January - March 2020
During January, February and March, Kindergarteners made prints using foam paper, rollers (brayers) and colored inks. These will be saved and handed back in the Fall (many are still on the cork boards in the hallways in school). We also made clay sculptures thinking about texture as a main element. To make these we used earthenware clay and clay tools. These were fired in our kiln, but because of schools closing, we didn't have a chance to glaze them. In the Fall, we will pick up where we left off and finish glazing (adding color) to these sculptures.
****If you know you will not be at PS 59 in the fall, please make arrangements to pick up your child's art! I will also save their sketchbook to hand back as well. Contact me at [email protected] Thank you! Ms. Judy
ps. All learning from March-June was done remotely on my Google Classroom site. Email contact for this is: [email protected]. You need a class code to join. Let me know if you have any questions or comments please. Miss you!! xo Ms. Judy
****If you know you will not be at PS 59 in the fall, please make arrangements to pick up your child's art! I will also save their sketchbook to hand back as well. Contact me at [email protected] Thank you! Ms. Judy
ps. All learning from March-June was done remotely on my Google Classroom site. Email contact for this is: [email protected]. You need a class code to join. Let me know if you have any questions or comments please. Miss you!! xo Ms. Judy
September-December 2019
This fall, Kindergarteners will be exploring many new techniques and materials. Students will learn about texture through the technique of rubbings, starting with patterned rubbing plates which show texture when used with oil pastels and other drawing materials. Students will also learn about the technique of 'resist' when watercolor is applied on top of oil pastel and crayons. During the fall, students will also embark on a collage making unit, where they will learn all about ripping, cutting, gluing, overlapping and composition. We will discuss the difference between 2 and 3 dimensions and learn how to make paper pop-up! Color-mixing and self-portraiture are other themes that will be woven through the first few months of art classes.
Stay tuned for Printmaking in January!
Stay tuned for Printmaking in January!
Above: Eric Carle inspired animal collages! Bottom right image: Eric Carle's "Brown Bear" and "The Grouchy Ladybug" provided inspiration.
JUne
Found-Object Sculptures - turning everyday objects into art!
march/april/may
CLAY!!
Kindergarteners discovered all about clay: where it comes from, how it feels, what temperature it is when you touch it, etc. Building on the theme of texture, we thought about how to make texture in the clay using various materials including pencils, sticks, rubber texture plates and other tools. Kindergarteners made their own clay sculptures, which have been 'fired' or baked, in the 'kiln' or oven. Soon students wil paint, their sculptures with special glazes. The resulting special sculptures will be food, microwave and oven safe!
Kindergarteners discovered all about clay: where it comes from, how it feels, what temperature it is when you touch it, etc. Building on the theme of texture, we thought about how to make texture in the clay using various materials including pencils, sticks, rubber texture plates and other tools. Kindergarteners made their own clay sculptures, which have been 'fired' or baked, in the 'kiln' or oven. Soon students wil paint, their sculptures with special glazes. The resulting special sculptures will be food, microwave and oven safe!
January/February 2019
"Starry Night" inspired painted collage
Kindergarteners looked at "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. They noticed the swirls and lines in the sky of the painting, which create a feeling of wind and movement. To make their own 'skies', Kindergarteners painted with tempera paint using thick brushes and combs to make swirls, lines and patterns in the paint. When the paintings dry, students are adding textured collage materials to create a landscape of their own.
Kindergarteners looked at "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. They noticed the swirls and lines in the sky of the painting, which create a feeling of wind and movement. To make their own 'skies', Kindergarteners painted with tempera paint using thick brushes and combs to make swirls, lines and patterns in the paint. When the paintings dry, students are adding textured collage materials to create a landscape of their own.
PRINTMAKING
Kindergarteners are in the process of printing their foam plates during the month of January. First, Kindergarteners drew lines onto foam, which is a soft and slightly 3-dimensional type paper. Over the course of the month, Kindergarteners will each have a turn rolling ink onto their foam plates using brayers. They will then print onto colored paper using another brayer, pressing and rolling to transfer the drawn image and ink onto paper. Look for these prints to hang in the Kindergarten hallway soon!
