Once backgrounds are complete they get a smaller rectangle of white paper and I show them how to fold it vertically, drawing only half of their rocket with ebony pencil. Then they fold and rub the paper with something hard (back of scissors work great!) they can hardly believe their eyes when they see their image transferred to the other side and is now symmetrical!
They trace the rocket with sharpie, cut it out and glue onto their background.
After learning about Laurel Burch, we practiced designs and patterns in our sketchbooks. Students picked a color of construction paper (11x17") and used a tracer for just the body outline of the cat. I gave them two options-sitting cat or standing cat.
We began by looking at several paintings by Matisse including his fishbowl still life. We discussed his use of line, shape and color. Students were taught how to draw the still life step by step in pencil on white construction paper and outlined with jumbo black sharpie.
On painting day, I had pre-made cups of various mixed colors of tempera waiting for them. We saved the cups from class to class by covering with a plastic sandwich bag and rubber band. They loved painting these and the color combos they chose were brilliant!
We began by drawing a pumpkin step by step on white construction paper and added the lines that divide the different sections. I have the students yellow, orange, and red tempera and had them experiment with mixing these to get various warm colors (golden, tangerine, mac n cheese, red orange, etc.) They painted each section a different color.
The next day they outlined the pumpkin and sections with oil pastel and added a different pattern in each section with oil pastels. We looked at and discussed a ton of different patterns prior to starting along with several works by Romero Britto. Lastly, they cut out their pumpkin, glued onto a background paper and added the green vines! These turned out stunning!
