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This is a great technique for any artist looking into experimenting with different mediums! The results are pretty awesome considering that it is done with crayons. I particularly liked the black background; It has a marbleized feel to it. Here are the steps:
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   This technique is a great way for student to learn about reliefs and helps them use their motor skills as they mold their clay. It's a simple process using model magic, a small canvas panel (I used a size 4x4, one for each student), glue, wood sticks for texture and paint. Procedure: 1. Students begin by pinching off pieces of clay and shaping them into a desired shape. I showed them how using coils can help create beautiful designs. They also shaped other pieces into small balls, leafs and animals. 2. We covered the 4x4 canvas with glue and placed these shapes onto the small canvas by arranging them in an interesting way and making additional lines with the wooden stick for texture. Make sure to use plenty of glue so that the model magic does not fall off the canvas once it is dry. 3. The clay and glue need to dry overnight so we can paint it the next day. 4. We proceeded to painting the entire canvas using a turquoise colored paint as an undercoat, making sure to paint fully into the gaps. With a wet rag, we wiped the surface paint and then added the metallic colors where we wiped. 5. Finally, I added a coating of gloss modpodge for final sealant and protection. Materials: 1oz pk of model magic per student, 4x4 canvas panel, wood sticks, turquoise (or other color) undercoat paint, metallic paint (we used Prang Metallic Watercolor), wash cloths/rags, glossy modpodge  This is a fun and creative art lesson for various ages on Mola-like projects. Students get to create their own Mola using felt, scissors, and glue. Procedure: 1. We begin by cutting out a basic animal shape. To do this, I had several stencils made out of different animals and made sure to keep the animal shapes as simple as possible; turtles, birds, fish. I had them trace the animal shape with a black marker onto a full sheet of felt and cut it out with the scissors. They placed it onto a full, uncut sheet of different colored felt. 2. Once students cut out their animal shape, we then cut out another color shape to cover part of the animal (we cut a big round/oval shape). This gives it some contrast and helps the smaller pieces stand out against the main animal. 3. Students get other pieces of felt of various colors and cut out smaller shapes such as squares, triangles, stripes and other interesting designs. They then place these shapes in an interesting pattern or arrangement on top, making sure to spread them all throughout the main animal. I have them lay out their shapes first then glue them into place. 3. I make sure to use plenty of Mola samples and explain to students the complexity of making a real Mola. I also teach them about the historical aspect and importance of the Mola for the Kuna women in Panama. This helps them be more creative in the process of making their design. Materials: Felt sheets, scissors, glue, animal shape stencil for main animal, black sharpie   This is a great art lesson to wrap up the school year! I explained the meaning of Pop Art, used several artists to describe its meaning and provided visuals of Pop Art paintings. Students are able to relate Pop Art to popular contemporary icons and how it can be used in a work of art. Procedure: 1. We begin by folding our paper into four even pieces (fold half and half again). 2. We then used a plastic cup as guide to draw a circle for our round shaped emojis. We drew all four emojis first with our black sharpie. Not all emojis turned out to be round. I noticed students' engagement was very positive for this lesson. They seem to really like emojis nowadays. 3. They proceed to paint their picture using watercolor paints. Materials: White paper, black sharpies, plastic cups, watercolor paints This art lesson can help students understand silhouettes and color contrast. Procedure: 1. We begin by drawing an animal shape with a pencil or pen(I used die cut shapes of cows and unicorns in which the unicorn shapes were able to be replaced by horses by removing the horn and adding ears like in the samples above) 2. We then proceeded by adding a watercolor background using long horizontal strokes to create a sunset/sky effect. We even painted over our shape since it is still visible over the watercolor background. 2. Underneath the hooves of the animal, we painted two black dots and used those dots as guide to create horizon line. I noticed that students tend to make their horizon line higher if we don't first draw the dots under the hooves. (They connect the dots and proceed to drawing the horizon line all the way across their paper and filling the ground area with black paint.) 3. They also fill in their animal shape with black. 4. Once they have their animal shape and ground area painted in, they now use black paint to draw the trunk of the tree, branches and twigs. 5. I provide a thick bristle brush for the leafs and using a dabbing technique, students add the leafs on the tree. Materials: white paper, black paint, ink pens or pencils, die cut animal shapes, brushes This is a great lesson for caricature and learning about the making of a cartoon character! Procedure: 1. On a black sheet of construction paper, begin by drawing their cartoon character using a white oil pastel. I normally have students begin drawing the mouth, nice and big, then the eyes and nose and finally the head, body, ears, horns, accessories, etc. We draw the mouth first nice and big so that they can have a full size character, almost as big as their sheet of paper. They use a guided sheet for ideas as to how to draw the main facial features. I also advise students to think about their characters personality, what it likes, and where it lives. They add these features with the white oil pastel. 2. Once students have drawn their cartoon character, including a background and any additional marks, they can proceed to coloring it using colored oil pastels. 3. Finally, students can retrace their picture using a black oil pastel for definition. Materials: Black construction paper, oil pastels, reference guides on how to draw cartoon characters This is a great technique for any lesson on ancient civilizations. You will notice that the results have a petroglyph like effect. For this project, you will need visuals and ancient images of some sort as guidance.
Procedure: 1. Using a reference guide with visual samples of a variety of petroglyphs, have students draw the image using black glue. They can draw extra details such as dots, designs and any additional symbols using the black glue. 2. As soon as they finish their black glue outline, they can sprinkle some coffee over the surface of the rock, making sure that the glue areas are covered in the coffee. 3. Let dry and brush off any excess coffee from the surface using an old toothbrush. Materials: Black glue ( I mixed Elmers glue with black tempera paint or you can use the ready made black glue), rocks, petroglyph images, ground coffee, toothbrushes. Flowers for Mom For this project, students started by painting the background with a light color, we used light pink/orange/tan. As students followed my step-by-step guided sample, I drew the vase towards the bottom half portion of my paper, horizontal or vertical view, both work well, depending on the shape of vase they want. After painting the vase, students then added dot stamps using their corks, we made about 6 or 7 dots, making sure to stamp the dots apart from each other so that there is sufficient room for petals. Once students made the yellow dots, we then proceeded to add the stems and leafs. Finally students were shown how to draw the petals for the flowers using one single thick stroke for each petal. We added some white to the paint as we made the petals so that the paint could be less translucent and able to paint over their stems and leafs. We even added some brown for the table. Normally, I only provide primary colors when doing projects like these. The students get to do color mixing and learn about color theory as they mix and blend their colors. I also use black and white for tinting and shading our colors. Materials Used: White paper, tempera paint, paint brushes, bottle corks, primaries and neutral colors (red yellow, blue, black and white)  This is a great technique for any lesson on ancient civilizations. You will notice that the results have a petroglyph like effect. For this project, you will need visuals and ancient images of some sort as guidance. Procedure: 1. On a black sheet of construction paper, students draw images pertaining to ancient civilizations using a glue bottle. Have them spread out the images keeping them simple, not much detail, throughout the paper. Make sure students are working well above the paper so that they don’t smear any of the glue. Also, remind students not to touch the paper with their glue tip as they are drawing the images so that the glue marks can be puffy. Keep art project on top of a mat to keep surface area clean. 2. Let the glue dry overnight. 3. Proceed by coloring the dark surface, not the glue lines, with colored chalk and smudge the chalk into place with a cutip or finger tip. 4. Finalize the artwork by adding a hint of white paint on a round porous sponge and lightly tapping it over the surface of the colored sheet. You can use a paper plate to dab some paint onto the sponge and repeat the dabbing process until the whole surface has been lightly tapped with the sponge. Make sure to dab over the dried glue so that the paint can mark up the images previously drawn with glue. 5. Stop dabbing as soon as you notice a rock-like effect and you are satisfied with your work. Overly dabbing with the sponge can cover up your previous work. Materials: Black construction paper, Elmer’s glue, colored chalk pastels, round porous sponges, paper plates, examples of ancient artwork, cutips (optional), washcloths and mats to keep area clean.  Joan Miro Surrealist Batik Effect: This is a quick and easy technique to create beautiful batik-like projects. For preparation, you will need pieces of muslin cut out to desired size and visuals for reference and inspiration. I based my lesson on Joan Miro, so I used similar images and drew Joan Miro inspired critters on the board as reference. I also handed out additional sheets with more visuals for student guidance. Procedure: 1. With a black Sharpie or permanent marker, draw a desired image. If drawing Joan Miro’s inspired characters, make sure to also draw a background for your picture. Keep art project on top of a mat to keep surface area clean. 2. Using washable markers, add plenty of ink by quickly scribbling throughout the picture. You don’t have to worry about coloring neatly so long as there are plenty of colors all over. 3. With a paintbrush, apply some water over the colored surface using a tapping motion. The colors will soon bleed into the muslin and create some wonderful batik-like effects. 4. For display purposes, you can glue top of “batik” to a dowel rod to make a banner. Materials: Muslin cut into desired size (one piece per student), black permanent markers, colored washable markers, glue and dowel rods for display  This is a quick and easy technique to create beautiful batik-like projects. For preparation, you will need pieces of muslin cut out to desired size and visuals for reference and inspiration. I based my lesson on on world batiks and provided visuals for inspiration. Procedure: 1. With an Elmer's glue bottle, draw a desired image. Keep the shapes as simple as possible and make sure to also draw a border for your picture. Keep art project on top of a regular sheet of paper at all times, even as it dries. 2. Let the glue image dry overnight. You'll notice that the sheet of paper has stuck to the back of the muslin. That is fine, it'll eventually dissolve. 3. Next, spritz some fabric paint all over the surface of the image. I used light colors, such as yellow and red, to have a good contrast. 4. Crumple the fabric into a tight ball so that the colors can soak in. 5. Now color in the main shapes with permanent markers. 6. Soak the project in hot water for 15 minutes or so. 7. Rub off the glue with your fingers and remove any paper from the back. 8. You can add embellishments to the supporting skewer for a finishing touch. I added some burlap and hand-made paper beads. Materials: Muslin cut into desired size, Elmer's glue, fabric spray paint, permanent markers, regular white sheet of paper, water, skewer for display + embellishments.  Pop Art These crayon rubbings work great for projects that require multiple images of the same kind and can be useful in teaching Pop Art. For preparation, you will need to make your own crayon rubbing stencils, one can be shared among two students. I made a set of 16 stencils for my 32 students. To do so, you need to draw an image with pencil on a 4.5” x 6” photo paper, shiny side up. I used this size because I was teaching Pop Art and needed four rubbings to fit on a 9” x 12” sheet of paper. Once you have traced your image with pencil, trace it again with glue over the pencil marks and let it dry over night. If the glue warps up the paper, you can place small heavy items to hold it down as flat as possible making sure that these items do not touch the wet glue. This will allow the glue to dry as evenly as possible with a notable relief. Once dried, the result will be ready to be used as a crayon rubbing. Aside from your stencils, you will also need to cut out many white pieces of paper that are the same size as your stencil. I used four per student. Procedure: 1. Have students place their stencil on their desk and tape a same size white paper on top. Have them put a small piece of masking tape on each corner so that the image doesn’t move once they start rubbing. 2. Use a crayon flat on the surface and rub over the entire area. Make sure students are holding their crayon sideways, completely flat on the paper. Rub up and down, and side to side until the image is clearly visible. 3. Remove the tape and repeat the process to create multiple images. 4. Once students have the desired amount of crayon rubbings, they can proceed to painting each one with watercolors. (You can try metallic watercolors and metallic crayons to enhance this project.) 5. Mount your images on a larger sheet of paper of your choice. It is best to adhere the project with diluted glue and a paintbrush so that the glue marks will not show once the glue dries up. My sample above shows eight rubbings on a 12” x 18” sheet. Materials: Stencils (I made my own using glue on photo paper/cardstock and letting it dry), white paper cut to stencil size, masking tape, peeled crayons, watercolor paints, mounting paper, watered down glue  Pop Art Lesson Overview Visuals: Visual Sample of Britto’s work including online references. Students Will: 1. Study the art of Brazilian artist, Romero Britto. 2. Create a work of art based on his style. 3. Understand and apply media, techniques and processes. 4. Learn about the life of the artist. Objectives: 2.4 Plan and use variations in line, shape/form, color, and/or texture to communicate ideas or feelings in a work of art. 4.4 Use appropriate vocabulary of art to describe successful use of an element of art in a work of art. 4.3 Select an artist’s work and, using appropriate vocabulary of art, explain its successful compositional and communicative qualities. Instruction: Students are to begin by free-hand drawing a Pop-Art/Britto inspired image with a black oil pastel or black sharpie (visuals will be provided). They must press hard for the oil pastel lines to really show and the background should also be completed at this point (keep in mind that drawings should be bold and simple, not much detail added). Students will also add any patterns and designs in some areas similar to those used by Britto. Once students are through with their drawing, they should proceed to painting their image with watercolor paints making sure to add water to the paint sets prior to starting to paint (this will help the colors stand out bolder in their artwork). Finally, students traced their main black lines using black glue. We let them dry overnight before taking them home. Materials: White Paper Watercolor Paint Wash Cloths Mats Brushes Black Oil Pastels/ or black sharpies Black Glue (I use mixed Elmer's glue with black tempera paint) Terminology/Elements and Principles of Art: Line Pop Art Color Contemporary Artist Shape Bold Color Pattern Bold Lines/Shapes Geometric Style Characteristics of Pop-Art Painting: *Simple, everyday imagery *Vibrant Colors *Pop-Art Iconic Imagery was common, such as advertisements, consumer products, photos and film stars/celebrities, comic strips  Modernism Lesson Overview Visuals: Visual Samples of O’Keeffe’s work including online references and story read book of Georgia O’Keeffe, written and illustrated by Mike Venecia. Students Will: 1. Study the art of American artist, Goergia O’Keeffe. 2. Create a work of art based on her famous flowers. 3. Understand and apply media, techniques and processes. 4. Learn about the life of the artist. Objectives: 4.2 Identify and describe how a person’s own cultural context influences individual responses to works of art. 2.7 Use contrast (light and dark) expressively in an original work of art. 1.2 Perceive and discuss differences in mood created by warm and cool colors. 