The Drawing and Painting Studios are Open!

This week the painting studio opened, and although it was a big hit, I still had students at the drawing studio table, too. We have covered three elements of art so far this year - line, value and shape, and have also touched on color. It's exciting to see the students recognize these elements in their own pieces.

When we get back from break the students will be introduced to their project tracking sheets and some artistic challenges to incorporate into their work. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Art Journal Challenge #5

Today's challenge involves paint, which is always fun! I used watercolors, but tempera, acrylic, or even liquid inks will work. You can make your own watercolors from water and a few drops of food coloring, or try your hand at making natural paints like these.

Okay, let's get started! First, drop a few colors of paint onto a page in your sketchbook or on a piece of paper. Close your sketchbook or fold the paper.

I added a few more drops of paint on top to fill in some blank areas.

Now take a look at your blotches. What do they remind you of? Can you see people or animals? What about trees or flowers? Fill in what you see by drawing in details with a pen or colored pencils.

The blotches reminded me of birds, so I used a combination of both ink and colored pencils to bring them to life. You can add a favorite quote or your feelings about what you saw in the paint spots to your page.

Here are a few quotes for inspiration:

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

Scott Adams

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.

Pablo Picasso

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

Vincent Van Gogh