Mother's Day Block

In my current residency I have been working on these mixed media blocks for Mother's Day.

We used Model Magic to add a nice 3D element to them. On my sample I wrapped the painting around the sides and back.  At school we only had time for the sides.

Here is some student work.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- wood block, I had standard 2"x6" lumber cut into square pieces
- Model Magic, I buy white and in the large bin. (use your Michael's 40% off coupon). One bin (4pkgs) was more than enough for 2 classes.
- acrylic paint
- heart gems, I stock up at the Dollar Store during Valentines
- tacky glue
- printed text from the computer
- Mod Podge for sealing
- scrapbooking paper, optional

PROCEDURE:

I handed out the wood blocks so the kids could figure out the right size to make the clothing.

Each student got a plum sized piece of Model Magic.

We pressed them flat on a piece of wax paper.

I also gave each student a napkin with their name on it.

Using a plastic knife they cut out the clothing.

Using some assorted tools we added texture to the Model Magic.

Those green tools are from the Dollar Store.  I bought several sets of them.  They are for decorating cupcakes but work great as tools for clay.

Place on napkin/paper towel and set aside to dry.  About 24hrs.

While the Model Magic is drying you can paint the block. Make sure to do the sides and top for a nice finished look.

I gave the kids a few ideas, a nature scene like my sample.

- standing by your house, the house is cut from scrapbooking paper

- shopping in the city, shopping bag is paper

- just a simple background with a few flowers, the flowers are out of paper

Or whatever scene they wished.

We painted the Model Magic after it set.  It's still fragile at this point so i asked the kids to be careful.

Once it's mounted on the block and seal with podge it's firms up and is more durable.

I gave each student a piece of paper and they sketch out the head, arms, and feet of their moms.

We added some outlining and colour and cut our body parts out.

We glued everything into place with some tacky glue.

We added a small heart gem and sealed them with some Mod Podge.




That's it, a great Mother's day gift that will be treasured.


Gail

Calgary Tower and Fort Calgary Art Projects

This is a project I have been doing with Grades 1/2. It relates to Calgary's history but can be adapted to whatever historical landmarks are in your area.



It's an 8"x10" canvas.  This one is for the opening of the Calgary tower in 1967.

This one is for the establishment of Fort Calgary in 1875.





I give the students a choice for which one they want to complete.

Here is some student work.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- 8"x10" substrate, we use canvas, you could use cardboard or hardboard
- drywall filler
- recycled cardboard
- acrylic paint in sky blue, black, green, white, orange, red and purple
- scrap coloured paper, glitter paper
- black and red ribbon
- for Fort Calgary you need some twigs
- blue and red sharpies for Union Jack flag for Fort Calgary
- tacky glue
- printed text labels from the computer
- Mod Podge, optional

PROCEDURE:

Cut pieces for your project out of recycled cardboard.

For the Calgary Tower we cut out the tower and some additional skyscrapers to represent downtown.

For Fort Calgary we cut out a Tipi, the main fort building, and the 2 towers.

The kids wrote their names on every single piece on the coloured side with a sharpie. We turned them to the brown side and gave each piece a coat of drywall filler.  The kids just use 2 or 3 fingers to spread on the drywall.  We don't put it on the coloured side because it has a shiny finish that the drywall doesn't stick to after it has setup.
I also had them add some drywall filler to the canvas to texture the sky a bit.  Set aside to dry overnight.

After the drywall has dried it's time to start painting.  I tape off the horizon line for the kids.  This gives the kids a visual on where to stop painting. Calgary Tower is portrait style, Fort Calgary is landscape.

We paint the sky blue for both the Calgary Tower and Fort Calgary.

Let dry.

While the canvas is drying paint the parts and pieces.

Don't worry about the details just the background colours.




Let dry.

When the canvas is dry I lift the tape and move it up so the edge is right at the end of the blue sky.

For the Calgary Tower we paint the bottom black.  For Fort Calgary we paint it green.

Remove the tape when the ground area is dry.

Using a sponge we sponged on some clouds.  I find that if you moisten the sponge first you get a better result.  You just want it damp.

When your parts and pieces are dry start adding details.


I used black ribbon for the tower and red ribbon for the trim on Fort Calgary.

We also used coloured paper and some glitter paper for our skyscraper windows.

Glue the pieces onto the canvas.

For Fort Calgary we add designs to the Tipi with coloured paper and ribbon, glue on windows and trim, and add a flagpole with a Union Jack we make out of paper and sharpies.

We also add some cut twigs to form the outer wall of the fort.

Finally add the titles.  I printed these off the computer, added a little colour with some disk tempera paint like a wash, and had the kids cut them out.

Glue into place.

You can add a coat of Mod Podge to seal everything into place and give the piece a nice shiny finish.

That's it.


See you next time.

Gail

Penguin Portraits

I completed these penguin portraits with Grade 1 in my last 2 residencies, (about 100 penguins!).






They were quite effective.

Here are some of the student's work.














MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- substrate, we used 12"x12" hardboard but you could use cardboard, poster board, heavy paper or canvas
- recycled cardboard for belly
- drywall filler
- snow glitter
- acrylic paint in dark blue, purple, light purple, yellow, and white
- disk tempera paint
- white paper for painting
- black paper
- large googly eyes, you could also make eyes out of white and black paper
- pipe cleaners in assorted colours
- piece of yellow craft foam for beak
- glue
-small snowflakes
- mod podge, optional

PROCEDURE:

This is a 2 session project.

