Line and Shape Paintings!

Y'all, I don't know if you have noticed but...I'm on a bit of a lesson-sharing roll lately and I hope you all are here for it! Because...I have much more to come. The best way to stay tuned is to check back here often, join my email list or subscribe to my YouTube channel. My lessons are always FREE and usually come with free downloads too. 

I'm so excited about this lesson!

This video lesson has THREE lessons in it...and you can decide what works best for you and your artists. Before we dive in, here are the supplies I used:

* Oil Pastels (I like neon ones, you can find them here)

* Square paper (I only use 80lbs paper)

* Ink-filled bingo daubers

* Watercolor Paint

This first portion of the lesson goes perfectly with my book Larry the Line...if you don't have it and would like to take a look, you can find it here. 

This video is broken down into three different lessons. It's perfect for a wide range of learners! Here's what I would recommend: K-6th Grade: Everyone can do the first portion of this lesson! It's a wonderful line introduction and review. Students will also learn how to use their watercolor paint to add color. 3rd-6th Grade: The second portion of this lesson is great for these learners as it will introduce them to geometric and organic shapes as well as positive and negative space. 4th - 6th Grade: The final portion is perfect for these learners but does require paint pens (I am using the POSCA brand) or metallic Sharpies. I know these supplies can be pricey so you may wish to limit this portion of the project based on the supplies you have available.

The second half of this lesson focuses on SHAPE. I dive into all things shape in my book Alfred the Ape Knows his Shapes!

I dive in deep in this book...I wrote it when I noticed that most books on shape just focus on learning the names of shapes and seem to cater to very young children. I used the second grade curriculum to guide me in writing this rhyming book and it covers ALL things shape!

For this final portion, students can use paint pens or metallic sharpies. Both can be pricey...which is why I recommend this for your older students who may take better care of supplies. 

Regardless of which portion of this lesson you use, I know you and your artists will love it! I especially know they will love the first portion of creating lines from sounds!

If you have not used ink-filled bingo daubers, I have lots of info about it here. It's one of my very favorite art supplies!

Thanks for letting me share, y'all! Have a great weekend!

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New Book Alert: My Art Teacherin' Coloring Book IS HERE!

NEW BOOK ALERT!

I'm SO excited to share my new book: The Art Teacherin' Coloring (And Activity!) Book! 

I never realized just how much I loved drawing and doodling until I wrote my book Art Teacherin' 101. That book is sprinkled with drawings that helped me share my ideas about teaching art with you in a way that felt natural to me. 

I have also created numerous doodle banners for my students to color and paint in and you can check them out here.

I even created doodle rolls for YOUR students to color and paint on and you can buy them here (they are a steal for four HUGE banners!).

So when someone suggested I create a coloring book for art teachers...I thought it was such a great idea!

I printed the book on 70 lbs paper which means you can use markers, color pencils, crayons...and I've even been using my watercolor pencils! 

Some of the pages can be used to color and hang in your art room as either decor or...not so gentle reminders that the art room is not a supply closet (ahem...see below!)...

While other pages are meant for you to jot down funny things the kids say, ways for you to reconnect with your creativity, gratitude doodles and even jotting down your favorite art teacherin' songs. 

I wanted this book to be like a warm hug from a fellow art teacherin' friend. I do hope you love it as much as I did creating it!

For the record, I do think you are much more than OKAY...but this is your reminder that okay is fine too! I know I struggled a lot with having the perfect art room or amazing lessons...it's fine to let that go. Your creativity and rest is just as important! So...it's okay to be okay!

Ahem...said reminder!

Thanks for letting me share, friends! Have a happy summer!

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Let's Create a Symmetrical Butterfly!

Hey, y'all!

Not sure how things are going in your art teacherin' world but here in middle Tennessee, many art teachers are on their last week of school. BUT this lesson here is for my teacher buddies who are going strong for another MONTH. I'm coming to you this week with a beautiful butterfly lesson...and some variations. So, got more art teacherin?! I got you!

Now, this is a TRIED AND TRUE lesson that I've done for many years with students of all ages. My favorite group to do this with is...kindergarten! They always rock this lesson! 

To finish the butterflies, we often used chalk in my art room...but today I thought I'd do a different spin and share this lesson with paint sticks. So here's a break down of the supplies used:

* 12" X 18" paper

* Black tempera paint (I'm using Prang's tempera)

* Paint sticks 

Short on time? Then you can do this on colorful construction paper! Stort on paper? Use a paper bag or a even a newspaper! I'm telling you, these look stunning any way you make them. Here's the video:

You could also do these on smaller paper, like 9" X 12" but I find it works better on larger paper, especially for younger students.

Now let's talk art supply alternatives. You could do this same method of warm and cool but with chalk! You can see how I did that in this second grade lesson here. 

We left the backgrounds blank on these...which I kinda loved because they reminded me of Andy Warhol.

I was doing a little on-my-blog searching and found a couple other butterfly projects...like this clay one!

This kindergarten clay project was always a hit...we did it many years in a row!

Speaking of kindergarten...

Look at these marvelous monarchs!

I love how they look even like this! Did I mention that this is KINDERGARTEN?!

By the way....last summer, my book Art Teacherin' 101 sold out! And it was the worst time for that to happen as it seems many folks buy it for summer reading/getting ready for the new school year. I'm happy to say that I now have plenty in stock (in boxes all over my house...yes, seriously) and I'm ready to send 'em your way! 

And let me throw this out there:

I can't tell you how many book clubs I've had the honor to join in on! If you do decide to form a book club and would like me to join y'all for one of your meetings, just let me know. We can make it happen. You can always reach out to me at cassieart75@gmail.com.

Okay, have a great week, friends!

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Let's Create a Ladybug Print and Collage!

Hey, friends! 

A couple of years ago, I shared a kindergarten lesson on creating symmetrical butterflies. It was always such a hit with the kids and each looked stunning! 

Right?! Did I mention this was kindergarten?! AND first grade, because sometimes, for my sanity, I do the same lesson with multiple grades. Here's the lesson video:

I decided to take the same process and create a couple of lessons with different bugs. Today, I'm sharing a ladybug collage print:

Now...recently I was attending the art teacherin' conference in Missouri and was chatting with some teachers. They were commiserating on just how hard it is to share with students how to use scissors and glue bottles properly. With that in mind, I decided to extend this lesson from just printing a ladybug but to also using our scissors and glue. AND...I included portions of my book in the video!

Everything that I wanted to teach children about using scissors and glue...IS IN THIS BOOK! Check out the book, take a look at the inside and even watch videos about using this book in your art room right here!

In the ladybug video, I read portions of the book, sharing these illustrations to better help young artists understand how to correctly use their scissors and...

Apply their glue! Kids really love this book because...it features Larry the Line and Alfred the Ape (who knows his shapes!).

There's also a line review included in the video...you may notice me using a spinner. You can find that spinner (one for each couple of students or maybe one-two per table works great) and my other fave supplies for this lesson here. 

OR...you could just keep it simple and do bug prints!

I keep thinking that a huge display of bug prints would be perfect for "We're Buggin' Out for Spring" or...state testing...or...the end of the school year?! Who knows! Regardless, I hope y'all have fun!

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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!

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