Kindergarteners are in the process of printing their foam plates during the month of January. First, Kindergarteners drew lines onto foam, which is a soft and slightly 3-dimensional type paper. Over the course of the month, Kindergarteners will each have a turn rolling ink onto their foam plates using brayers. They will then print onto colored paper using another brayer, pressing and rolling to transfer the drawn image and ink onto paper. Look for these prints to hang in the Kindergarten hallway soon!
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Kindergarteners are continuing their explorations of texture, color, line and shape though drawing, painting and collage. Kindergarteners are doing various sketchbook studies, including line and shape 'people', and collages using patterned and textured papers to start a drawing.
Next, Kindergarteners are learning to turn a 2-dimensional piece of paper into a 3-dimensional pop-up sculpture!
Next, Kindergarteners are learning to turn a 2-dimensional piece of paper into a 3-dimensional pop-up sculpture!
September/October, 2018
Kindergarten has started the year investigating texture and color, using crayons, rubbing plates, oil pastel, tempera cakes and watercolor. Kindergarteners saw how watercolor and oil pastel don't mix, but rather 'resist' when overlapped. Next, a collage unit focuses on artistically ripping and cutting textured, colored and patterned papers. This unit culminates in a textured material self-portrait which will hang outside the classrooms. Later students will move into 3-dimensional collages using various pop-up techniques.
JUNE
Painter, Sonya Sklaroff, and mother of Natasha in K-305, visited the Art Studio to show her work to the students. Sonya paints New York City scenes, with a focus on Midtown East. Students drew their own cities and combined them to make a NYC mural.
By June, all Kindergarten students will have done printmaking. Some have used printmaking ink and brayers, while others have used marker and brayers. All students drew into foam paper to create an image, then pressed the colored image onto another paper to create a print!
By June, all Kindergarten students will have done printmaking. Some have used printmaking ink and brayers, while others have used marker and brayers. All students drew into foam paper to create an image, then pressed the colored image onto another paper to create a print!
APRIL/MAY 2018
Wire sculptures inspired by Alexander Calder - Found-Object Sculpture making
february/march 2018
GLAZING - OPEN SCHOOL - CHOICE TIME - SELF-PORTRAITURE
Kindergarteners in Feb/March have been glazing their textured clay sculptures. These will be fired a 2nd time to produce a shiny, colorful coating. Sculptures should be ready to take home by the beginning of April.
It was great to see so many of you during Open-School week! For some classes, it was a chance to see a 'sampling' of the materials we use in art, during 'art choice-time'. Some of the materials and methods included painting with tempera paint, watercolors, tempera 'cakes', pop-up, textured and patterned collages, stamp and tape art, and more.
Next, Kindergarteners will be drawing and painting self-portraits inspired by the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. In her self-portraits, the artist surrounded herself with birds, insects and flora from Mexico. We will also surround our self-portraits with things that we love.
Kindergarteners in Feb/March have been glazing their textured clay sculptures. These will be fired a 2nd time to produce a shiny, colorful coating. Sculptures should be ready to take home by the beginning of April.
It was great to see so many of you during Open-School week! For some classes, it was a chance to see a 'sampling' of the materials we use in art, during 'art choice-time'. Some of the materials and methods included painting with tempera paint, watercolors, tempera 'cakes', pop-up, textured and patterned collages, stamp and tape art, and more.
Next, Kindergarteners will be drawing and painting self-portraits inspired by the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. In her self-portraits, the artist surrounded herself with birds, insects and flora from Mexico. We will also surround our self-portraits with things that we love.
january, 2018
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT FLOWERS
Kindergarteners have created International Night flower paintings inspired by Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O'keeffe. These flowers will be exhibited on the 5th floor during International Night.
CLAY
In January, Kindergarteners are learning all about clay. Students are learning the properties of clay and where clay comes from. Students are practicing rolling, pinching, and pressing into the clay to form sculpture 'reliefs' inspired by ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Students are also adding texture and designs into the clay using various tools.
These sculptures will dry in the art studio, then bake in the kiln (oven). After the first 'firing', students will have a chance to glaze, or paint, their sculptures which will then be fired again. The 2nd firing creates a shiny, durable coating.
Kindergarteners have created International Night flower paintings inspired by Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O'keeffe. These flowers will be exhibited on the 5th floor during International Night.
CLAY
In January, Kindergarteners are learning all about clay. Students are learning the properties of clay and where clay comes from. Students are practicing rolling, pinching, and pressing into the clay to form sculpture 'reliefs' inspired by ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Students are also adding texture and designs into the clay using various tools.
These sculptures will dry in the art studio, then bake in the kiln (oven). After the first 'firing', students will have a chance to glaze, or paint, their sculptures which will then be fired again. The 2nd firing creates a shiny, durable coating.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Kindergarteners looked at Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and noticed the swirls of paint in Van Gogh's sky. Students talked about how the swirls created the feeling of wind and movement. Kindergartener's painted their own swirls using tempera paint, brushes and various types of combs. When the paintings dried, students cut shapes out of foam and textured papers to make another layer of dimension and meaning.
october-november 2017
Kindergarteners have been exploring texture by making rubbings, which give the look of texture. These crayon rubbings were then painted over with tempera paint to make a resist effect (see September/October below). These painted rubbings were then ripped and glued back together to make graphically bold collages (on display in the Kindergarten hallway now!). Kindergarteners then made texture collages using actual textured materials and glue. Some classes added oil pastel over and around the textured materials.
We have also started color mixing using tempera paints, brushes and sponge dabbers. Kindergarteners made orange by mixing yellow, red, white and black tempera paint. They also explored 'symmetry' by folding and unfolding the paper as they worked (see pictures below).
We have also started color mixing using tempera paints, brushes and sponge dabbers. Kindergarteners made orange by mixing yellow, red, white and black tempera paint. They also explored 'symmetry' by folding and unfolding the paper as they worked (see pictures below).
September/October - 2017
Kindergarteners have been off to a great start this year in the art studio! Students have been busy learning all about texture. We have been making rubbings in class using rubbing plates, and anything with a bumpy texture, including our shoes!
Next, students painted over their crayon rubbings with watercolor and tempera 'cakes'. This created a 'resist' effect, where the watercolor and the crayon stay apart from each other.
Next, students painted over their crayon rubbings with watercolor and tempera 'cakes'. This created a 'resist' effect, where the watercolor and the crayon stay apart from each other.
JUNE
Found-object sculpture making was a big success! Students first looked at the found-object sculpture, "The Head of a Bull" by Picasso made out of bicycle parts. We learned that many artists take everyday objects and turn them into sculptures.
Through connecting objects which are normally recycled, students created playgrounds, gardens, houses, robots and more. During the second week, students painted these sculptures using tempera paint. Some added feathers, string, beads and packing peanuts to make their sculpture even more unique.
Through connecting objects which are normally recycled, students created playgrounds, gardens, houses, robots and more. During the second week, students painted these sculptures using tempera paint. Some added feathers, string, beads and packing peanuts to make their sculpture even more unique.
may
Kindergartener's clay sculptures are starting to come out of the kiln and soon will be ready to take home. Kindergarteners investigated texture in clay. They made patterns and textures using various tools and rubbing plates. After the first kiln firing, students glazed their sculptures using up to 12 colors, making their clay even more personal and unique. These clay sculptures are now shiny, durable, and even dishwasher and microwave safe!
Kindergarteners are next looking at the mobiles and wire sculptures of Alexander Calder. They are also looking at Calder's Circus, including a video of Calder manipulating his circus creations. They are making their own mobiles out of wire, pipe cleaners, feathers and beads. These mobiles hang and move, like Calder's original mobiles (although much smaller!).
Soon, students will begin a 'Found-Object Sculpture' unit, using the wine corks, empty paper towel rolls and boxes that you have been donating to the Art Studio. More to come soon on this exciting project!
Kindergarteners are next looking at the mobiles and wire sculptures of Alexander Calder. They are also looking at Calder's Circus, including a video of Calder manipulating his circus creations. They are making their own mobiles out of wire, pipe cleaners, feathers and beads. These mobiles hang and move, like Calder's original mobiles (although much smaller!).
Soon, students will begin a 'Found-Object Sculpture' unit, using the wine corks, empty paper towel rolls and boxes that you have been donating to the Art Studio. More to come soon on this exciting project!
APRIL
GLAZING PAPER PEOPLE
Kindergarteners are glazing their clay sculptures in April. The glazes will produce a shiny, bright color when fired (baked) a second time in the kiln (oven). Student sculptures should be ready to take home some time in April, and will be microwave, oven and dishwasher proof!
Kindergarteners are also learning about the proportions of the figure, by looking at a wooden drawing figurine. This is helping us learn to draw and create people in action. We've discovered that we can make people by using colored paper, scissors and glue. Our 'action heros' are starting to be seen in the Kindergarten hallways!
Kindergarteners are also learning about the proportions of the figure, by looking at a wooden drawing figurine. This is helping us learn to draw and create people in action. We've discovered that we can make people by using colored paper, scissors and glue. Our 'action heros' are starting to be seen in the Kindergarten hallways!
MARCH
CLAY!
Kindergartener began working with clay in March. We learned where clay comes from: that it is a natural material found underground, or in river beds. Clay can be different colors as well, depending on which region of the world that it is from. Kindergarteners have noticed what clay feels like (bumpy, squishy, cold, hard, smooth, wet, dry...),
Students are now making 'coins' or small decorative wall hangings. They are adding designs and textures with pencils, plastic texture plates, and wooden tools. The clay sculptures will dry for three weeks in the art room, and then be fired, or baked, in our kiln (oven). Students will then paint the clay sculptures with glazes. After a second firing, the sculptures will be shiny and colorful, and ready to take home.
Students are now making 'coins' or small decorative wall hangings. They are adding designs and textures with pencils, plastic texture plates, and wooden tools. The clay sculptures will dry for three weeks in the art room, and then be fired, or baked, in our kiln (oven). Students will then paint the clay sculptures with glazes. After a second firing, the sculptures will be shiny and colorful, and ready to take home.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
PRINTMAKING!
January and February was printmaking time for Kindergarteners! Students loved the process of printmaking, with all of the surprises that it brings. The first step was to plan their drawing, which they did in their sketchbooks, using their imagination as inspiration. Themes included animals, family, nature, and transportation. Next, students drew their plans onto foam paper. Students had to press hard with the ebony pencil in order to 'etch' deep lines into the foam. Students then rolled colored printmaking ink onto the foams using brayers, or rollers. Lastly, students put white paper on top of the inked foams, pressed with a 2nd brayer, pulled off the paper, and voila!
These colorful prints will be displayed this coming month in the Kindergarten hallways.
These colorful prints will be displayed this coming month in the Kindergarten hallways.
DECEMBER
As you can see from the faces in these photographs, Kindergarteners LOVED making the color purple using red, blue and white tempera paint. We used sponge dabbers (cut up sponges attached to clothes pins) and combs to mix, dab, and create textures in our paint! These paintings are actually inspired by looking at the color of sky, and how artists might show sky using paint. These sky paintings will be used as backgrounds for animal collages made with brightly colored and textured paper. Keep an eye out for them soon in the Kindergarten hallways!
NOVEMBER
Kindergarteners this November have been busy making collages in varying ways. They've practiced their ripping, overlapping, cutting, glueing, and most recently turning flat paper into 3-D pop-up collages. These collages have become inventive play spaces, parks, skate parks and more. Kindergarteners have learned that a sculpture is a 3-dimensional work of art, which can be made out of any materials, including paper. Paper has only length and width, while a sculpture has length, width and depth.
