Let's Draw School Supplies!

Hey, y'all! If you are looking for a fun back-to-school lesson that also introduces your artists to their art supplies then look no further! I've got it covered with this super fun school supply art lesson!

To jump directly to the lesson with process photos, visit my friends at Prang right here!

Full disclosure: I never used Prang's markers until working with them. They truly are the best markers! I used to use another popular brand (ahem) but always found them to be runnin' outta juice almost straight out of the box. Not only are the Prang markers much juicer and full of color but they are SO GOOD at this marker plus water hack! AND...all the marker tops are the same so that means no searching for that one missing marker top. If you know...you know.

Okay, now on to the lesson! 

In this video, I'll walk your artists thru the steps to draw each and every one of these cute little art supplies. I would recommend having students practice drawing on a dry erase board first or in their sketchbooks. Then they can dive in on their artwork. I would have students draw with pencil first...then trace with permanent marker. 

Now, I couldn't decide which was cuter: the supplies with the faces or the supplies without! So I created both versions in the video so you and your artists can decide. 

I also created free downloads! This way if your students need inspiration or even a coloring sheet, they are all set! 

Here's the link!

This is also a great lesson to keep on hand for a sub! I know the start of the school year can be...a lot so I hope this lesson helps!

Here's a version without the silly faces! And, of course, a download:

Here's that download!

Of course, if you are looking for books to read to your students, I got ya covered! Visit here to check out my books and my digital downloads.

Have a great week, friends!

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Why You NEED Modeling Clay in your Art Room!

When I first started teaching my art room had NOTHING in it but a bowling pin, a Leonardo da Vinci board game with the pieces missing, a coffee can of broken crayons and...a TON of modeling clay. I cast the clay aside not thinking I'd ever have use for it. But when my curriculum called for a "clay unit"...and I had no kiln and no budget, this stuff came in super handy. Turns out, my students and I loved it and used it to explore more than just sculpting. It became a vital tool for learning lines, shape, texture and more. Here's how:

I love using modeling clay for early finishers, lesson review, preview to sculpture and more! I created these clay sheets just for you! Please feel free to use them in your art room. 

Also, I know a lot of you need to turn in lesson plans. My friends at Prang created one for you! You can download it here!

To purchase your modeling clay, here's what I'm using. 

Here you go:

This is a great sheet to use to introduce clay to your students! You can find all of these downloads here. 

I use this sheet after introducing line or when I'm doing a line review with my students. Of course, I read my book Larry the Line and this follow-up activity ties in perfectly! You can find my book Larry the Line here. 

I'm closing in on nearly 200 five-star reviews of my book Larry the Line! I love to see Larry in your art rooms...thank you so much! Get yourself a copy here.

Once my students learn about lines, we move on to shape...so I created these sheets so students can see how to use lines to create shapes. These sheets can be found here!

Of course, my book Alfred the Ape Knows his Shapes is the perfect companion to these shape sheets.

You can pick up a copy of Alfred the Ape Knows his Shapes here!

Thanks, y'all! Enjoy!

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