5th Grade: Figure Drawing–Structure

 

In class today I decided to prepare 5th grade for a painting project that will focus on having figures in their picture. The website below was a great way to show them visually the basic shapes of a skeleton and how to draw the basic structure of the body.

http://www.elfwood.com/farp/figure/williamlibodyconstruction.html

I had wood figures on each table. Students were to draw the three main body masses first (head, chest, and torso), then joints, arms and legs. This was to be drawn quickly and very lightly. After a couple of minutes students were to rotate to the next table and sketch a new pose. Everyone was very reluctant when I set such a short amount of time to sketch but after the second drawing they were gaining confidence and getting excited about beating the clock.

After they sketched three different poses, they were to draw around their original structure and create thicker arms and legs.

Next week I will have students drawing each other using the same structure they used to draw their figures. Stay tuned for an update.

5th Grade: Ceramic Plaque Relief

Every year I have the 5th grader create ceramic plaque relief. I give the students two classes to draw their design on a square piece of paper that is the same size as their clay. I give them options to choose from for their design such as an animal, landscape, space scene, architecture, etc. They can draw their design from their imagination or use an image to help them.

The class before we start working with clay, I will give a demonstration on the steps to creating their design on the clay slab. They are to use a square template to cut the shape out.

Next, they lay their square drawing on top of the clay and trace.

Then, they take pieces of clay and start attaching the pieces to areas of the design they want to raise off the flat surface. One thing I suggest to the kids is to raise the areas that are closes to the viewer. Meaning if there is a tree in back and a tree in front, raise the tree in front more than the tree in back.

After I fire all the clay, I spray paint the ceramic with flat black so that when the kids paint over it with acrylic they will end up with black lines and bold color.

One thing I have trouble with is keeping the plaques from curling while they dry. I am trying to figure out a solution and will post what I come up with.

Here are some of the final results. You can spray paint a clear gloss coat to help the art work look shiny and finished looking.

5th Grade Metal Repousse's

Though my class is way past this project I wanted to showcase some of the Repouse's. 5th grade projects always take a lot of time, especially this project. The great thing about the Metal Repousse's are that we get two projects out of one. Student start with a pencil drawing and trace over the pencil with black pen which creates an imprint on the sheet of metal. I know there several teacher's who attempt this project and the key is to use a thicker gauge of sheet aluminum. After tracing their drawings, students lift the paper and use a clay tool to press the lines deeper into the metal. Student will flip the metal piece over to the back and press inside the lines so that shapes will pop out, creating more of a relief effect. At times students will need to flip back to the front and and repress the lines. The last step is to cover the entire front with indian ink, let it dry in the sun for a few minutes and then rub off high areas of the metal with a piece of steel wool.

I will be posting some images showing the process soon. While you are waiting, please enjoy a short video showcasing the projects.

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