Sunday, October 22, 2017

In the Art Room: Charley Harper-Inspired Fawn Collage

If you follow me on Instagram, then you've seen me share my teacher sample of this Charley Harper-inspired lesson. I filmed the demo a week or more ago...and finally got around to editing it and posting it to my YouTube channel. My plan is to do a series of woodland animal videos inspired by Harper...we'll see how many I manage to complete. I have a tendency to be a pokey lil puppy. 

But enough about that, let's get to the lesson video:
Now, like I said, this is the second in a series of Harper-inspired lessons. In case you missed it, the other lesson is a mash-up of van Gogh's Starry Night and Harper. You can find it here. In this lesson, I'm using the same supplies as I did in the raccoon project. Here's the list:

Faber-Castell Oil Pastels Full disclosure: I work with Faber-Castell frequently and create lessons for them using their supplies. That being said, I do enjoy their oil pastels for a couple of big reasons: they are sturdy. Unlike many other oil pastels I use, they don't break as often. They don't roll! I love that we aren't constantly chasing after them rolling off the tables. AND they are big...some oil pastels are very small and hard to hold for my students. Not to mention, they wear through them quickly. For all those reasons...and the fact that the colors are fabulous...I would definitely recommend these oil pastels.

Brown Watercolor Paint This is for the light wash used on the raccoon.

Texture Rubbing Plates or Burlap Don't have texture plates? Burlap makes for a great rubbing surface!

Construction Paper I love Tru-Ray because the paper doesn't fade and seems stronger than most.

Tempera Paint 

* Tempera Cakes My new favorite discovery: painting with tempera cakes on construction paper. Like, whut?! The colors stay true and I just love it! 

 I just had a GREAT couple of questions thrown my way after sharing this lesson on YouTube:
Fabulous questions, don't you think? Here's my response...
May I have a soapbox moment? I'm aware that there are art teachers who do not like guided drawing instruction. I've grown tired of folks speaking of the right and wrong ways to teach art. I'm also super leery of those who speak as though they have all the art teacherin' answers. Here's a secret: they don't. NONE OF US DO. We're all working with our students everyday, listening to them and trying to figure out how to best teach this amazing creative process to them. There are many different ways to teach art...and it's good to dabble in them all. But it's no good to put the methods of other art teachers down. Okay, soapbox moment over and out.
I will keep you posted on how these Harper-inspired projects progress! Until then...
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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous10/22/2017

    Your lessons are awesome as always Cassie! Appreciated!!

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  2. I loved your soapbox moment. So true and important to put out there to remind all of us. :)

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  3. Cassie, Ive been listening to your podcasts and following your blog, finding you as my favorite mentor as I take on the role of professional art teacher (transitioning from classroom docent and private art teacher). But my heart skipped a beat when I saw your Charlie Harper lesson. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent and enthusiasm for teaching art!

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  4. These are so stinkin' cute!!! I'm gonna try this and the racoon lesson with my second graders. I'm sure they'll love them as much as I do! Thank you for all your art lessons and ideas. You are an inspiration and an amazing art teacher!

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  5. Anonymous10/23/2017

    You are awesome! Loved your soapbox moment. We are all plugging along trying to do the best we can. I am in awe of you. You are like a celebrity to me! You are a master teacher! From finnandelsasmom (insta). I'm the one who sent you that faces fabric as a thank you for sharing. You are so generous! --Sharon Johannesen in Maryland

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  6. Keep on doing what you're doing! Cute deer. I like how you did the texture rubbings in the background. I've been using texture plates more this year, they are so fun!

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  7. Love love love!!! I’ll be doing this lesson soon with my students! They are so excited. Thank you for sharing all of your inspiring art lessons!

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  8. Anonymous12/21/2017

    put your soap box on the highest platform you can find! preach on!
    sarah in waco, tx

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  9. Hi, I thought I would try this with my kinders. We went outside and used the rough cement walks at the school. All good. I used 9x12 for the fawn drawing and 12x18 for the background. Most of the drawings did not turn out so well, so I am going to give them the option of using that one for their "practice" piece. Also I am going to offer a softer look to the eyes...they are not lookin' good. The kids said the fawn looks angry. But, I think it is a great project. I told the kids it would a challenge and it is good to challenge ourselves. Thank you for all you do!

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  10. Hey did you know Crate kids makes Charlie Harper rugs!!!! https://www.crateandbarrel.com/charley-harper-round-nature-5-rug/s519253

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Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate each and every one :)

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