Colorful Snakes and Koi Fish

I revisited a couple favorite lessons over the summer. The original post for these wrap around snakes can be found here. The children could choose from oil pastels, chalk pastels, acrylics and watercolors to add color to their compositions. Most opted for liquid watercolors. They do pack a colorful punch. The finishing touch of charcoal shadows really provides a 3D look to their twisted snakes. Artwork by K-4th graders.

This lesson was inspired by a great koi fish tutorial over at smART class. I tried it in the spring and decided to give it another go with a summer class. This is a favorite of the children as they feel so advanced after they've completed their drawings. Once again, liquid watercolors give their paintings their vibrant colors. Artwork by K-3rd graders.

Wrap Around Snakes

If you're not a fan of step-by-step art lessons, quick look away...avert your eyes! ha :) I have just 4-5 weeks with each of my after school art classes. In that time I try to do a variety of projects: basic art elements, artist or art movement based, technique, ect.. Like many of you I have noticed the kids are a little antsy at this point in the school year. I thought this project would be a fun, attention grabber for my K-4th group. And of course, they would be exploring media, line and shadow in the process.

They followed a step by step drawing lesson(courtesy of "Draw Really Cool Stuff" - judging by the current price, it must be out of print) to create their wrap around snakes. From there they created snake patterns and a tropical habitat for their boa inspired creatures. They could choose watercolors and/or oil pastels to add color. Last, I demonstrated how to trace their lines with charcoal and smudge them to add shadow to their snake and tree to create depth.