Christmas ArtWorkShop

 

What is an ArtWorkShop?

First of all, this is not a grammatical error.  It is a combination of an "Artwork Workshop" and, in this case, a "Christmas Art Workshop." So, in essence, it is an ArtWorkShop; all one word. 

In any case, this artworkshop was an open studio experience that allowed artists to create their choice of Christmas-themed artwork. They could use any of the displayed studio artworks for inspiration, or create something totally unique. 

(Sometimes artists already have something in mind and I certainly encourage this!) 

As the artists' assistant, my job is to provide materials, supplies, technical support, and positive feedback. Nothing more. The artist is responsible for his/her own ideas and creativity. 

Note: I try to incorporate the TAB process as much as possible into an open studio experience. (Teaching for Artistic Behavior.)

This talented artist wanted to work on her drawing skills. The nutcrackers on display in the studio caught her eye, so she decided to create one of her own. 

This artist utilized construction paper to create these 3-dimensional figures, similar to popup cards. This is what I believe construction paper is designed for: imagination-based creation: cutting, gluing, folding, and embellishing with markers, stickers, and what-have-you. 

Viola!

Here's another paper-construction masterpiece, this time created by a four-year-old, with the help of her adult assistant (otherwise known as Grandma). 

While having fun making art, she made a plan and then dabbled in paper cutting, punching, folding, rolling (around a pencil), arranging, and gluing; as well as drawing, embellishing, and finishing a unique project. 

All of these art-making skills and experiences will benefit her when she enters school.

Obviously I don't treat every art class as an open-studio. Novice artists want to learn specific skills or how to use unfamiliar media and as an instructor, I can provide that instruction. However, the best learning experiences often come from self-guided creativity, unfettered imagination, and free experimentation with materials and processes. 

Autumn-Themed Still Life Art

    Autumn Still Life   
By Jackie, oil pastel on paper

I just love the amazing colors of fall, so as an artist I'm always looking for new ways depict them in our artwork. 

In the past we have utilized watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, and tempera paint for our fall-themed still life art.

This time, we created these stunning autumn-themed still life artworks with oil pastels on black sulfite paper. Here's how we did it:

Our selected still life elements

The still life. First, we collected a variety of fall-themed objects with which to build our still life model. We couldn't use everything, so we selected the most interesting objects, making sure to choose a variety of sizes, colors, and textures. 

The final still life arrangement

Next, the still life elements were arranged on a seamless 'stage' (such as a poster board) to create the still life model, and a good light source was set up for distinct shadows and highlights.

The sketch. Once everything was in place, the artists chose a pleasing vantage point from which to observe the model, and sketch in the basic shapes on a piece of 9" x 12" black sulfite paper. We use Tru-Ray, which is a high grade construction paper that is very black in color and resistant to fading. Use soft pastels (white or black) instead of pencil for sketching on sulfite paper because it can be easily wiped away with a soft dry rag - no eraser needed.

The palette. Our next step was to observe the model, carefully taking note of each color. A green acorn squash might have three or four different greens in it (ours did), so create your palette by pulling each possible green color from your oil pastel set, holding it up and comparing it to what you see in the object. If the color is the same, or very similar, set it aside. You are creating a specific palette for this pastel painting. Continue choosing pastel sticks until you have compiled your still life palette and keep your palette colors separated from your remaining set until the artwork is completed.  

The painting process. Now you can proceed to fill in your still life elements with color, always observing shapes, textures, colors, shadows, and highlights. Some of your colors will need to be layered, and some of your marks will be laid heavily, others with a very light touch. It can also help to have a toothpick available to scrape in lines and texture, such as in these leaves.

The shadows. The final step is laying in black soft pastel beneath the still life to create shadows. Simply fill in the areas and softly blend in and away from the still life using your finger. Then, stand back, observe carefully, and make any needed adjustments to your artwork. 

Notes: You may have noticed that, although using the same model, the above two pieces are painted from two very different vantage points. Also, one artist chose not to include the pine cone, and some of the leaves are rearranged in the artworks. These pieces were painted by adults, but can be painted by younger artists as well.

For more autumn-themed pastel (and mixed media) paintings by younger students, take a look at our previous weblog posts, here and here.