Inspiration

I thought I’d pass this along for inspiration to anyone who loves art and portraiture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs

500 years of Women in Art
 

 

This week: BIRDS!

Now that the colder weather is here, a lot of my students tell me they have bird feeders in their back yards so what better subject this week than to draw and paint birds. We started by looking at line drawings of birds found in New England then each student chose their favorite one. Using a pencil we created contour drawings. With black paint we went over every line and then added details: feathers, eyes, and beaks. Finally adding color with oil pastels gave our birds their finishing touches and a lot of contrast. Pretty  awesome!

Art History and Artists

Offering art history lessons and an art project inspired by these artists is my favorite way to teach. When I research these time periods and artists and read about the way an artist creates I find it  fascinating,  Going to a museum is an incredible way to learn about art and experience it first hand. We have one of the best art museums in the country at the  Rhode Island School of Design Museum in Providence. Hmmmm....maybe a trip soon? 

The world is but a canvas to the imagination. 

                                                          Henry David Thoreau