Desserts in Oil Pastel

Elementary students were learning how to draw ellipses, the proper perspective of circles, and what better subject matter than desserts.  Students worked on drawing their ellipses and making sure the four quarters were matching to the best of their ability before drawing the rest of their dessert.  They were working from photographs and used pencil on black paper.

I wanted to use this as a lesson on how to mix oil pastels like paint and how to layer them to make them darker using complementary colors.  I have to admit, this lesson really makes me hungry...YUM!  

Soda Cans Completed

Students completed their soda can project learning about ellipses this week.  This class consists of homeschool students ranging from 5th thru 12th grade, and I have a wide variety of skill and ability in the group.  I try to develop projects so that all levels can learn new concepts and build on concepts they may already know. Every student grows at their own level, and it is a beautiful thing to watch them progress and incorporate what they are learning into their work. This project was an excellent example of this.

Students learned about the proper perspective of circles, ellipses, and drew a soda can from life.  They also were learning about line quality, using thick and thin lines in drawing to make it more interesting and when/ where to add these.  I also wanted to use this lesson to teach layered colored pencil with complementary colors using a professional quality pencil, Prismacolor.  I love the framing done in recycled soda boxes. A big thank you to the parents who saved these for me for months in order to donate to the art room! Great work done by all students!

Soda Can Ellipses

Older students grade 5-12 have been learning how to draw circles in proper perspective, ellipses.  They learned how to draw an axis to begin and make all parts on the top of the can even before completing the entire shape (look closely and you might see the erased guideline).  They are really working hard on these as this is not an easy project and required precision.  They will finish next week with colored pencil layering and burnishing techniques and will post the final results next week. I love the recycled boxed for the frame on these as well. This project takes 3- 1 hour sessions to complete.