Third through Fifth: My Neighbor Totoro

I used this movie poster for a lesson on tinting and shading to create atmospheric perspective. It doesn't hurt that it's adorable and fantastical so the students connected right away. They chose their own colors and practiced by making a value chart first before they painted on their final. They look a little scary, but I love how they turned out.

First Grade: Tinted Ice Cream

It's not summer anymore, but it's never too cold for ice cream! First graders learned about tints in the form of ice cream scoops. They folded their papers and in each space painted the color, or "flavor", of their choice in different tints. They also painted a color chart that I cut out and combined into one big chart that I'll use for future lessons. 

First grade: Rembrandt Portraits

                                                         Self-Portrait in Fur Hat, 1631

First graders learned how to use lines to draw value. This was a rigorous lesson as they had to practice drawing multiple value charts using different types of lines (cross hatch, stipple, etc). Once they achieved fluidity with their marks, they sketched Rembrandt's portrait in pencil and used various kinds of marks to achieve the shaded and lit areas of his face. I think they came out beautifully. 

Third and Fourth Grade: Trees in Tints and Shades

Acrylic on paper

Third and Fourth Grade: Drapery

Graphite on charcoal paper