5 things that you can do to make you happy when you're having a rough day. You may list more than 5 but not less.
3. Use fun lettering.
4. Add pattern to the background (not so much that you can't read the list). 
5. Don't forget to color fully!

Below is my example. You may copy the format or make up your own. Be creative and have fun! I'm looking forward to reading what you come up with!

Sketchbook Assignment #2 - Hot Air Balloon Collage

Due September 18
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Hot Air Balloon Collage

1. Cut out 3 different size circles out of colored or patterned paper. If you don't have this at home, please take 3 different pieces of paper from class. 
2. Glue the circles onto various spots on your paper and make them into your "hot air balloons" using markers, crayons, whatever you choose. 
3. Making the words look like they're floating through the air, write, "Someday I want to travel to..." and finish the sentence with where you would like to visit someday. Anywhere at all! Have fun with it!

Here is my example. You can copy this format or create your own. Be creative and have fun! I can't wait to find out where you'd like to travel to some day!

Sketchbook Assignment #1 - Goals for 2014-2015 school year

Due September 11
Assignment MUST be competed in your sketchbook, or you will receive a zero.
Be sure to follow these guidelines for every assignment:

• Drawing must fill the entire page (3 points)
• Drawing must use full color or shading. You may use crayons, pencils, colored pencils, paint, etc. Your choice. (3 points)
• Drawing must show great attention to detail (3 points)
• The date your sketch is due must be written in the top right corner of the page (1 point)

This week's assignment: Goals for the 2014-2015 school year

1. Title "Goals for the 2014-2015 school year" somewhere on page. Play with the writing - get creative and have fun! 
2. Draw your hand, front or back, left or right, trace it or look at your hand to draw it. Your choice. 
3. Write AT LEAST 3 goals you have for this school year (could be for outside of school, too).
4. Add a pattern in the background. 

This is my example. You can copy the format or make up your own, as long as it meets the above guidelines. Have fun! Can't wait to see them next week! 

Greetings!

Welcome back, MPPS students, families and staff! I am so excited to start the 2014-2015 school year (my third year with MPPS!), especially in a brand new specials room! It's been many years since I have had a classroom, so I feel very grateful to have a space to call "home". Our first art class together will be Thursday, September 4. 

My goal this year is to use this blog more frequently to share what we are doing in class; resources; inspiration; and something new: weekly sketchbook assignments! Students will receive the sketchbook assignment list for the quarter, we will review the assignment due for the following week in class, and I will post it on this blog so that not only can students refer to it, but families can, too!

While sketchbook assignments are still weeks away, I thought I'd start off by attaching the beginning of the year documents for art class in this post. I'll be handing these out at Back to School Night on Monday, August 18. Click on any of the following links below that refer to your child:

Art Class Expectations - all grades

Art Class info - Grades K-2

Art Class info - Grades 3-6

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday, August 18! Enjoy your last few weeks of summer vacation! :)