4.4 Use appropriate vocabulary of art to describe successful use of an element of art in a work of art. 4.3 Select an artist’s work and, using appropriate vocabulary of art, explain its successful compositional and communicative qualities. Instruction: With a black sharpie, students are to begin by tracing a copy of Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers on a transparency. They proceed to color the image with permanent markers, choosing a color scheme of interest, warm or cool colors and making sure to color with the side of the markers so that the ink is thoroughly and evenly spread out. They are also required to paint the background with a contrasting color. Make sure to explain the meaning of warm/cool colors and what they represent. They then mount their project onto a piece of slightly crumpled aluminum foil and frame. Materials: O’Keeffe visuals Permanent colored markers Transparencies Black sharpies Clear tape Tin foil Flower copy Mats Terminology/Elements and Principles of Art Used: Warm Colors Cool Colors Color Contrast Mood/feeling This blog is for all art advocates: parents, educators, artists, and any art adventurers looking into promoting the arts among younger generations. It gives insights and tips on mediums and how to apply them strategically to create fun, educational and engaging art lessons on just about any subject.
You can check out some of my videos on how to create some wonderful art projects for all ages (I've included a YouTube link on the right hand side of my blog). What I like about these is that you use very inexpensive material and you can apply them to large groups of students. The way my consultation contract works is that I cover six, 45 minute classes in one school day, that's about 150 students. They each create the same lesson until I see all 500+ or so students in approximately 2 weeks. I do this in several schools so I only go to each site twice per week. With 10 years of experience as art consultant, I've learned what works best for my students to understand, create and learn about a new art concept, topic or idea, especially when working with such high number of students. I try to simplify my lessons as best as possible so that my students, regardless of age, are capable of producing a beautiful masterpiece! Creating an art lesson is like creating a work of art. As an artist and art consultant, I have found these two to go hand in hand for they both take time, dedication and creativity. Artists and art educators both seek ideas and inspiration in order to achieve successful results. So in this site, you will find great ideas in creating art projects that have been tested and are engaging for all ages. When I first started teaching art in 2006, I had no idea what materials to use with my students other than crayons, markers, paint, pencils and paper; nor did I know what to teach or where to start for that matter. I was an artist, not an art teacher, but the principal at my school figured that if I was able to produce art, I would also be able to teach it. So, I went along with the flow, thinking that I’d be just as good teaching art as producing it. This is how my journey in teaching the arts began. I didn’t know what to expect and from one day to another, I was faced with a crowd of little faces eagerly waiting for me to bring down the glory. It all was so sudden to me that I did not know where to start, or how to start. So, I relied on my own intuition and creative nature to guide me. Thinking of various ways to introduce the arts to elementary school students without any formal guidance of some sort nor training, I made up my own art lessons based on ideas I found online, books, nature, and other sources. I was soon on my way to a start-up career that not many people do for a living. I became a “traveling artist” pushing a cart of art material around and executing a 45 minute art lesson to each class at a time until going to every classroom in the school and then starting all over again with a different lesson a week after that. I even found humor to my job as teachers would joke around when they’d see me out and about with my cart, “Get your hot dogs! Get your hot dogs!” Young and full of energy, and enjoying what I do, I was just having the time of my life. I was getting paid for something I loved to do- something that ever since childhood I was passionate for: the arts. And to be sharing it with the little ones was even more rewarding and delightful. My search in lesson planning became intensive after sadly finding out that many students weren’t able to produce a work of art by solely relying on their intuition and imagination. They needed structured guidance and step-by-step procedures, and if they didn’t have that, their effort diminished; for some, to the point of giving up. Since art was something they didn’t have in their classroom, though, it soon became a privilege and an incentive to many students who were not performing at grade level. Now, I was faced with keeping them motivated in learning about art and basic mediums like crayons, markers, paint, pencils and paper were just not enough. I began exploring various mediums and topics to keep them engaged. Simultaneously, I was learning from them much more than they were learning from me. Not only were students teaching me how to teach art, but to also hold high expectations of their capabilities. I learned that if my art lessons were fun and challenging, I was able to keep their focus throughout the lesson and that the results were quite impressive. I also learned to have fun with them while