Sometimes inspiration comes in many forms. I was perusing one of the many art supplies catalogs that happen upon my desk and I saw metallic paint for sale. Gold, bronze, copper, silver…rich, showy colors. I immediately thought of Gustav Klimt. I picked up a copy of Klimt and His Cat
by Berenice Capatti. The story was great but it was the illustrations by Octavia Monaco that drew me in and had me devising an art lesson for my sixth graders.
by Berenice Capatti. The story was great but it was the illustrations by Octavia Monaco that drew me in and had me devising an art lesson for my sixth graders.
I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to incorporate my old profession as a fashion designer, into my new one, an art teacher! I had a variety of collage type materials on hand…sequins, buttons, fabric scraps, and now metallic paint.
I photocopied some of the illustrations from the book to serve as inspiration, but challenged the kids to come up with their own Klimt woman. We talked about how Klimt drew stylistically; small heads atop long, graceful (and often distorted) necks. I was in heaven. It was fun watching the children draw in such proportions; small heads with large bodies, but they did it.
After our first session, most of the children were able to draw figure with pencil (small head, dress flowing off the page, hair sweeping off to the side) color deeply with oil pastels and decorate with collage materials (buttons, fabrics, etc.)
For the second session, we continued to decorate the dress with geometric designs, focusing on layering our patterns. We added faces with colored pencils, although some children left their faces blank. Hmmm.
Background
Using watercolor paper, we smeared two chalk pastels (use rich, earth tone colors) over the entire surface. The children were careful not to chose colors opposite of the color wheel less they get “mud”. Then, using glue bottles mixed with white glue and metallic paint, we created designs in swirly curlicues, geometric patterns, etc. After the paint dried and set slightly, the students cut out their “women” and glued it onto the watercolor paper. Many students didn’t finish their faces but we all were happy with the results and the process.
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All the projects you are doing are fantastic. They all look like so much fun!!!! My class loves art!!!
Thanks guys! I love having you in my class.
Isn’t Ms. Sharfeld so talented!
Mrs. P
I love your site. I teach middle school 6,7,8 and I see a lot here that could translate to many levels easily. I'm inspired to create more now! Your site has a good energy…just as an art class should!
thank you for your wonderful site and for being so generous with your ideas. I have been teaching art for 24 years to middle school students.I have stayed clear of projecty type lessons until seeing your site. Your lessons are fun and have a back door approach to teaching the art elements and princeples of design that I have been teaching through the basics of drawing, painting printmakeing and clay. I was getting a bit burned out. Thank you for helping me deep things fresh and fun!!!
Thanks Lynda! Your wonderful comments are very well timed! It made my day.
I love your site. I have purchased and used many of your ideas. I am even wanting to start using your Literature and Art lessons in an “Afters” program I work in. I just missed your June E-Class registration and am devastated. I am hoping to be able to be in your October class… I am not an art teacher, and I do not have any experience with teaching art , I just have the desire to share fun and exciting art projects with kids. I have been lucky so far that my daughters teachers have let me share this excitement of art in his or her classrooms. My daughter has had some wonderful (and truly patient) teachers! Thanks so much for the inspiration and knowledge you instill in those of us who do not have art education background so that we feel empowered to have the kids create and own a truly wonder art experience!! Thanks…
Thank you so much for making so many of your lessons accessible to all us art instructors!
I am teaching Klimt this year and I am going to try this lesson with 5th graders. Any suggestions, glitches I should keep an eye on? Also, I am wondering how big these are? You don’t mention paper size and I am curious how large they are.
Thanks
I think the paper was 12″ x 18″ watercolor.