FOURTH GRADE . . . Is it real or is it Photoshopped?

Fourth graders are discovering the magic of modern technology in their general art class. With our self portrait project, we are going to explore how art can be expressed using software on the computer. The art of Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is the inspiration for our digital transformations. Andy Warhol saw dramatic changes in the 20th century with factories mass producing products such as Campbell's soup and Coca Cola, and television and movies flashing a constant stream of celebrities, athletes and politicians into our daily lives. His artwork reflected the pop culture of America and he quickly became as famous as the well known people and products he portrayed. Towards the end of his career, he began to see the implication of a digital platform as a creative tool. Imagine what he could have done using the art of Adobe Photoshop!

Adobe Photoshop is a wonderful retouching tool for graphic artists as well as anyone who owns a digital camera or cell phone. Most of us know how to upload photos to a computer and use them in different applications. Therefore, we should also know how to correct a photo, change its size or alter the color. With Photoshop, fourth graders will learn how to do all of that, as well as discover how to change a digital image into a creative and original work of art.

With new advances in technology there is always a moment we have to step back and review what impact this new technology will make in our lives. When I was younger, cameras used film to record images. Unless you were very skilled at darkroom techniques, the image was printed just as it was captured by the camera lens. The best we could do at the time was use a pair of scissors to crop the photo. Now with software such as Adobe Photoshop, photos can be altered and you would never realize a change was made. Photographs can no longer be assumed to reflect real life.

Here is a video by Dove Beauty that I shared with my classes this week. The video really highlights the significance of Photoshop and the impact it has on our perception of beauty and reality.

THIRD GRADE . . . Drawing a figure in motion

To prepare for our new "full length" self-portrait project, we practiced drawing a full figure. The wooden artist's model is a perfect way for us to learn how to draw a human figure in proportion. It also shows us where the body can move. Each joint is represented by a wooden ball in the model.

Students began by drawing a sketch of the wooden model, posing their drawing of a figure in any way they wanted. We started with an oval for the head and added a circle underneath for the neck. Each part of the body was added on just this way, a shape for the body part followed by a circle for the place it can move. We were careful to make the length and width of each body part in proportion to the size of the head that we started with. Learning to draw a figure this way reminds us of where the body can move without it looking awkward in our sketches. For example, the arm can move only at the shoulder, elbow or wrist. If we tried to bend it anywhere else, we would be breaking a bone!

Shading each part of the body also gave our figures dimension and form. Here are a few examples of our figures in motion. You can see all of our sketches by following this link to artsonia.com.   http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839

Sketch by Kieran

Sketch by Desmond

Sketch by Cailtyn

Sketch by Ava G.

KINDERGARTEN . . . We are artists in a museum!

This week, Kindergarten students completed their self-portraits for the cover of their books, "All About Me!" We practiced drawing circles and then drew a portrait that best represents ourselves. Next week we will begin the illustrations for the inside pages of our books. Drawing our favorite animals, our favorite foods, and pictures of our best friends is a wonderful way to get to know each other in art!

WE ARE ARTISTS IN A MUSEUM!
When Lower School artists finish their projects, as the Kindergartners did with their self-portraits, I photograph everyone's work and upload the images to Artsonia.com, an online art museum for children. Artsonia brings together the artwork of students from many different countries to celebrate creativity in the classroom. All students at Ranney School are automatically a member of this international museum and will be building their own personal portfolios. Families are encouraged to browse the museum and view school exhibitions and student artwork. Students develop a sense of pride as their work becomes published on the site and is viewed by friends and family.

I will be sending home a slip from Artsonia with your child's special registration name and a pass code so that families can register to the site. I look forward to filling these online portfolios with beautiful work all year long!

Here are a few examples of Kindergarten portraits I just uploaded to Artsonia. Check out the Ranney School homepage on Artsonia.com to see everyone's work. http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839

Artwork by Claire

Artwork by Elijah

Artwork by Karina

Artwork by Jack

Note to families...
This art blog will be updated regularly with new posts sharing our daily activities in the art room and news about upcoming art exhibits. To respect the privacy of our students, names will always be limited to first name only and identifiable photos will never be accompanied with a name. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write in the comment box below or send me an email at blevine@ranneyschool.org. I would love to hear from you!
    In my class, students are given the chance to explore different materials and fun new techniques as they develop their signature style. Some young artists love to draw with a pencil, some like to paint on canvas or create images in a digital format, while others prefer working with clay and molding three-dimensional forms. In my classroom, we use a variety of materials allowing all artists to experiment and figure out which type of art they like the best. At Ranney School, we place a strong emphasis on originality and celebrate artistic differences, always nurturing and encouraging the imagination of every student.
     Remember to check out our display of finished artwork and student portfolios in the Ranney home page of Artsonia.com.  http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839

JUST MAKE A MARK AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU...

