My second graders just finished learning about the bold urban art of artist Keith Haring. We studied the artist's use of form, composition, line and color in his work, and students were inspired by the exciting results that he achieved!
Students then posed their hearts out and we used those pictures to create body outlines that were transferred onto final paper in dynamic and interesting compositions. Students selected a color to paint around their bodies and filled in the negative space around their figures. We then learned about how contrast is used in art to create interest and students selected a contrasting color to use to paint the space inside their bodies.
After a little painting and layering, students were ready for a big lesson on pattern. We defined pattern and discussed how things like shape, line, size, color and imagery can be repeated to create it. By brainstorming as a class, we were able to push our ideas about pattern and learn how pattern can be used randomly, linearly and non-linearly. We found patterns in the art room, in what we were wearing and all around us! Students then worked collaboratively to create a variety of large scale patterns as a table. I was so impressed by all the different shapes and imagery that students thought of and combined to create pattern. I saw students creating number patterns, personal patterns, friendship patterns and even patterns that conveyed special messages!
We put all this great brainstorming to work as we outlined the figures in our artwork with oil pastel and filled in our bodies and backgrounds with pattern. This step really transformed these pieces to truly personal and expressive pieced of artwork.
There were some really challenging steps in this project but students rose to the occasion and were really proud of their finished pieces!
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