Clay Imprint Nature Chimes

For our first summer outdoor art project, we made these clay nature imprint chimes.

Be it known that I have a lot of air dry clay. I thought this project would be a super fun way to use it while incorporating lots of natural elements into our artwork.

Turns out the kids really enjoyed the process and they loved their finished chimes!





The first step was to work the clay into a ball and roll it out. We used paint stirrers to help us keep the rolled slab of clay about 1/4" thick.

Next, we took a hike around the yards to collect natural objects to press into the clay.

Our goal was to find a variety of textures that would make nice impressions, such as evergreen needles, vines, leaf veins, and plants with different shapes and lumps and  bumps in them. Pine cones were an option too. 

We pressed the items into the clay, one by one, using the palm of the hand to press it in firmly (not the fingers).

Then we removed the item and pressed in another, leaving maybe an inch around each one.

Using a table knife, we cut out each object, poked a hole into it for hanging, and placed it on a piece of cardboard to dry.









The next day, we painted each piece with a nature color. We used many mixtures of greens and blues and even purples. 


We pressed the paint into the nooks and crannies of our imprints, and then we quickly wiped most of the paint off with a moist cloth. 





The paint remained in the imprinted image, and the kids were so "impressed!"


We wore gloves for this step because acrylic craft paint is difficult to wash off, and this can be a messy process.

Since this is an outdoor class, our painted imprints dried quickly. 


Next, we strung each imprint onto a piece of jute and tied it. Then we added a few pony beads. 








Now all we had to do choose a small branch hanger for our chimes. Then we laid out the pieces, making sure the imprints hung at different levels.  Placing the largest one at the center and lower than the rest was a good way to achieve balance. 


We tied the chimes to the branch, then we tied on a thicker piece of jute as a hanger.

  

Adding Ink to Watercolor

This week we tried adding details in ink to our watercolor sketches. We started with a watercolor sketch from last week's art class.

It was not our goal to add extreme detail to the paintings, but rather to indicate shadows and textures using an ultra-fine Sharpie for short lines and scribbles.





To start, find an eye-catching  subject, such as this rhubarb plant in front of a red house... hmmm, interesting!

(The EZ Up pole could be distracting, but this artist simply ignored it.)





Next, sketch in the basic shapes lightly in pencil (if desired), or in watercolor, as this artist did. 







Additional greens are added to the plant. Then a lighter green is painted to represent the lawn, and a few shades of red to fill in the background.





The dry painting is now ready for a little ink work. The artist added veins in the leaves, shadows, texture to represent grass, and some impressive shingles in the house! 





Here is a weeping aspen tree that lives across the street. The artist added the chain link fence using her Sharpie.







This windmill was drawn in ink on top of a completed painting of a shady area under a huge evergreen tree. The artist also added scribbly "needles" and texture to the tree bark. 





Only a few of the flowers in this rose bush are outlined, giving it a delicate, refined look. 

As we always say, "less is more!"

There is very little ink work in this painting. The artist chose paint instead of ink for the fence, which gave it a more delicate, graceful look.

Watercolor Sketching

Plein air artists often paint in watercolor; a versatile, lightweight medium that virtually anyone can learn.


In this class, we created watercolor sketches.




We started by looking for an interesting subject to paint. The goal isn't to find the perfect subject; just a scene that catches the eye. We search for forms, shapes, textures, and colors that  appeal to us.






Next, we set up our art media and supplies. As an option, a very light pencil sketch is okay; or the artist can simply begin sketching with the watercolors. 

Using a light touch and the tip of the brush is often the challenge.





  

It also helps to squint your eyes and observe the subject in its simplest form. Keeping our paintings small, we painted quickly without attempting to achieve perfection, just as though we were creating a pencil sketch. 






Once the main subject is competed, we painted a simple wash of color around it, leaving varying amounts of "sketchy" white space and ignoring any distracting background shapes or objects.








Again, it helps to squint and simplify the scene, looking for basic shapes and colors. Then add a bit of texture and additional color, and finally, a wash of background colors. 











Sometimes the background is best left alone, as in this painting of a bush featuring scarlet red leaves. 








These watercolor sketches can be done directly in one's sketchbook or drawing pad. 

It is not necessary to use watercolor paper or to tape the paper to your board (as opposed to a more traditional watercolor painting).




This artist chose to place four small watercolor sketches on one sheet of paper. Three of these illustrate a variety of bushes seen from one vantage point. The fourth is a lovely closeup of a dandelion!






We have two windmills in our yard, which serve as popular subjects for our plein air paintings.









This artist refined her watercolor sketch further to create this detailed painting of a rose. She mixed an impressive variety of reds and maroons to depict each individual rose petal.

