Winter Landscapes

We are deep in cold here in Burlington, and a perfect time for second grade to explore how color and light effect a winter landscape. 

Artists began by considering the time of day and light source in their landscape. 

All students added a snowy or icy surface. 

Artists used white a a base color for the snow and ice, then added shades of grey, silver, blue, and purple to create shades. 

These dark spaces on the form and surfaces are always opposite the light sources.

Moon (with craters!) on left, darkness and shadows on the right on the snowman.

The medium is oil pastel, and it allowed students to do some pretty incredible blending.

Afterward, lots of additions were made to landscape, such as creatures and people, mountains and houses.

Moon glowing on an lake!

Wind and snowflakes swirling around

Students discussed gaze direction- how to make the subject clearly looking in a specific direction, which in turn guides the viewer's eye. Below, the snowman gazing at the moon encourages us to look at what the subject is seeing.

Gazing right at us, the viewer, and we look back.

Gazing downward.

Check out the tree's reflection on the icy pond!

Students used cut paper and fabric to add details to their picture, particularly on the snowmen.

Stunning Fifth Grade Paper Circuits!

Blink, blink!

Fifth grade students in Mr. Style's class are finishing up a project on paper circuits. 

These artists began by making a sculpture or painting on cardboard, keeping in mind the plan that one or two areas of the image would be illuminated.

Theme was wide open, although children love the seasons and many were wintery or tied to holiday-inspired.

This student selected RGB LEDs, which change color when they are on

The students used LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), copper tape, and a button cell battery to create parallel and simple circuits. Students learned to solder to make permanent connections between the components.

Students used cardboard and making tape to make pressure switches, so that they lights would be on when a cardboard button is pressed, and would turn off when the button is released. This is achieved because the pressure closes the circuit when a piece of copper tape makes contact with the battery. The button for the switch could be any part of the picture; below the lollipop is pressed to light up the gingerbread man's buttons.

These artworks will be on display at our February 15 Arts Night for grades 3-5. Don't miss it!

Papier-Mâché Birds

Third and fourth mixed-grade classrooms have just finished making sculptures of birds.

Students looked at examples of work and discussed how sculptors use a mix of visual and tactile textures with different media to create their finished work.

Using newsprint, wire, and masking tape, students created armatures.  Some students added beaks and wings with cardboard.

Students brainstormed bird species, and chose the type of bird that was of interest to them to sculpt.

Some students took a creative, imaginary direction (like the skier above), while others chose to reference source materials and Audobon paintings.

Artists chose to have their birds variously on pedestals, in nests, or hung from wire in flight.

Students who created pedestals used a drill to create holes in which the wire legs were installed.

Some students used the pedestals as a true setting for their birds, turning them into grassy fields, snow covered peaks, or sparkling icy glaciers.

Perhaps it's the time of year, but penguins were enormously popular!

These birds will be on display at EES at our upcoming February 15th Fine Arts Night! Don't miss it!