An Unconventional Focus on Art!

So I have a new gig this year, I am the Focus  Art teacher for my county. I go to all 8 of our middle schools, to work with students who are identified as gifted in the visual arts. I see each group of students approximately twice a month and meet with them on consecutive days. So far, its been AWESOME!

I have a theme this year for my instruction, and it is "Unconventional." These gifted students are used to drawing with pencil on paper, and painting with acrylic on canvas so I want them to experience new ways to make art!

Our first mini project was for students to create a work of art on a notecard. The size was where the idea of unconventional art came in- I gave them free choice of their subject and materials.

After an unconventional sized work of art, we began talking about the kinetic performance artist Heather Hansen.
Students viewed this video and learned about her art style.

Not one of my students had ever tried drawing with both hands at the same time so it was an interesting project approach for them. They had to begin by using both hands at the same time, their subject could be realistic or abstract.

These works of art are on a piece of 18x24 drawing paper. Students enjoyed working on a larger piece of paper which I taped to the table so that it wouldn't move as they were drawing with both hands. 

It was a great experimental project! 

The Eye of the Dragon

The Eye of the Dragon

I began planning this lesson after seeing a similar post on Pinterest. 

Students began by viewing a google slide to review information about texture, and to learn different oil pastel techniques.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1btUPk4BNJphZ0WGopQ8h1gHMm6CDQOjH5OUysypQCEg/edit?usp=sharing

I have 6 tables in my classroom, so I made 6 boxes with oil pastel supplies:

Oil pastels

Qtips

Paperclips (for sgraffito) 

Students began by practicing using oil pastels on the technique sheet I made.

After they completed the technique sheet, they began to plan out their dragon eye in their notebooks. I created this handout for them to use as inspiration for their eyes. 

Once they showed me a completed sketch, they were able to begin on the project paper. We used 12x12" drawing paper. 

They drew with pencil first, traced pencil lines with sharpie and then used the oil pastels to add color. 

They were required to color each scale individually, I reminded them that they were not to color over top of the black lines. My students will rush through everything I give them so I told them they needed to slow down and color the scales one at a time.

 I am more than impressed with their work and this is definitely a project that I will do again!