3rd Grade Color Mixing and Self Portraits

These 3rd grade self-portraits were charming and delightful.  We spent two class periods mixing colors for the background.  Each student experimented with combining colors to see what would happen.  Then, we used construction paper to make the faces and markers to add details.  I guided them step-by-step with tips for drawing and placing the features.  The students used mirrors when drawing their features. 

Pop Art pictures: 2nd grade

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done.  Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it.  While they are deciding, make even more art.” Andy Warhol

The 2nd graders learned about Andy Warhol.  We read Getting to Know Andy Warhol, by Mike Venezia and we viewed a short video about the artist. 

The students drew themselves while looking in a mirror.  Then, I photocopied each drawing so the students had multiple copies (copy a few extra in case a student doesn't like a result and wants to try again.)  They colored each picture in different colors.  Then, four pictures were mounted on to a piece of construction paper.

I really like the radiating yellow lines on this one.

Andy Warhol's Self Portrait

This student did an excellent job capturing all of the details in his self-portrait.

This boy spent a lot of time carefully coloring all these patterns!

And of course, I picked up a couple of the new Campbell's soup cans to show the students.

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Self Portraits--3rd grade

 How do artists see things differently?  What is craftsmanship?  How have artists in other cultures and times expressed themselves through self-portraits?

The 3rd graders read the book Luke's Way of Looking by Natalie Wheatley to discover how artists see things differently.

Next, the class read a book about self-portraits.  They painted squares of color on a background.  Through this painting, they mixed and applied tempera paints to create tints and shades.  Then, they added tissue paper squares in places for added color and depth.  

Then, I walked them through the steps to create their self portrait.  We chose skin color paper and they drew their head, neck and ears.  Each kid finished this step before we moved on to the next.  We rounded off the edges of a 9x12" piece of construction paper to make the shirt and shoulders.  These were decorated with gel markers and crayons.  After the head and shirt were glued to the background, I showed the kids how to cut out white eyes from construction paper.  The details were drawn in with black marker and crayons.  The nose and mouth were drawn on with black marker and crayon as well.  Then, I passed out more skin color paper and they traced and cut out their hands for added expression.  The last step was to rip or cut hair.  This lesson took at least 4 class periods, as I was careful to demonstrate each step and then allow the kids to only complete that step.  After these were glued together and complete, someone else suggested that we should place the hands in different places, such as near the face or mouth.  oh well!  next year!

Concepts taught will be background, parts and placement of facial features, proportion, identity and self-portrait.  They will see examples of self-portraits by Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Henri Rousseau and others. 

Self Portraits in the Style of Andy Warhol

Self Portraits

in the Style of Andy Warhol

2nd grade

            How are tools properly used in the art room?  What is a self-portrait?  What is Pop art?  These are the questions the 2nd graders explored in their first unit.  The students learned about proportion and drawing a human face.  They used mirrors to draw themselves and these were photocopied four times.  Pop art was discussed and they learned about Andy Warhol by reading a book and watching a video.  The kids used expressive color to color their faces in a Pop art style.

                  

3rd Grade Self Portraits

This was a lesson that I found in a magazine.. either School Arts or Arts and Activities.  This is a several step project.

Day one:  Paint squares of colors using watercolor paints on a piece of 12 x18 paper.  Finish during this period.

Day Two:  Cut out tissue paper squares and glue on top of your painted paper.

Day Three: Use construction paper and cut out a shirt shape.  Add patterns and designs with Crayola Gel FX markers.  Glue to bottom of page.

Day Four:  Cut out a head from skin color construction paper.  Cut out eyes from white paper.  Draw in the details of the face with a black Sharpie.  Colored pencil can also be used to color in details.  Glue all together.

Day Five:  Trace your hands on a skin color piece of paper and cut out.  Glue to shirt area.  Using hair colored paper, cut or tear hair and glue in place.  Glitter can be added to the background for sparkle. Ta da!!

Pop Art Portraits

These lovely Pop Art portraits were created by our 2nd graders this week.  We read a book about Andy Warhol and watched a video about Pop Art.  We looked at and discussed Andy's use of bright colors, repetition and popular subject matter.  The artwork we focused on was his self portrait.   To prepare, cut a 9x12" piece of paper into 4 pieces.  You will need one quarter piece for each child.  The kids looked in a mirror to draw themselves on this paper.  Draw with pencil, then outline with a thin black sharpie.  Urge the kids to finish in one class period.  At the end of this period, take the pictures and photocopy them so each child has 4 copies.  Cut these apart for the kids.  Then, they should color each photocopy with bright markers.  When they are finished coloring all of the copies, they should choose a 9x12" piece of colored construction paper to glue all of their pictures on.

Here is the book and video we discussed.