A Fun Fall Lesson with Inspiration from Romero Britto!

Hey, friends!

It's been a minute since I posted here...in fact, while I posted like crazy in July and August, I was absent all of September. Y'all kept me BUSY with orders of Larry the Line and the rest of the gang. I'm so glad you all are enjoying using my books in your art room. Nothing makes me happier! I love hearing from you all, whether it be via email or on socials. It's been so much fun creating books with themes that worked so well for me in my art room with you. So thank you!

That being said, I'm back at ya with a new art lesson that's totally versatile, meaning you can construct this lesson any way you like. Whether you do one of these draw-alongs, from pumpkin to leaf, hot chocolate to pumpkin pie OR have your artists draw all four, is totally up to you! This can be a quick lesson right before fall or Thanksgiving break OR a long format lesson. It's up to you! I did keep it simple with low-mess supplies. Here's what I used:

* Prang's UCreate Mixed Media Paper, cut into a 12" square

* Prang's color pencils

* Prang's washable markers

* Paintbrush and a cup of water 

(Full disclosure: I often partner with Prang and while I do love their supplies, that is also why I use them almost exclusively).

I decided to go with Britto as our artist inspiration because his work is a great follow up to the beginning of the year focus on lines and shapes. This lesson also talks about color as we are focusing on using the cool colors in the background and using warm colors (with the addition of green). Here's the complete video lesson:

Have fun!

Now that fall is here and it's time for all the cozy and slightly spooky vibes...it may be the perfect time to read Find Your Way to your students. It's a decide-your-direction tale of discovering who you are as an artist and an independent thinker while going on adventures with 7 of the world's most famous artists. I wrote this book to read to my students as they work...and you can hear a pin drop, I swear! 

For more details on how reading to your students as they work can have a calm and focused effect for a productive art class, check out this blog post here!

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Let's Draw Sunflowers (and 3 Bonus Sunflower Projects!)

Hey, friends! I'm coming to you with my second sunflower themed lesson because, well, they are just so perfect for this time of year!

Recently, I shared a sunflower printing collage project here that I know you'll love:

This lesson is also perfect for a line and shape review as well as an introduction to collage!

Making your own sunflowers is also super fun! I have done projects like this with my students with kiln fired clay...but this one was done with salt dough clay. Recipe and details here!

If you are looking for a fun printing sunflower lesson with a nod to Warhol, you may want to check this lesson out! 

Speaking of artist inspiration, this one was clearly inspired by Vincent van Gogh! To watch the full drawing video, just go here:

Now, more on Payons and how I use them in a moment! I have lots to say about this art supply from Prang. But first...

Did you know that Vincent is one of the seven artists featured in my decide-your-direction art adventure titled Find Your Way? There are seven world famous artists for you to go on adventures with!

I wrote this book for my students...as they worked, they loved to be read to. But I always struggled to find the perfect art history book for them. So...I wrote one! My book also includes art activities and biographies of the seven artists featured. To read snippets, find out more and get a copy, visit here. 

Oh! Did I mention that I created over 80 illustrations to bring the book to life?! Yeah...this was a huge project and one that I know you and your artists will love. To learn more about how I read chapter books in my art room, visit here!

I also included actual quotes from the artists...that's what you see here in bold print. The other artists featured are: Hokusai, Frida Kahlo, Claude Monet, Augusta Savage, Leonardo da Vinci and Salvador Dali!

What better way to create artwork inspired by Vincent van Gogh than while hearing all about him in art class!?

Okay, now let's talk art supplies...

For this lesson, I am using Prang's Payons which are water soluable or watercolor CRAYONS! I had never played with them much before until the last couple years and I love them! They go on just like a crayon BUT...with the addition of water, the colors transform into watercolor. The colors are super vibrant and fun. 

However...if you don't have those on hand or they are not in your budget, you can do THE SAME THING with Prang's markers! I used ton only buy a certain brand of markers (ahem, I think you know the ones I mean) until I discovered that they seemed to dry out quickly and just seemed like they didn't last as long. When I got my hands on Prang's markers, I was suprised: they are juicy and bright...AND work perfect for a project like this where you just add water! If you aren't familiar with this method, you can see it in action in this lesson of mine here. 

Anyway, have fun friends! I hope there's a sunflowery lesson here that you and your artists enjoy!

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