instructing for they also had great fun creating. My ultimate goal for each lesson became: to explore, create and enjoy art. Students should have an opportunity to express themselves artistically through exploration, creativity and enjoyment. When this happens, they are geared towards a more fulfilling art experience. In my instruction, I make sure to constantly reinforce exploration, creativity and enjoyment and affirm to my students that there is no such thing as mistakes in art. I have found that a positive mindset and constructive support really help those in need of encouragement when it comes down to it. They learn to rely on their own intuition and become more independent thinkers, solving their way through any challenges and accepting their art as unique as they are. It really builds self confidence and optimism in the way they perceive art. After the first few years, I realized that I was doing something right once I started getting calls from other principals to also teach art in their schools. With so many requests, I often wanted to split myself into many of ‘me’ in order to meet the high demand. I also did not want to wear myself down, especially once I realized I was serving five different schools at a time and working several after school art programs. With thousands of students to work with, I had to find ways of being efficient with my time and my art budget, so I developed strategies that helped me as an art consultant and that I will now share with you in this blog. These strategies are based on mediums that have worked well for me but you can always alter the medium according to your needs. I have also included some tips on how to work with and manage your mediums for successful results. I hope you find these tips useful. Get to know your art medium: One of the best ways in getting to know your art mediums is putting them to practice yourself prior to the art lesson. By working with the art medium yourself, you’ll know specifically what materials you will need and how to use them. I do this all the time before I actually present an art project to my students. By doing so, I automatically know what works best, what doesn’t work and how difficult working with a specific medium can be, mainly when working with little ones or special ed. Getting to know your art mediums can also help you avoid improvising all the time, especially when you are limited in time or when you are all caught up trying to make things work for you and a handful of students that are eagerly waiting for your help and guidance. When you practice using your medium beforehand, you are better able to focus on what is more important, making sure the students are able to work with it themselves. Manipulate your medium to engage your crowd: When you put your mediums to practice, you can twitch things to your favor and creating new art lessons will just come naturally. I have found that you can teach just about any subject matter: artist, historical theme, concept, idea, culture, standard, etc. through means of art. Some students are even better able to grasp what they learn this way. The challenge relies on how to keep them engaged. When you manipulate your mediums, not only do you find multiple usage for the same item, but you also expose students to different ways of creating beautiful art, and thus, being creative in the process. This keeps them engaged and curious about implementing new ways in working with the same tools and material. Explore fun mediums: Don’t limit yourself and explore what’s out there. There are infinite sources, art materials, techniques, and approaches to art that simply sticking to one medium is not enough. You can create wonderful art projects that are engaging, educational and fun using low cost and easy to acquire materials. The resources are out there and your possibilities on creativity are endless. We may limit ourselves because of budget cuts and our supply list may be reduced down to but a few items, but there are ways of getting around limited resources when we know where to look and how to use art material effectively and strategically. Rather than limiting them, let your students explore and open up to endless possibilities of creating wonderful works of art. Remember always to explore and keep your eyes open for new material and ways of implementing it. Keep it Safe: I’ve found safety to be on my priority list when creating an art project for my kids. It is very important to handle safety responsibly with your students and discuss the do’s and don’ts with them so that they know what to expect and how to handle the material adequately. Before starting each lesson, for instance, I talk about the materials we will be working with and demonstrate how to use them. This helps them understand the importance of safely working with mediums that they may not be familiar with. All in all, I hope that you and all young learners can have a great journey exploring and creating fun and educational art projects, and I hope my guidance can assist you in that journey. Regards, Ms. Oropeza Artist/Art Consultant |
AuthorWith over 10 years of experience as art consultant and full-life time artist, I've learned what works best for my students and how they can better understand, create and learn about a new art concept, topic or idea, especially when working with high numbers of students. I try to simplify my lessons as best as possible so that my students, regardless of age, are capable of producing a beautiful masterpiece! 
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