In the inspiring tale, "The Dot," by Peter H. Reynolds, a young art student, Vashti, is afraid to draw on paper because she thinks she is not a good artist. Her teacher suggests that she just make a mark and see where it takes her. This journey of how Vashti discovered her creativity with just a simple dot inspired us to fill Panther Hall gallery with our own unique dots!

Here is a video of "The Dot" . . .



In celebration of this book and the encouraging message it brings to art students, schools all around the world join together in recognition of International Dot Day, September 15th! At our school, students worked together to create dots based on different styles of artwork.

Beginners, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten artists were were given paper, their favorite colors and a very big brush. We learned how to put on our big blue denim smocks and how to apply paint to paper. We also discovered what happens when we blend different colors together. These painted papers became the circles of our very own "Very Hungry Caterpillar," just like in Eric Carle's illustrations.

First grade artists drew a scene or a design on a square paper, filling all the areas of the paper with soft colors. A circle was then cut out of the center of the square to show the difference between a positive and negative shape.

Second grade artists collaborated to make their project. They each created a random design with bright colors of markers. Their circles were then cut apart into quarter sections and new circles were created out of four different artists' work. How much fun it is for each artist to find their contribution to the new compositions!

Third graders artists learned about the whimsical artwork of Wassily Kandinsky. This Russian artist was very much inspired by the sound and rhythm of music. His famous painting of concentric circles inspired us to create rings of painted colors inside our dots. We experimented with color and patterns and saw how some colors seem to sing out brightly next to other colors.

Fourth grade artists were introduced to abstract artist, Piet Mondrian. Using a white circle for their dot designs, they filled the the circle with a straight, Mondrian-like grid. Students used their design skills with this project, deciding how to turn a simple grid into more of an abstract composition.

Fifth grade artists looked at the assemblages of American artist, Louise Nevelson. She is best known for her large, monotone sculptures. Our dots started as a cardboard circular disc and we glued down all kinds of found objects in wood, foam, paper and metal. These collage discs were then spray painted white to give them the look of Louise Nevelson's work.

Unlike most of our Ranney School art shows, the work on the walls of the gallery for this exhibit is anonymous. (Names are on the back and all art will return home as always!) As we begin our year in art and we are getting to know our new friends, this story by Peter H. Reynolds encourages us to just make a mark and see where it takes us. Our dots represent our working together in unity and support of each other.

LOWER SCHOOL ART OPENING!

September means a new box of crayons...

There is nothing more exciting to an artist than brand new crayons, sharpened pencils, and a palette filled with bright colors of paint. The art room (rm 205) is upstairs in the Early Childhood Education Center alongside the music room and World Languages. Our special subject hallway is a fun and cheerful place to visit during the Ranney School day.

Welcome to my art room blog!
This blog is our online conversation where you can see highlights of student artwork, videos featuring our young artists, and be updated with news from the art room all year long! You can follow my blog through the email link to the right. I will also send out messages whenever your young artist is honored and celebrated this way. For privacy in the online community, please know that I will not use last names to identify anyone's artwork, and as well, first names will never accompany a recognizable photo. For any questions regarding my use of photography and video in this blog, you are always welcome to stop by the art room or reach out to me at blevine@ranneyschool.org.

As we begin our creative journey this year, students will be given the chance to explore different materials and fun new techniques as they develop their signature style. Some young artists love to draw with a pencil, some like to paint on canvas or create images in a digital format, while others prefer working with clay and molding three-dimensional forms. In my classroom, we use a variety of materials allowing all artists to experiment and figure out which type of art they like the best. At Ranney School, we place a strong emphasis on originality and celebrate artistic differences, always nurturing and encouraging the imagination of every student.

You may also notice that many of our projects are based on the work of a famous artist or illustrator, and that we often look beyond our classroom walls to other cultures for inspiration. Together, we will see how the style of other artists can influence our own creative efforts as well as help us realize and represent our place in the rich world of art history.


Getting ready for the new year

All lower school students, Beginners through 5th grade, should bring in an artist portfolio. If you have one from last year, you are welcome to use it again. Place a new label on the front with the student name and new homeroom teacher. I prefer to have these thin cardboard portfolios for storage in my room, frequently found as a red cardboard portfolio with plastic or woven handles. 17" x 22" or a little larger is perfect. Please do not bring in a very large or a thick leather case. It is only for storage in my room and I will not have the space to hold extra large cases. I look forward to filling these portfolios with wonderful artwork all year long!

5th grade art students should also bring in a sketchpad each week on art days. We will talk about the size and style of sketchpads during our first class. Otherwise, all materials you need for art, including artist's smocks, are already in my room. Come ready to have fun!

FIFTH GRADE . . . Crossing the Lawn!

Join us in celebration of the class of 2022 as they get ready to cross the lawn in to Middle School art!

