Lois Ehlert Inspired Bird Collages

My experiment made from leftover paper from my 

Abstract Art Fun class collage project

I was inspired by this Winter Bird Art Lesson from Deep Space Sparkle. My Children's Book Art group looked at the collage work of Lois Ehlert in her books, Snowballs, Pie in the Sky, and Top Cat. My students created a variety of patterned paper using watercolors and acrylics. A background in chalk pastels was created and next some birch trees (inspired by Ehlert's work in Snowballs) using cardboard and black acrylics. Birds were then created using templates and placed around their base to create an interesting composition. This is a great project to utilize any leftover patterned or textured paper.

In Monet's Garden

My Children's Book Art Class looked at Linnea in Monet's Garden by Christina Bjork and Lena Anderson. This is a gem of a book that introduces children to the life and work of Monet and the Impressionist Art movement in general. Of particular interest to my students was the fact that Monet painted the same scene of his garden and Japanese bridge in Giverny for years, even after almost blind from cataracts.

The children created a first layer of sky and pond using watercolors. Acrylics were added to give their pieces an Impressionist flair. They were encouraged to load their brush in multiple colors to create this effect. And of course adding their image to their piece is always a fun addition.  

Chameleons, Cats and Crocodiles

Watercolor explorations inspired by this lesson from

Deep Space Sparkle

Chalk pastel

                             

Watercolor and salt and splatters

My Children's Book Art Fun class has looked at the illustrations from  Chameleons Are Cool, Skippyjon Jones, and Solomon Crocodile. They created works of art inspired by these artists' styles, techniques, and media. Artwork by ages 6-10.

Jim Dine Valentines II

I did this project last February and decided to give it another go with my Mixed Media Drawing and Painting class. Children used fingers or sponges with acrylics to create a painterly background inspired by Jim Dine's heart series. Next styrofoam heart prints with carved designs were made using black acrylic. Children had the option of using oil pastels to add color on top of their prints.