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| Recording a class discussion about where artists get their ideas. |
3rd grade artists are exploring where artists find inspiration for their artworks. The picture above is the result of just ONE class brainstorming ideas and the other classes were equally thoughtful. This discussion leads us into our unit called Observation and Imagination. Last year, students only worked on developing ideas from their imagination but I thought some of the more linear thinkers got lost so now we have observation as a starting point.
To get started, I ask students if they know what the words observation and imagination mean. I try to connect "observation" to careful looking and "imagination" to being creative. You can also ask students to think about other professions that require observation (scientist, detective) and imagination (author, inventor). Then we look at artists who used observation to inspire their artworks. We focus on examples of Realism (Millets The Gleaners, Ruysch's still lifes) and hyper-realism (Chuck Close portraits) so that students easily see how artists can be inspired by even the most everyday details of everyday life. Artist Danny Gregory came to visit my school last year and his work and philosophy is about celebrating the artistic quality of daily life and the world around us. Check out his work here and see if he can come to your school! His style is very accessible for students to encourage observation and drawing skills.
To get started, I ask students if they know what the words observation and imagination mean. I try to connect "observation" to careful looking and "imagination" to being creative. You can also ask students to think about other professions that require observation (scientist, detective) and imagination (author, inventor). Then we look at artists who used observation to inspire their artworks. We focus on examples of Realism (Millets The Gleaners, Ruysch's still lifes) and hyper-realism (Chuck Close portraits) so that students easily see how artists can be inspired by even the most everyday details of everyday life. Artist Danny Gregory came to visit my school last year and his work and philosophy is about celebrating the artistic quality of daily life and the world around us. Check out his work here and see if he can come to your school! His style is very accessible for students to encourage observation and drawing skills.
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| Artist Danny Gregory visiting our school! |
We wrapped up our first lesson by heading outdoors with our sketchbooks to draw in the garden next to our classroom. Last year before Danny Gregory's visit, the 4th graders produced beautiful architectural drawings of our school and some of them were selected to hang in the administration offices. So don't shy away from the outdoors even if it's not bursting with nature - your principal will thank you for it!
How do you bring life to observational drawing? How do you jumpstart creativity?
Artfully,
Catherine
How do you bring life to observational drawing? How do you jumpstart creativity?
Artfully,
Catherine
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