This lesson took (4) 40 minute classes to complete. 

On day 1, students learned about the life and artwork created by Yayoi Kusama, then  drew along with me as I demonstrated how to draw the pumpkin, under the document camera. They drew with pencil first on 9 x 12“ 80 # white drawing paper.

Next, students drew whatever patterns they wanted in every other section of their pumpkin. 

Then used black sharpie to trace over all their pencil lines, and colored in their patterns with black sharpie. 

We talked about the principle of art “contrast” and how adding the black and white patterns against the brightly colored oil pastel adds a ton of contrast to their work, and makes it pop! 

Then they added oil pastels to the sections that did not have any patterns. 

I demonstrated to students how to clean the tips of the oil pastels with a folded paper towel to get rid of any residue from other colors that may be on their oil pastel stick. This prevents other colors from smearing onto their art. 

(I keep dozens of colors together in clear, plastic shoe box containers to share between groups at tables, or in between desks)

They are always so amazed every time I show them this trick!! 

They could use any colors they wanted (although we discussed how blending complementary colors like red and green together would create a brown) and blended any two colors that connected. 

For the final step, students cut out their pumpkin, leaving a bit of white paper along their entire pumpkin. 

I love the variety of line, shape, pattern and vibrant color! Not to mention the awesome contrast! 

Lesson from @2art.chambers on Instagram 

Please Note: In case you follow me, and saw this lesson under my 4th grade section at a previous time— its posted under my 4th grade art lessons page from a couple of years ago because back then I taught it to 3rd AND 4th grade the same year.

LEARNING GOALS

• Students can demonstrate an understanding of overlapping and color blending and show this in their artwork 
• Students can define and create patterns in their artwork 
• Students can define contrast and show this in their artwork
• Students can identify and create artwork inspired by Yayoi Kusama 

Be on the look out tomorrow for a new post on a NEW exciting lesson for 5th!

The two first prints at the top are my teacher examples FYI

This was a very fun 3 day art lesson! 

To prepare for the lesson, I took 30 sheets of tinfoil and traced a piece of 80# drawing paper (9×12”) onto each sheet of tinfoil with sharpie. Be sure to make the rectangle a little larger than the actual paper. 

*Tip – Use “heavy duty” tinfoil – not the regular kind. It will last longer. The tinfoil sheets can be wiped down with water and paper towels after each use, and be re-used a few times unless it rips. 

Then students followed along with me as I showed them under the doc camera how to draw their pumpkin on a sheet of 9×12” 80# paper with pencil.

Then inside each section of their pumpkin they drew patterns with pencil. 

Then they traced over all lines with a black sharpie. Students filled in some of the shapes with black sharpie as well.

Then on DAY 3, students colored in the rectangle on their sheet of tinfoil with whatever colors they wanted, any way they wanted, using Crayola washable markers, making sure to fill in all of it. I always tell the kids to color in beyond the rectangle a bit, just to be sure it’s fully colored. Make sure to leave no bald spots. 

With their finished black and white pumpkin drawing next to them, and a large messy mat under their colored tinfoil, I walked around and sprayed water using a spray bottle about 5 or 6 times onto the colored part of the tinfoil (maybe holding it 12” away) 

Students then placed their pumpkin paper (face down) onto the colored in area and pressed all over the entire backside of their drawing for at least 20-30 seconds. 

Kids hands will definitely get a lot of marker on them, but I let them know that ahead of time, and just explain it will wash out over the next few handwashing’s. I like to wear gloves as I demo to kids for this reason! 

After counting to about 30 seconds, while pressing and smoothing over the backside of their papers all the way to the edges, students carefully lifted one corner of their pumpkin drawing and flipped their paper over onto the tinfoil to reveal their awesome print!

 All the marker transfers onto their pumpkin drawing! 

After,  students picked up and placed the messy mat, tinfoil and pumpkin print onto the drying rack to dry. 

Kids had a BLAST creating these!! This is definitely a fun and exciting lesson that I’ll definitely keep doing again and again! 

I saw this lesson idea about 4 or 5 years ago on Instagram from a few different art teachers @mrsallainart 

@art2.chambers and @helloartteacher

LEARNING GOALS

• Students can create a print using markers and water on tinfoil
• Students learn the basics of printmaking 
• Students can define and create various patterns within their artwork

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan, illustrated by Cyd Moore

I know I’ve been posting only read-alouds the past two weeks, (and I’ve been having fun creating them btw!) but I will be posting new student artwork VERY soon!!

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds