Let's Learn Shapes: Organic Shape Exploration

Hey, y'all! I'm coming to you this week with two new fun lessons with a focus on SHAPE! I'm super stoked about these and how they tie in with my book Alfred the Ape Knows His Shapes. Now, you don't need my book for the lesson as I share some images from the book in the video but...it would really suppliment the lesson for sure! 

For this project, you'll need the following supplies:

* Paper cut to 8.5" X 11"; I like to use 80 lbs mixed media paper

* Watercolor paint; I'm using Prang's new Color Wheel Palette!

* Cup of water (I love these no-spill cups!) 

* Paintbrushes

* Transparency Film (not necessary but fun to draw on!)

* Permanent markers

The focus of this lesson (and the one I'll be sharing in the next couple of days) is SHAPE. In particular, the difference between ORGANIC and GEOMETRIC shapes. In this lesson, the artists will be creating an organic shape painting while learning a fun watercolor technique called Wet-On-Wet. 

By the way, my book explores ALL things shape! I wrote it because...while there are a lot of books on shapes they seem to focus namely on teaching the names of shapes. Often, they seem geared to ward a very young audience. I wrote this book with the second grade curriculum in mind and all of the knowlege that children that age should know. To take a look inside my book, watch the video or...visit here!

I was recently sharing with some art teachers during a virtual PD (did you know that I host those? Yep! You can always contact me at cassieart75@gmail.com to learn more!) and we were talking about 'early finishers'. For this lesson, students who finish painting early can always...create another painting! I like to offer smaller papers for my early finishers. This saves paper and, if students are given a smaller brush, they are also forced to WORK smaller! 

Often, I'll ask my early finishers to be 'art helpers' and ask their friends "do you want some help?" before assisting them on their work. Some students love the help of their friends while others prefer to work independently. It's important that students have that choice. 

Just a couple of thoughts on those early finisher friends!

Going on a SHAPE walk, especially outside, can be fun when introducing organic and geometric shapes. Or! Just press pause on my video and let the students see if they can identify the difference between the two. 

Personally, I think the paintings without the lines are a lot of fun! My students LOVE the wet on wet watercolor technique. It's also great for teaching paintbrush control. 

Of course, a great book for that would be....The Paintbrush Ballerina!

Don't forget I have a TON of free downloads that go perfectly with this book!

Not sure about using watercolor paint with your students or looking for some tips on how to improve your watercolor game? Then...check out this blog post! I cover it ALL!

Now no matter what the thickness of paper, unless you are using watercolor paper (and who has the budget for that?!), it's gonna wrinkle. This is why I keep a thrift store iron in my art room to stack and flatten the artwork. Just a hot tip of ya, in case you too are a little wrinkly (I blame the children for each of my wrinkles).

Now, once the paintings are complete and dry, the kids could draw directly on their artwork OR...they could use transparency film.

I like the transparency film because the slick surface is super fun to draw on AND....if the kids draw something they don't like, you can 'erase' the lines with a dry erase marker! Just trace over the lines with the dry erase and wipe off with a tissue. Boom! It's gone!

WARNING! I made the error of not making my paper the same size as the transparency film...so don't make that mistake! Be sure and cut the paper to a 8.5" X 11" before letting the kids paint. Trust me! It will make things a whole lot easier.

Have fun and stay tuned for the GEOMETRIC shape lesson. 

Oh! And!

Just a reminder that I'll be at NAEA next month, signing and selling my books. Hope to see you there!