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India Ink Nest Artwork
India ink is one of my students’ favorite media. It creates bold artworks and the variety of painting, line work and ink splatter are so much fun to experiment with. Try out this india ink nest artwork that explores value, contrast, composition and symbolism. If you have a short attention span like me, this video will give you 38 second snapshot of the technique: Observational … Continue reading India Ink Nest Artwork
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Hand Contour Drawing
Hands are a tough subject. My students eyes get wide when I say we are going to focus on drawing hands from life. This hand contour drawing unit requires tons of guided practice and lot’s of encouragement along the way. Hands are a great subject matter because they are so approachable, easy to come by, and are an incredible tool to communicate ideas, emotion and … Continue reading Hand Contour Drawing
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Seven Sculpture Lessons That are Not Clay
This post will describe my favorite seven sculpture lessons that are not clay. Building a 3D program with a variety of processes and materials can be challenging. There are budget constraints and sculpture supplies can be so expensive. Some of the techniques can be intimidating and I don’t always have a lot of experience with certain media. Flashback to the time I bought a bunch … Continue reading Seven Sculpture Lessons That are Not Clay
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Art History Warm-Ups
This post will describe (in detail!) my practice of daily art history warm-ups. These prompts help students develop their art interpretation and art criticism skills and it’s a wonderful opportunity to investigate a broad range of artists consistently. Students also develop their art vocabulary both by writing and participating in verbal discussions. This practice is a classroom management game changer and helps establish a daily … Continue reading Art History Warm-Ups
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Memory Linocut Artwork
Linocuts are such a fun way to explore line, shape and personal expression. Students (mostly) love the hands-on process and the magic of pulling prints. The physicality of carving keeps students engaged and the final results are often a beautiful surprise. This memory linocut artwork provides great results and helps student practice using their personal voice. Materials for Linocuts ***This description contains affiliate links to … Continue reading Memory Linocut Artwork
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Monochromatic Pet Portrait
Monochromatic pet portraits teach the basics of painting while giving students ownership of their subject matter. Pets are a subject matter that consistently bring happiness to students and allow them to focus on realism and blending value and color. We started by practicing blending shades and tints using a set of primary base colors. I like to start with grayscale so they can see how … Continue reading Monochromatic Pet Portrait
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Clay Bust Art Lesson
This clay bust art lesson is a fantastic way for students to explore figurative art, personal expression and a variety of handbuilding techniques. Do you have a short attention span like me? This quick video will show you all the steps. Clay Bust Video Tutorial This video tutorial is classroom ready and will show you and your students every step of this clay bust art … Continue reading Clay Bust Art Lesson
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Amaco Underglazes and Watercolor Underglazes
I love to use amaco underglazes and watercolor underglazes because the results are more painterly and easier to control. Amaco underglazes are simply colored clay, so it is just clay, a little water and pigment. You can use underglazes on clay before it ever goes in the kiln or it can be applied on bisqueware, which is what I prefer. This detailed tutorial is ready … Continue reading Amaco Underglazes and Watercolor Underglazes
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Expressive Clay Portrait Lesson
If you are looking for a great secondary clay artwork, this expressive clay portrait lesson is my all time favorite! Students get to learn the basics of clay while exploring expression and facial features. There are so many directions to take and tons of artists to inspire your students. It is also a cost effective lesson that does not require much clay per student. Do … Continue reading Expressive Clay Portrait Lesson
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Wire Figure Sculpture
This wire figure sculpture lesson is one of my favorite lessons of all time. It is engaging, challenging, and allows for students to explore personal expression. The artist connections are endless, and using the human body as a subject allows students to explore what it means to be human. Do you have a short attention span like me? This quick video will give you a … Continue reading Wire Figure Sculpture
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Chalk Pastel Candle Artwork
Candle light is a beautiful subject for an artwork. It creates drama, mystery and the dynamic lighting has so many opportunities for creativity. I love using chalk pastels because they are inexpensive and so darn easy to blend. As long as you have a plan for the mess, chalk pastels are great for the classroom. This video lesson will walk you through all the steps … Continue reading Chalk Pastel Candle Artwork
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Abstract Architecture Painting
Acrylic paint is so versatile and fun to work with, but can be intimidating for students. I love this abstract architecture painting because it simplifies painting concepts and allows for students to be free with their creative choices. I give no limit on color or texture application and the “let what happens, happen” attitude is freeing for (most!) students. Do you have a short attention … Continue reading Abstract Architecture Painting
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Coil Lantern Video Tutorial
This this coil lantern video tutorial is an excellent high school clay project. This classroom ready tutorial will show you step by step decorative coil building and then proper construction techniques. Once it is fired (or try it with air dry clay!) it will make a clay lantern that can hold a candle. If you have a short attention span like I do, this quick … Continue reading Coil Lantern Video Tutorial
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India Ink Skull Artwork
India ink is an excellent material to explore value and contrast, and this india ink skull is a winner with my students! Try out this spooky subject matter using a skull photograph as a reference. We will look at value mapping, painting ink with a brush and add splatters for a fun accent. India Ink Technique Practice Most of my students have no experience with … Continue reading India Ink Skull Artwork
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India Ink Landscape Art Lesson
Try out this minimalist india ink landscape art lesson to create stunning results with a beautiful sense of depth. We focused on creating depth and space using value throughout the parts of a landscape. My students really enjoyed looking at Japanese ink landscapes while playing around with such fun and inexpensive materials. India Ink Landscape Tutorial This video explains my technique entirely and is great … Continue reading India Ink Landscape Art Lesson
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Colored Pencil Pumpkin Artwork
Fall is here and my students are obsessed with all things Spooky Season! Try out these colored pencil pumpkin artworks focusing on blending dynamic color and value. Colored Pencil Pumpkin Artwork Classroom Ready Tutorial: They have been working really hard on color theory and blending with this abstract artwork and pumpkin drawing made a great extension activity as students finished at different paces. I love … Continue reading Colored Pencil Pumpkin Artwork
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Found Object Assemblage Sculpture
Found object assemblage sculpture is one of my all time favorite lessons. They are budget friendly and a great introduction to composition, which can be a tricky topic in the art room. I love seeing my students’ inner scavenger come alive. There are so many directions to take a found object assemblage and many contemporary artists to draw inspiration. If you have a short attention … Continue reading Found Object Assemblage Sculpture
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Mixed Media Contour Portraits
Contour drawing is my all time favorite way to draw and to teach students to draw from direct observation. This year my students are trying out mixed media contour portraits. We are building on developmental skills while allowing students to get crazy with color and their own personal style. I have done this technique with a wide range of ability levels. From 6th graders to …
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Back to School Resources for Art Teachers
August is my least favorite month. It never gets any easier when the high temperatures of July roll right into August and the back to school ads start running. Although I dread it all summer, I really do love the first couple weeks of school. I get anxious and overwhelmed with all the details, but once the students start walking through my door I feel … Continue reading Back to School Resources for Art Teachers
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How to Draw Basic Human Proportions
This drawing guide is the most basic of the basic! My students are starting their figure drawing unit and we are started at the very beginning (a very good place to start). We are studying basic human proportions by sketching out a figure using simple shapes and eight even sections. We used rulers, pencils and sketch paper to draw each simplified body part and where … Continue reading How to Draw Basic Human Proportions
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Colored Pencil Color Theory Lesson
Try out this colored pencil color theory lesson in your art classroom, with home school students or distance learning! Colored Pencil Color Theory Lesson This video walks you through the steps I used with my mixed group of 10-12th graders. Feel free to use it, or keep reading if you don’t prefer a video format. My Art II students embarked on their color theory exploration … Continue reading Colored Pencil Color Theory Lesson
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Modular Sculpture Art Lesson
Modular Sculpture: Easy 3D Lesson If you are looking for an inexpensive sculpture assignment that teaches the foundations of 3D art, try out this modular sculpture art lesson! I taught this to my 3D Design class that always has quite a mixed bag of students. Many have not taken any other art class in high school and are true beginners. I wanted to teach a … Continue reading Modular Sculpture Art Lesson
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Holiday Artwork Choice Board
December Madness If you are like me, December is a wonderful and chaotic time of year in the art room. We are wrapping up artworks and getting ready to end the semester course or just reaching the halfway point of year round classes. There is a festive spirit, but also a little stress as everyone tries to wrap up grading while keeping students interested in … Continue reading Holiday Artwork Choice Board
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Soap Carving Art Lesson
This soap carving art lesson will show you how to sculpt an abstract design using Ivory soap. We focused on organic abstraction, negative space and how to create a sculpture that is in the round. I use this lesson with my mixed 9th-12th 3D Design course. There are quite a variety of student abilities in mixed together, so we practiced carving soap before we moved … Continue reading Soap Carving Art Lesson
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Charcoal Skull Artwork
Skulls are one of my all time favorite subject matters. Skulls create eerie, yet beautiful, shapes and it is such a great tool for focusing on value and shading. It is also a great opportunity to explore symbolism. I teach in Oklahoma, and my students have always been very responsive to this subject matter too! I set up a still life with the variety of … Continue reading Charcoal Skull Artwork
Zentangle Art Lessons
This post shares my favorite Zentangle art lessons that are perfect for back to school or anytime throughout the year. I have taught the Zentangle method from 5th-12th grade and I love the individualized results. “Back to school” are my three least favorite words in combination. I love school and I truly love teaching, but as soon as I see the school supplies hitting the … Continue reading Zentangle Art Lessons
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Watercolor Drip Zentangle
Take your drawing to the next level with this watercolor drip Zentangle! I had so much fun making this because it combines two of my favorite things: watercolor painting and drawing. A blank piece of paper can be one one of the biggest challenges when creating art, whether you are at home or in the classroom. Zentangles are a great introduction to the school year … Continue reading Watercolor Drip Zentangle
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How to Draw a Dragon Eye with Colored Pencil
Colored Pencil Dragon Eye Learn how to draw a dragon eye with colored pencil with this easy to follow tutorial! This drawing is perfect for the classroom or artists at home. My students love drawing eyes, and they always impress me with their creativity. I teach this Eye Self-Portrait Unit that focuses on color pencil blending and symbolism. I have always demonstrated how to draw … Continue reading How to Draw a Dragon Eye with Colored Pencil
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Styrofoam Printmaking Art Lesson
Styrofoam Printmaking Art Lesson Try out this class friendly styrofoam printmaking art lesson inspired by musical instruments and the Harlem Renaissance! My students loved the art and music connections and there is nothing like the magic of printmaking. I set up printing stations in the back of my classroom and it usually takes three days for a class of 25 to pull three prints. This … Continue reading Styrofoam Printmaking Art Lesson
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Cactus Acrylic Painting Lesson
Try out this simple cactus acrylic painting lesson! It focuses on blending colors directly on the surface and painting a simple object from direct observation. I do this with my sixth graders, but it could totally be adapted for a range of age groups. This lesson has three simple steps to grow confident and creative painters in your classroom. Cactus Acrylic Painting Tutorial This cactus … Continue reading Cactus Acrylic Painting Lesson
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Oil Pastel Candle Art Lesson
Try out this oil pastel candle art lesson for illuminating and expressive results! My intermediate students have loved creating this artwork because there is something so mesmerizing about the glow of candlelight. Throughout art history, candlelight creates drama, mystery and contrast. Check out the full length tutorial: My husband is a painting professor at a small university, and he is obsessed with Caravaggio and De … Continue reading Oil Pastel Candle Art Lesson
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Op Art Tutorials for Beginners
These four Op Art Tutorials for beginners will show you how to make Op Art, an abstract style of art based on creating optical illusions. My students really love creating Op Art because it’s a puzzle for your brain and an artwork rolled into one. I love to use these tutorials as extension activities (or “what do I do when I’m finished” choices…”), sub plans … Continue reading Op Art Tutorials for Beginners
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Torn Paper Galaxy Landscape
Happy 2021! ✨🥳✨ A group of students pulled off these torn paper galaxy landscape artworks on the last day of class of 2020. I was reminded of them waking up to a record snowfall on January 1st, and I don’t know whether to take it as a good or bad sign for what’s to come 😜😳❄️. Check out my classroom ready torn paper galaxy landscape … Continue reading Torn Paper Galaxy Landscape
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New Year Reflection Doodle
If there is ever a time to reflect, it is the end of 2020. I usually focus on goals and resolutions at the end of the year, but it felt more appropriate this year to pause and practice gratitude. I made this New Year Reflection Doodle as an opportunity to not only personally reflect on my year, but for students who have also experienced a …
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Among Us Drawing Tutorial
Learn how to draw Among Us characters with this easy tutorial! If your students are like mine, they are obsessed with Among Us. I put together this Among Us drawing tutorial video and handout to excite my students, and it did NOT disappoint. Download the PDF! Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the newest trends. I’m still recovering from Mind Craft, Fort Nite and … Continue reading Among Us Drawing Tutorial
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Distance Learning Shading Lessons
This post will describe and provide guided tutorials for five distance learning shading lessons that can also be done in a traditional classroom or at home. I have been back at work for two confusing weeks of professional development training for our “new normal” (anyone else sick of this term already?). Our student start date was pushed back and the eyes of our parents and … Continue reading Distance Learning Shading Lessons
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Colored Pencil Name Design
This colored pencil name design is totally classroom ready and adaptable for whatever your teaching situation you find yourself in. You can use this for distance learning, a social distanced classroom, home school or for the independent artist looking to enhance their colored pencil skills. My head is spinning trying to find distance learning art lessons that also can be used in the art classroom … Continue reading Colored Pencil Name Design
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Clay Figure Sculpture
I am hoping this school year will be one for trying out brand new ideas or bringing back old favorites. Nothings stretches your imagination like teaching during a global pandemic, right? I always want my students to have opportunities to create sculpture. In 2020, a social distanced art room is very different than the hustle and bustle of a clay clean-up from the past. How … Continue reading Clay Figure Sculpture
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Art Distance Learning Ideas
The year 2020 will be one of those years we never forget. It has completely turned public education on it’s head leaving students, parents and teachers feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I channeled my stress during quarantine into cranking out art distance learning ideas on YouTube. This post includes links to FREE full length video tutorials that I have either used, or plan to use, for … Continue reading Art Distance Learning Ideas
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Surrealism Inspired Collage Artworks
Collage is a great technique to explore creativity and happenstance. You can’t plan exactly how it will turn out because you are limited to the images you have in your source materials. Its great for the classroom of any level because the “I can’t draw kids” can work on expressing ideas without relying on their technical skills. In this post, I will share TWO collage … Continue reading Surrealism Inspired Collage Artworks
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Easy Watercolor Tutorials for Beginners
Summmmmmmmmmer time and the living’s easy! The summer of 2020 is the perfect time to engage your brain in something other than scrolling social media in a paralyzed panic. Being a teacher in 2020 has stretched my limits of anxiety and I vowed this summer to let go, relax and paint fun things for myself. This post has four of my favorite watercolor tutorials that …
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4 Distance Learning Colored Pencil Art Tutorials
Colored pencils are inexpensive, easy to transport and produce fantastic results. I remember falling in love with colored pencils in my high school art class. I loved how they blended and I was obsessed with pressing down so hard my hand would hurt. They are a great learning tool for color because you can blend and shade without the mess of paint. I love using … Continue reading 4 Distance Learning Colored Pencil Art Tutorials
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Step by Step Sketchbook Drawing Prompts
Practicing basic drawing techniques can help artists of all ages build confidence and sharpen their technical skills. I love having my students keep a sketchbook. It’s a great opportunity for students to practice foundational skills, brainstorm artwork ideas, and write and reflect about their own artwork and the artwork of others. It’s a great place to hit all of the standards of teaching that are … Continue reading Step by Step Sketchbook Drawing Prompts
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Inside My Head Collage
Classroom Ready Guided Tutorial: We are living in historic times. Students today are surrounded by uncertainty and disrupted routines. I like to think I am a well adjusted adult, and I am STRUGGLING with how my daily life has changed in 2020. Creating art is such a powerful tool to explore our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and values. I tell my students as often as possible … Continue reading Inside My Head Collage
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Gray Scale Pet Portrait
This beginner friendly pet portrait tutorial will show you how to mix a variety of gray values to capture the likeness of your pet! All you need is a gray scale animal photograph, black and white paint, an accent color for your background and a couple round (or whatever you prefer!) paintbrushes. Learn the basics of mixing paint with this gray seven step value scale: … Continue reading Gray Scale Pet Portrait
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Two Point Perspective | Drawing & Shading Exercise
Learn how to draw using 2-D perspective and how to shade planes to create a 3-D looking drawing. This is an essential drawing skill for artists on any level and is really easy to learn. Once you’ve mastered drawing one box, all you do is repeat your steps. Download the PDF! Continue reading Two Point Perspective | Drawing & Shading Exercise
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Blackout Poetry
Download the PDF! This easy art tutorial will show you how to transform an old book page (or anything you have with text on it if you can’t imagine ripping up a book) into a fusion of visual art and poetry. This is a great way to integrate writing and visual art and the results are always stunning. Continue reading Blackout Poetry
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3 Artworks You Can Create With Homemade Air Dry Clay
Download the PDF! Homemade Clay Recipe: Make your own air dry using three ingredients you already have in your kitchen! I have created several of my favorite clay lessons out of this clay and it is perfect if you are stuck at home without your art supplies. -Baking Soda 2 cups -Cornstarch 1 cup -Water 1 1/4 cups Clay Mask This is one of my … Continue reading 3 Artworks You Can Create With Homemade Air Dry Clay
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Homemade Air Dry Clay Mask
This is one of my favorite clay lessons adapted to be done at home with homemade modeling clay or whatever clay you have on hand. I will show you how to sculpt facial features to show expression and mood. You can decorate air dry clay with almost anything! I will show you how to use Crayola markers on air dry clay to create a watercolor … Continue reading Homemade Air Dry Clay Mask
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Collab Drawing Game | Distance Lesson Lesson
This collaborative drawing game ends up with hilarious results that are just as crazy as the name Exquisite Corpse. Exquisite Corpse is a drawing game invented by Surrealist artists to collaborate and create spontaneous images as a group of artists. This game was also a favorite of artist Frida Kahlo which is all I need to know to love it. You can do this in … Continue reading Collab Drawing Game | Distance Lesson Lesson
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Contour Drawing | Distance Learning Lesson
Learn how to do three different kinds of contour drawing: blind contour, modified contour and contour drawing. This technique is a MUST for artists of all levels and abilities! Enhance your sketchbook pages with lots of practice and elevate a contour drawing by doing it on top of marbled paper or watercolor drip paper. Download the PDF to share with your students, family or to … Continue reading Contour Drawing | Distance Learning Lesson
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Eye Self-Portrait Easy Distance Learning Lesson
This Eye Self-Portrait Easy Distance Learning Lesson has been a huge hit inside and outside of my classroom! Help your students learn how to express themselves with this guided eye drawing tutorial. Students start with drawing a basic eye with shading and then branch out with self-portrait symbols that describe who they are. You can keep this simple and stick to just pencil shading, or … Continue reading Eye Self-Portrait Easy Distance Learning Lesson
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4 Artworks You Can Do At Home
