A glimpse into one beautiful project at Studio Arts

When we ‘do a project’, we plan some of it (like materials we’ll use and techniques we’ll impart) and let the kids breathe life into the details. This project was designed with introducing the studio and how to use many of our standard mediums in mind. We think the kids will feel confident (like the studio is really theirs) if they know where things are and help themselves with such things as glue/paint/cleaning brushes, etc. We just sent home these stunning birdies. Please enjoy this glimpse into the magic that unfolds.

The first days we presented images of many birds and taught basic drawing skills - how to see shapes and look for the connections between those shapes.  We asked our students to consider which birds would like to live in which kind of tree before they began. We offered them the freedom of combining penguins with peacocks. Kids like that.

The next class we ‘field tripped’ into our parking lot to discover that it isn’t just made of cement, but enjoys a few small specimens of native trees such as mesquite, hackberry, and elm. We drew from looking as we chose a tree and discovered how the various lights and darks made it turn in space. We also did rubbings from various findings. It was a great way to enjoy the weather and scamper about while learning.

Once inside, we drew our trees on pretty brown paper from our sketches.  We used textured wood to remember our rubbing technique but added brighter colors, the ones that sometimes hide in nature until an artist helps reveal them.

The backgrounds were a blast. Acrylic paint of several tones all messed up with combs and toothbrushes and active painting.

But what of our birds? They were completed with India ink and a paintbrush - some more delicate aspects penned-in with black sharpies, then enlivened with liquid dye watercolors (easter egg style).

All of these elements combined with much cutting and pasting and our signature 2D/3D elevating of the birds with bits of foam core to make pretty birds fly in a fantasy sky and perch on a well-thought-of tree. Adding bits of Asian paper collage elements brought it home.

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