Our wall of art in Panther Hall gallery highlights their final painting project for 5th grade and their thoughts on what creativity means to them. Enjoy!

KINDERGARTEN . . . We are published authors and illustrators!

Ranney School is filled with Kindergarten Monsters . . . Monsters painting pictures! Monsters playing a musical instrument! Monsters reading a book!

Our Kindergarten artists drew pictures of what they might do if they brought a monster to school. As we learned all year, art should tell a story. Along with their pictures, we recorded everyone's voice telling the story of their monster at school.

To share our work with EVERYONE, our stories were published as an original and interactive audio book, available in the iTunes bookstore as a free download into any apple device, such as an iPad, an iPhone, an iPod touch or a Mac computer.

To download the book follow these simple steps:
1. Add the iBooks app to your iPad or other apple device. (It is a free app). iBooks allows you to view our book as interactive audio book with swiping pages and sound.
2. Either click on the link below to access the book, or it can be searched directly through the iTunes bookstore on your iPad by simply typing in: Monsters at Ranney School. Our book is listed under the category of education and is a free download.
3. Once the book downloads, open it in your iBooks app. Press the sound key on each page to hear everyone's story!
Enjoy!!

Monsters at Ranney School Levine, Barbara Category: Education

FOURTH GRADE . . . Painting like Georgia O'Keeffe

"If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment." - Georgia O'Keeffe

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way . . . things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keeffe

Fourth graders paused in their busy schedules at school to admire the beautiful work of Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986), an American artist, best known for her studies of nature. She often zoomed in on her subjects, getting us all to slow down and notice the beauty she captured in the world around her. She did not paint an entire field of flowers, but instead focused on the shapes and colors of just one blossom.

As well as inspiring us to admire the details in a single flower, a sea shell, or even an animal skull, Georgia O'Keeffe was a master of color and blending. To follow her lessons, we each chose a photograph of something from nature and drew the image very large on our canvases. Then, we selected our color palette, considering carefully how to create the best blends.

To make two colors blend together, we referred to the color wheel. Colors that are near each other on the wheel will make the most natural blends. Adding white will create a tint of the color and adding darker hues will create a shade of the color. Any of these choices would work well. To blend the colors directly on the canvas, we worked in one area at a time, letting our paintbrushes do the blending. For a flower with many petals, that meant applying the colors and blending them together, one petal at a time.

Not only were these fourth grade nature paintings the highlight of our art show, I am so proud for them to grace the screen of my art blog. Bravo to all my artists! A special recognition goes out to Nick B. who broke his arm just at the start of this project, and even with his injury created the most amazing blend of colors all around his animal skull!

Here is a small sample of what we created. To see everyone's paintings, follow this link to our home page on artsonia.com. http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839

Painting by Alden R.

Painting by Emilia R.

Painting by Nick B.

Painting by Michael G.

And one final quote that I certainly can relate to...

"Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since I can't sing, I paint." - Georgia O'Keeffe

THIRD GRADE . . . Go figure! Drawing the human figure in motion.

Sketch by Garielle

The wooden artist's model is a perfect way for us to learn how to draw a human figure in proportion. It also shows us where the body can move. Each joint is represented by a wooden ball in the model.

Third graders drew a sketch of the wooden model and posed their figure in any way they wanted. We started with an oval for the head and added a circle underneath for the neck. Each part of the body was added on just this way, a shape for the body part followed by a wooden ball for the place it can move. We were careful to make the length and width of each shape in proportion to the size of the head that we started with. Learning to draw a figure this way reminds us of where the body can move without it looking awkward in our sketches. For example, the arm can move only at the shoulder, elbow or wrist. If we tried to bend it anywhere else, we would be breaking a bone!

To make our drawings look just like the wooden artist's model, we added on the pole and the stand. Shading each part of the body also gave our figures dimension and form. Here are a few examples of our figures in motion. You can see all of our sketches by following this link to artsonia.com and scrolling down through the exhibits for third grade.   http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839

Sketch by Araiya

Sketch by Eli

Sketch by Shaya

Sketch by Jason

Note to families . . .
    This art blog will be updated regularly with new posts sharing our daily activities in the art room and news about upcoming art exhibits. To respect the privacy of our students, names will always be limited to first name only and identifiable photos will never be accompanied with a name. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write in the comment box below or send me an email at blevine@ranneyschool.org. I would love to hear from you!
    In my class, students are given the chance to explore different materials and fun new techniques as they develop their signature style. Some young artists love to draw with a pencil, some like to paint on canvas or create images in a digital format, while others prefer working with clay and molding three-dimensional forms. In my classroom, we use a variety of materials allowing all artists to experiment and figure out which type of art they like the best. At Ranney School, we place a strong emphasis on originality and celebrate artistic differences, always nurturing and encouraging the imagination of every student.
     Remember to check out our display of finished artwork and student portfolios in the Ranney home page of Artsonia.com.  http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=114839