Complementary Haring

First Grade
3 Class Periods

Complementary Haring, First Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
Prior to this lesson, students had a unit learning about the human form.  Students learned basic body proportions and basic anatomy.

We kicked off this project by learning about artist Keith Haring.  I have done a project with my first grade students on Keith Haring in previous years, but this is just a new idea for teaching the concepts of the lesson.  To view my previous lesson or to learn more about artist Keith Haring check out my link to my blog: Moving With Haring.

After learning about the artist, student took a piece of 12 x 18 inch paper and folded it in half and then in half again to form 4 rectangles.

In each rectangle, students traced a Keith Haring figure stencil.  (I made numerous stencils based off of Haring's work.  Students choice the stencils they liked best.)  I limited their designs to one or two stencils.

Day 2:
On the second day of art, I shared with students a youtube clip that I discovered on artist Keith Haring.  Keith Haring Was Here After the video we have a great discussion about Graffiti art.  We also discuss how fast Keith could paint. Students loved this youtube clip.  I think it is wonderful when they can actually hear the artist speak about their work and see them working on their art.

As a class we have discussed complementary color schemes in earlier lessons.  So today we reviewed what we remembered about complementary colors (yellow-violet, blue-orange, and red-green).  Students were instructed that they could only pick one complementary color scheme to paint their compositions.  Students were given a demonstration on how to paint each box as an opposite of the box next to it.  We also discussed, allowing paint to dry in areas before painting next to it to avoid our colors blending.

Painting complementary colors.

Day 3:
On this day, students finished up painting their compositions with the tempera cakes using their complementary color scheme.

As our finishing touch, I had students use a tiny brush and liquid black tempera to outline their pieces.  We discussed adding the motion lines, that Keith is so famous for in his artwork.  Students were given tips on how to hold their brush for better control.

Outlining composition.

Student Examples:

Happy Youth Art Month 2018

We had another great show this year!  This is my ninth year putting together this show.  I am already looking forward to making year 10 the best exhibit we have had so far.

Setting up the show.

The following photos are from our opening reception.  We had eight school districts participate this year, 18 teachers who participated and over 500 pieces of art!

Concentric Circle Flower Bouquets

Third Grade Art Lesson
3 Class Periods

Concentric Circle Flower Bouquets, Third Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
On day one of this lesson students drew a vase on a piece of 12 x 18 inch paper.  To make this part a bit easier for my third graders I gave them a stencil I had already designed to trace.

After it was traced we painted the background of the composition.  I had each class use a different color.  The colors I used were blue, green, yellow, pink, and orange.  We added white to this color to create a tint.  Students were asked to paint carefully around the vase.

Next we painted the vase brown.   Student were shown on to create a highlight and a shadow on the vase to help the vase look three-dimensional.

After painting our vase, I had students take a paper towel and dry their brush the best they could...no water...using the dry brush, still filled with a bit of brown paint we dry brushed a shadow under the vase to create the table shadow.

Projects were placed on the drying rack to dry.

Day 2:
We began class with a demonstration on how to create leaves and vines for their bouquets.  I asked students to create 5 to 7 vines and then showed them out to push and fan out their brush on the paper to create leaves on the vine.

Vines and leaves added to the vase.

Once the leaves were in place, we discussed the concept of concentric circles.  Students were shown how to create dots on their paper with paint and then how to paint circles around the dots.  Students were allowed to choose their own palette for their flowers.

Creating concentric circle flowers.

Once the bouquet was filled with flowers, students placed their work on the drying rack to dry.

Day 3:
We used this class period to create another layer of concentric flowers.  I encourage students to make as many as they could so we would have full bouquets.  Overlapping and range of sizes of circles were encouraged.

Student Examples: