Koi Fish

Seventh grade students spend lots of time studying ancient China and Japan in history class. In the art room, we celebrate these rich cultures through the creation of watercolor koi fish paintings. Combing traditional Asian art, and the Hawaiian flair of artist Sherri Reeves, students drew several koi fish across their rectangular sheet of paper. (This is large! Apx 22x11" inches) Once the have drawn their fish they added sketches of pond life and traced over the entire image in crayon before painting with liquid watercolors. Prior to painting, students applied a 1" masking tape border aroudn the edge of their artwork. Once the fish and pond life were painted, student used toothbrushes to splatter for a whimsical / watery effect!

Thumbprints

While studying the parts of a microscope - along with lots of tiny things, students examined their thumbprints and used them as inspiration for an abstract painting. Next year, I'd like to use their paintings as inspiration for a creative writing piece!

What does those your thumbprint remind you of? A map, ocean waves? How does this resemble your life?

Delicious Paintings!

Seventh grade students create 12x18" paintings of their favorite foods! Inspired by the art of Wayne Thiebaud, students use a grid drawing method to maintain accurate proportions between their original food photograph and their paintings. At the same time, students were studying proportion in math class! Interdisciplinary lessons can be delicious!