Since this week is the start of Parent Conferences and I don't have any classes on Wednesday, I have extra time to think and plan. I had my first meeting with 4th graders last week and noticed that many seemed unsure of how to control their watercolors. Some forgot to blot the brush and ended up with puddles of water, others didn't add enough water to get a "flow" and some never did get the hang of cleaning the brush in water before changing colors. So I am thinking about having them do a short project designed to address these issues.
First they'll trace a contour line around some art tools, having at least one media or tool go "off the page." We'll use a watercolor tray for sure, and then maybe scissors, paintbrush, pencil, etc.
Next we'll paint the watercolors themselves using different techniques: wet on wet, wet on dry, salt, plastic wrap blotting, etc. Because the area is so confined, I am thinking kids can really focus on the media.
When the painting is done, students will outline loosely with black markers. Finally, thinking about composition, they'll cut out the arrangement and glue on a black background.
What a terrific idea to learn them about the use of water colours this way! It seems necessary, also in my classes I saw last week. Some students forgot to use water.... poor paint!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project! I love that they are drawing the actual art tools. I'd like to see how these turn out.
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