OP ART by Fourth Grade Artists

Op Art is one of our fourth graders favorite  projects. The artists continue creating many more optical illusions on their own after this lesson is taught. Each year I like to change the lesson a little. 

The first class of the lesson we talked about what Op Art is and how it began. During this discussion we view Op Art by Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely. We then view sections of the DVD by Peggy Flores on Optical Illusions. If time during the first 40 minute class, the student artists explore what they have learned with paper, pencils, and markers.

The second class of the lesson we all began by putting a dot in the middle of our paper. Next we drew  an even number of straight or curvy lines to the outside edge of the paper. The third step was to draw shapes around the dot. They could be organic or geometric. Next we colored the shapes we created in with marker making sure we colored in a checker board effect.

If there was time the students added the final step of making Op Art spheres and arranging on their backround. 

Abstract Trees Inspired by Piet Mondrian

Our fifth grade artists created dynamic abstract oil pastel trees. The lesson was introduced with a discussion on abstract art and the artist Piet Mondrian.

5th Grade Impressionistic Landscapes

Our 5th grade artists have been WOWing me with their impressionistic techniques!

 

We started this lesson by viewing the entertaining video Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists, Claude Monet. After the video we play a review game. The amount of information they remember from the video to ask each other questions about always amazes me.

The next art class each student chooses a Claude Monet art print of a landscape to study as the students render their own with pencil and oil pastels. They can change anything they wish. It usually takes one more art class for them to complete their landscape.

 Each student artist develops their own impressionistic style. By the time they are finished they have really had a chance to study their print closely.

The hall display looks great. The student art work is hung with prints by Claude Monet and a poster on information about him.