Most Kindergarten classes have celebrated 'art choice time'. This is a special time, which can take over 2 months to earn! (Their marble chart has 6 marbles, one of which can be filled in each time they come to art. Our next marble chart will be a color wheel). During art choice time, the room becomes full of art choices, including tape art with multi-colored tapes, stencils, tempera paint, collage materials, watercolor, oil pastels, sketchbooks, and special books. Students had the option to rotate centers, creating a mixed-media picture as they traveled the room!
Most Kindergarten classes have celebrated 'art choice time'. This is a special time, which can take over 2 months to earn! (Their marble chart has 6 marbles, one of which can be filled in each time they come to art. Our next marble chart will be a color wheel). During art choice time, the room becomes full of art choices, including tape art with multi-colored tapes, stencils, tempera paint, collage materials, watercolor, oil pastels, sketchbooks, and special books. Students had the option to rotate centers, creating a mixed-media picture as they traveled the room!
OCTOBER
Kindergarteners have been painting and drawing using oil pastels, watercolor and tempera 'cakes'. Students painted on top of their oil pastel texture rubbings with water based paint to discover a 'resist' effect. Some Kindergarten classes have started collage, using ripped paper and oil pastels, which will begin a collage unit.
Students also just received a handmade sketchbook, in which they can draw sketches for art projects and practice working with materials. Sketchbooks will stay in the room to be used before and after the main art project for the day.
We are lucky to have Meno, our student teacher this Fall. The students are getting to know Meno, who has been helping the students with their paintings, drawings, managing routines, and giving mini-lessons!
Students also just received a handmade sketchbook, in which they can draw sketches for art projects and practice working with materials. Sketchbooks will stay in the room to be used before and after the main art project for the day.
We are lucky to have Meno, our student teacher this Fall. The students are getting to know Meno, who has been helping the students with their paintings, drawings, managing routines, and giving mini-lessons!
September
Rubbings!
Hello! My name is Judy Londa, and I am your child's art teacher for the coming year. I am excited for a year filled with creativity in the Art Studio!
Kindergarteners started the year learning about texture from rubbing plates and creative crayons. Students will soon add paint which will create a 'resist' effect. These colorful works will also become a basis for collage.
Over the course of the year, we will be using many different techniques and materials, exposing your child to the rich language of art. For the first part of the year, we will be focusing on painting, drawing and collage, while establishing a safe and friendly learning environment. Students will explore the elements of art including pattern, texture, shape, line, form, dimension and color. Throughout the year, we will be using materials such as watercolor and tempera paint, clay, found-objects, oil pastel, crayon, ebony and colored pencils, along with various types of printmaking.
With everything we do, I stress the importance of art as non-competitive and experiential. During class, students will be able to share and discuss their art with friends, and to look at art and artists throughout history, and from around the world.
I look forward to meeting you during "Open School Week"!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at my email address or school mailbox.
Best,
Judy Londa
[email protected]
Kindergarteners started the year learning about texture from rubbing plates and creative crayons. Students will soon add paint which will create a 'resist' effect. These colorful works will also become a basis for collage.
Over the course of the year, we will be using many different techniques and materials, exposing your child to the rich language of art. For the first part of the year, we will be focusing on painting, drawing and collage, while establishing a safe and friendly learning environment. Students will explore the elements of art including pattern, texture, shape, line, form, dimension and color. Throughout the year, we will be using materials such as watercolor and tempera paint, clay, found-objects, oil pastel, crayon, ebony and colored pencils, along with various types of printmaking.
With everything we do, I stress the importance of art as non-competitive and experiential. During class, students will be able to share and discuss their art with friends, and to look at art and artists throughout history, and from around the world.
I look forward to meeting you during "Open School Week"!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at my email address or school mailbox.
Best,
Judy Londa
[email protected]