Plein Air Artists at Work

"En plein air" is a French term for "painting out of doors." The warm summer days of June were perfect for our plein air painting studio.


Our introductory plein air class was all about creating at least one outdoor painting while making decisions along the way, such as:  



Finding an appropriate subject.


Finding a good place to sit to paint chosen subject. And getting comfortable.


Using a viewfinder to find the best view of chosen subject.

Choosing appropriate art media for the painting, such as watercolor, pastels, or colored pencils.


Organizing and managing art supplies around the artist for ease of use.


And finally, deciding how to get started, beginning with a sketch of some kind.



Things we learned along the way: 

Balancing and working effectively with water and a drawing/painting board. 

The value of wearing sunscreen and possibly a brimmed hat when painting out of doors.





Our first experience with plein air painting was a valuable one for these young artists. 

They had the freedom to learn on their own about the challenges of creating art in an outdoor environment without straying beyond their own backyard (or in this case, my backyard). 

Drawing My Room

Continuing with Part 3 of our Expanding Drawing Skills series, we're going to draw our living space, or the details of the room that we are in. These types of drawings are called "interiors." 

To draw an interior, all you need are a drawing pencil, a large soft eraser (white is best), and a drawing board if you have one. The drawing board allows you to relax on a couch or chair and set up your drawing surface at a comfortable angle. 

First, observe the room and decide where to start. It often works well to start on one side of the room and work your way to the other side, such as left to right. Try to include as many details as possible. Remember that things nearest you "overlap" objects that are farther away.

Both of the drawings above are of the same living room, but drawn at different times and by a different artist. Can you tell? What parts of the room are the same? What is different?


Here is another interior drawing, this time of a bedroom. Is this a clean or a messy room? Is this a boys' or a girls' room? How can details help a drawing tell a story? Would you say that details make a drawing more interesting to look at?



Here is an open closet in the same bedroom. The only thing missing are the shoes! 

(The artist said they were too messy to draw.)

This started out as a centerpiece drawing project from a book called Drawing With Children. The artist then completed the drawing by placing the centerpiece on the table in our kitchen. He added cabinets, drawers, chairs, and even our parakeet, Monet!

This interior drawing shows a corner of a classroom. Notice the toys in the 3-dimensional shelves, the posters on the wall, and the blocks laying on the floor.

When beginning an interior drawing, don't ever decide that the scene in front of you is "too hard." 

Just start drawing, one object at a time. Use a piece of ordinary copy paper or drawing paper and fill it up to all four edges. Don't try to squeeze everything in. Just draw to the edges of the paper as through you are taking picture with a camera. Each time you draw an interior, the next one will be easier for you.  Go ahead, give it a try!

Next: Our favorite Halloween Art Project Ideas you can try at home!

Drawing from Life

In Part 3 of our Expanding Drawing Skills series, we're going to draw from life. 

In other words, we'll use our powers of observation to draw what we see!


Do you ever draw the things that you see around you? If so, that's great! If not, let's give it a try. 

Drawing from life helps you to see details that you might not otherwise notice.  You observe how objects are placed in relation to other objects, such as behind or in front of or stacked or beneath or next to other things. 

The best way to get started is to sketch your own belongings - simple things you look at every day.  Use a black marker or Sharpie so that you aren't so worried about erasing "mistakes." Just draw what you see and have fun.

Now let's try some Object Studies.

Find a simple object to draw, such as a roll of masking tape. Draw from as many angles or "view points" as you can: top, side, and three-quarter view (meaning you can see both the top and the side at the same time). Draw these all on the same sheet of paper. 

Try it again with another object, such as this bottle of white glue. See how many views of the object you can find to draw, such as the bottom and a three quarter view of the object laying flat on the table. 

After a bit of practice, it's time for a nature walk! Look for something interesting for an object study; such as this tiny piece of an aspen branch. Can you find a twig, a pine cone, a flower, or an acorn? Use a pencil for this study. It's okay to erase if you need to. 

Let's try drawing something a bit more complex - like toys! If you have any Beanie Babies around, they make great models! You can set up a Beanie Baby any way you want and draw it again and again!

Now let's dig a little deeper. 

For this drawing, grab a small handful of Legos or other tiny toys or figures, and drop them on a table. Observe each piece carefully and draw it. Draw all of your objects on the same page. 

The best way to improve your drawing skills is to keep practicing!

Draw from life every day. Draw whatever you see around you. Draw objects in your desk drawer and on tables and shelves. Draw kitchen utensils and tools and appliances. 

Best of all, draw toys! So much fun! Try drawing a plushy lightly in pencil. Then go over your lines with a Sharpie, adding more details and fuzz. Then erase the pencil with a big soft eraser. 

Next, we'll draw your room and everything in it. Yes. Even if it's messy.