Out of recycled corrugated cardboard cut out the belly shape. It's an egg shape but then cut straight at the bottom.

Coat one side of the cardboard with drywall filler.  While it is still wet shake on some snow glitter.

Take background and tape off a horizon line.  I do this with Kindergarten to Grade 2. When they start painting the background they have a tough time stopping, the tape gives them a visual finish line.

Paint the background.  We started at the top with dark blue, then purple, and then light purple.  We tried to do some blending so we were not too stripey.



Set aside to dry.

I have this great roll of corrugated cardboard. I think it is sold as packing material. You could also use paper feed thru a crimper or just regular cardboard.

I gave each child a rectangle and they painted it yellow.  This will be for our feet.



This was the end of session 1 for us.

Session 2:

I gave each child a rectangle of white  paper about 4"x6".

Using disk tempera paint we painted it for our ear muffs.  They could do stripes, dots, etc.

Remove tape from background.  Paint bottom with white acrylic.

I gave each child a 8.5'x11' piece of black card stock. We turned it the short way.  Place the now dry belly on the paper, lining it up at the bottom with the paper.  Trace around but leave a gap. You want the black body to be larger than the white belly.

On the sides draw 2 wings.
Cut out the pieces.

Glue the black paper body in place on the background, glue on wings.

We needed to use a glue gun on the belly. (adults only)

Add 2 googly eyes.  I gave each child a small square of yellow craft foam and they cut a triangle for a beak.  I gave them some fabric snowflakes that I get from true Dollar store to glue on the background.

Cut 2 ovals out of the painted paper for ear muffs.

Glue to the sides of the head.  Add 1/2 of a coloured pipe cleaner for the band.

Finally you can add a coat of lodge to seal everything down and give you a nice shiny finish.




That's it.

I wanted to show you our valentine butterflies that we completed in kindergarten.


We used the same lesson as the warm and cool butterflies but cut 2 hearts for the wings.  We also used our Valentine colours.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone.


Gail

Snowman at Night Portraits

Hi everyone. Hope you had a great holiday break. I'm back at it with a new residency.

First up Kindergarten snowman portraits.

For a kindergarten project I like to incorporate lots of tactile elements.
















MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- substrate or base material, I'm using 12"x12" hardboard but you can use cardboard, canvas, or poster board
- blue acrylic paint, if you are not planning to seal this project you can use liquid tempera
- corrugated cardboard cut into a large sized circle and a medium one
- drywall filler
- loose snow glitter
- Crayola model magic in white
- snow fabric
- coloured cardstock in red, orange, brown, and black
- assorted buttons
- tacky glue
- fabric snowflakes or paper punched snowflakes
- small scrap of black felt
alternate hat option:
- scrapbook paper scraps
- small pompom

PROCEDURE:
This is a 2 session project, approximately 45 minutes each.

Like most of my sessions we work from the cleanest activity to the messiest.  This limits our hand washing until the very end saving time.

We start with the model magic.  Give each student a piece of model magic about the size of a large cherry.

I ask the kids to roll it between the palms of their hands to form a ball and then squish it flat to form a circle.

Each child is given a paper towel with their name on it.  Place the circle on the paper towel.

Next I hand out the cardboard circles.  For kindergarten I have pre cut these.     For higher grades I would have them cut it out themselves.



Put some drywall filler on a disposable plate and hand out to students.  I have them share.

While the drywall is still wet sprinkle on the snow glitter.  It will stick on the surface.



Set aside to dry.  I have the kids place it on that same paper towel that has their name on it.

Hand out the substrates.

I initially was only going to use 1 colour of blue but the class I taught before kindergarten was using 2 colours of blue so I just re-used the plates of paint. I must say the backgrounds turned out much more vibrant with 2 colours.

Paint the substrate.




That's the end of session 1.  Allow for some overnight drying time.
Session 2:

I stocked up on snow fabric on clearance after Christmas as January is full of snow projects!

Cut a length of snow fabric to fit at bottom of substrate.  With kinders I pre cut.

Easiest way to glue this on is to add glue to the bottom of your background and then place the snow fabric on top.

Now we glue on the 2 circles. If they have warped a bit you will need to use the glue gun. Adult use only.

Glue the model magic head on.

I ran some brown card stock thru the paper shredder. We used these strips to make the arms.

Time for the hat.  For my sample I did a top hat.  Cut a rectangle out of card stock.  My card stock is crimped with my paper crimper (what a great tool!)

Glue into place.

Add a strip of black felt for the brim of the hat.

Alternate hat:  I also offered scrapbook paper for the kids to make a toque and a white pompom.

Add some buttons.

Add some googly eyes, you could also make these out of paper. Cut a mouth out of red paper and a orange nose.

Add a moon for our 'Snowmen at Night' and a few snowflakes.

If you want to seal this project you can use Mod Podge, Duraclear, or your favourite shellac. Just avoid the snow fabric and felt brim.

That's it. I hope to have some pictures of the kinder work shortly.

Gail