We all have a little extra time on our hands. Try these four artworks at home to embrace your creativity during these uncertain weeks. All you need are colored pencils, watercolor paint, a pen or pencil and a glue stick. <3 1. Colored Pencil Plant Drawing Learn how to use basic colored pencils to shade and blend a zoomed in succulent plant so that it … Continue reading 4 Artworks You Can Do At Home
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6 Artworks You Can Do With Just a Pencil
Download the PDF 🙂 We are living in unprecedented times. I have felt so many emotions since school in Oklahoma was canceled for the year and Covid 19 has taken over our daily conversations. I have had many moments of anxiety and fear, but I have also felt an overwhelming sense of community and creativity. We are all having to approach the world with a … Continue reading 6 Artworks You Can Do With Just a Pencil
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Everything You Need to Know About Firing a Kiln
Firing a kiln can be an exciting and terrifying experience. The vision of fire truck sirens and billowy smoke is enough to keep you awake at night. Will I burn down the school? Will one hundred student artworks explode into smithereens? Why did they not teach me how to do this in my college ceramics class!? This post is a compilation of my advice and …
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Textured Tiles | Clay Lesson Plan
Clay can be the best and worst thing to happen in an art room. It can be a magical and intense experience for both the students and the art teacher. Once students get over the messy aspect of clay, they are completely mesmerized by the tactile and time consuming process. The illusive kiln, the obsessive smoothing, the endless need to score and slip…. I LOVE … Continue reading Textured Tiles | Clay Lesson Plan
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Face Jug Lesson Plan | Pottery & American History
One of my favorite artworks of all time was taught to me by my 7th grade art teacher, Mr. Lenzo. We created face jugs using clay, drip glazes and even added marbles to the eyes for an amazing effect that my 12 year old self had never seen. It was clear that ceramics was his area of expertise. I don’t remember a lot about middle … Continue reading Face Jug Lesson Plan | Pottery & American History
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Tree of Life Acrylic Painting Lesson Plan
TESTING SEASON. One of the most dreaded words in a teacher’s vocabulary. Testing completely throws off any routine or schedule we’ve worked hard all year to maintain! For my school, we completely flip-flop schedules and have SILENT transitions and SILENT lunches. Silent is not in a 10-12 year old’s vocabulary. During test seasons, I try to teach a lesson that is so interesting and engaging …
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How to Draw a Realistic Eye | Easy Art Tutorial
Learn how to draw a realistic eye with shading using this full guided tutorial! Continue reading How to Draw a Realistic Eye | Easy Art Tutorial
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Jazz Collage and Printmaking: Cross Curricular Art Unit
This cross curricular unit started with a question: How can I incorporate printmaking in my art class without a printing press and without the budget to buy linoleum or carving tools? Printmaking has always been my weak area in my teaching game. I’ve always felt like it’s a lot of extra work for unpredictable results. Forgive me, printmakers!!!! As an artist, I prefer to draw … Continue reading Jazz Collage and Printmaking: Cross Curricular Art Unit
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Pottery Tutorial: Handbuilding Basics
This video tutorial will teach you how to make a pinch pot, coil building and how to score and slip your clay. Perfect for artists learning a new medium or in the classroom. Click the link to learn everything you need to know about the basics of handbuilding! Don’t let not having a kiln stop you! I went from running my school’s ceramics program to … Continue reading Pottery Tutorial: Handbuilding Basics
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Eye Self-Portrait Lesson Plan
I love the rhythm of a school schedule. Looking at a calendar and seeing my year broken into chunks of work and rest give me a sense of clarity. That being said, nothing is more real than the anxiety and panic of a Sunday night after a long break. (Or any Sunday night?). Did I set my alarm correctly? Did I print my new rosters? … Continue reading Eye Self-Portrait Lesson Plan
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Expressive Masks: Picasso & African Mask Lesson Plan
Every new art teacher can relate to the first moment they walk into their inherited art room. What did the former teacher leave behind? What supplies will be found in the Narnia of the art education world: THE SUPPLY CLOSET?! Maybe the previous teacher was a hoarder (guilty). Or a type A super organizer (not guilty). Or maybe you are the lucky teacher who gets … Continue reading Expressive Masks: Picasso & African Mask Lesson Plan
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