The Tree of Life

A project based on one of my favorite paintings ever! The tree of Life by Gustav Klimt. After giving the students a brief history on the artist we looked at his painting and how he creates branches using swirls. We also looked at all the small details (triangles, squares, flowers). Students started by drawing a tree trunk with large swirling branches then added smaller swirls for smaller branches. Day two, they added some details and colored their trees with warm color pencils. Day three, they covered their paper with warm color tissue papers (torn into smaller pieces) and sprayed the whole thing with water. The dye from the tissue paper bled onto their drawings. After drying overnight, the tissue paper was removed to reveal these master pieces! 

Fall textures

 First and Second Graders drew a tree by using the letter Y and V to make branches. Next, they put leaves underneath their papers for texture and colored on top with fall color crayons.

Before starting these lessons, the students walked with me in a school yard to collect leaves. The following leaves are done by Kindergarteners.

Kindergarten Sunflowers! Students practiced cutting and glueing skills. The seeds were done using acrylic paint and q-tips. 

Warm and cool colors

 Students were given a basic design guideline and instructed to separate warm and cool colors. Some students were very creative in making their design more unique.