6th Grade: Van Gogh Autumn Landscapes

After looking at various landscapes by Van Gogh, students began this project by drawing hills and shading and blending them with chalk pastels.  Then they did the same for the sky, using a paper towel wrapped around their finger to blend. For the sky they could choose either warm or cool colors, and either a swrirly sky or a radiating sun sky.  Second day, students used oil pastels to create their sky, trees and grass.  On the last day they finished up the details and did a leaf rubbing for the corner using a real leaf.

2nd Grade: Vincent Van Gogh Sunflowers

After learning about Vincent and his sunflowers, we did a step by step drawing of the sunflowers in pencil.  Students then traced over pencil with sharpies and added their name in the vase.  Second day we began painting just the flowers and stems.  Third day, we painted the vase, table and background.  I love how they all turn out so different! These made wonderful Mother's Day gifts as well!

2nd Grade: Starry Night

This is a 3 week lesson and each one turns out so cute!  First day we look at Starry Night here and I give the students a palette of sky blue, regular blue, black and white tempera.  They mix right onto the paper to make the sky.  I challenge them to try and mix as many different shades of blue as possible. Lastly they add the swirls with white tempera and a small brush.  Second day, they add the hill, tree, and moon by cutting and gluing construction paper.  They add stars, glow, and tree texture with oil pastels.  Last day, they create a village using colorful construction paper and glue sticks.  They can make houses, churches, libraries, schools, skycrapers, etc.  They get pretty creative with this part. I love the variety I get with this project!