Andy Warhol Elementary Art Lesson

Our school-wide Andy Warhol project is well underway. They have enjoyed learning about Warhol and really enjoy his graphic, bright, and popular subjects. The kids say Warhol would have painted Justin Bieber, Salina Gomez, and Spongebob, if he were still alive. Warhol's famous screenprinting style can be found everywhere, including a phone app called Popstamatic. It's free, super easy to use, and gives Warhol quotes while your image is being Popstamaticized. I am always trying to offer a home + technology extension for extra credit. Let your child take a photo using the app, "Warholize" it, print it or post to our Facebook page wall. They love seeing eachothers' photos online.
The kinders through 4th are creating graphic, "mechanically" made, flat and brightly colored pop art creations. We have 400 Warhol inspired hands and soup cans being created.

As an Art + Community extension, I thought it would be a wonderful lesson to share our project with our city by donating our "models" to a local food bank. 400 cans of soup to help feed the hungry and 400 students learning to extend kindness and generosity to others in need. Thank you to all who have opted to participate in this community extension.

SECOND through FOURTH GRADES

We are learning: Pop Art style, process of "mechanically made" art, graphic design, shape, form, value, typography, and craftsmanship. They will be graded on:

• Neatness of Lettering
• Cylindrical Shape
• Shading and Shadows
• Painting Techniques
• Overall Craftsmanship and Effort

Stay tuned for future updates with final pieces and step-by-step photos for all the grades.

FIRST GRADE _ WARHOL HANDS
We are learning: Pop Art, graphic art, and "mechanically" made art. Cool and warm colors, complementary colors, primary colors, cutting from the "inside" versus the "outside" of a shape (this was rather challenging for some of the students), painting, gluing neatly and with the appropriate amount of glue, overall craftsmanship.

KINDERGARTEN - WARHOL COLORING
We are learning: Pop art, slowing down and calming down to create better art, staying within the lines, using warm or cool colors, color opposites. Advanced students are studying the shape of the can and free-hand sketching it and the label.

Color Wheel - elementary art class

This week we are introducing the color wheel to the primary grades. I found this uncomplicated color wheel on Art Projects for Kids --if you are interested in printing one for home, it's a free download.

The kinders and first graders will  practice drawing and cutting circles to make their own color wheel. Once completed, we will label the colors and begin our discussion of the senses to prepare for next week's lesson using fruit, the senses, and the color wheel.

Shared on smArt Class

The upper grades have already been introduced to the color wheel in years past, therefore, we will be applying our knowledge in a discussion of our artist of the month,  Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890). By analyzing his Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, 1888, the students should be able to recognize the energizing power of color placement. In this painting, Van Gogh uses the complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel) orange and blue to direct our eye around the image while giving a "glowing" effect from the night windows. When two colors are placed next to one another simultaneous contrast occurs. Simultaneous contrast occurs when any two colors are placed side-by-side. The edge where the two colors meet will change our perception of that color. Impressionist artists used this technique in their works. Van Gogh, a post-impressionist,  uses simultaneous contrast in its most bold form--placing complementary colors next to one another. By doing so, Van Gogh's paintings have a vibrational quality to the colors. The windows glow by placing a blue color immediately next to them. The cobblestones add movement from the repetition, pattern, and color choice. By using the opposite warm and cool colors, it adds depth because cool colors recede into the background and warm colors come forward.

This discussion will help our students choose colors for their CULTURE & IDENTITY piece coming up.

Analyze Van Gogh's The Night Cafe in the Place Lamartine in Arles, September of 1888 with your child.

Look around the house. What items can your child find that represent complementary colors?