Wednesday 31 August 2011

Great Barrier Reef Paintings

 
By Tim, (Year 3), 2011

Lesson Background:
As a part of our unit of work on Australian geography, icons and landmarks, I decided my class would enjoy producing some paintings of the Great Barrier Reef.  They loved seeing photos of the brightly coloured fish and coral and tried to recreate this in their artworks.  I think they did very well!  We used the stunning artwork by Des Spencer (see below) as well as lots of photographs, for inspiration:
http://www.great-barrier-reef-holiday.com.au/great-barrier-reef-holiday-facts.aspx


Lesson Steps:

1)  We looked at the artwork above and at lots of photos of the Great Barrier Reef.  We observed the different shapes, colours and textures of different fish and coral.
2)  The students used the artwork above to help them draw a large fish in the middle of their A3 art paper.  I demonstrated how to do this first.  They were then encouraged to modify their fish by changing the fins, tail, patterns etc, in order to make it unique.
3)  Using photos as a guide, myself and a number of my clever and keen students, drew samples of different fish and coral on the board.  Students watched this modelling and then drew their own coral and fish onto their artwork, also adding in the ocean floor.
4)  I demonstrated to the students how to mix acrylic paint, keep the paint clean and how to outline shapes before filling them in.
5)  I also demonstrated how to use light, shade and varied textures on their fish and coral.  Some of my students had a great go at this tricky technique!
6)  Students painted their artworks and when dry, outlined their shapes in black permanent markers.

Year 3 Student Artworks:


By Andrew


By Kundai

By Ethan


By Ailec

By Denzelle


By Keyan


By Angus

By Tom

By Jia

By Shaun
  
By Liam

3B class artworks
 

Sturt Desert Pea Drawings


By Kaya, (Year 3) 2011
    
Tom, (Year 3), 2011

 Lesson Background:
We had been studying Australian states and territories and their different emblems and icons.  To tie in with these lessons, my teaching colleague Emma Vince came up with the fabulous idea to create some Sturt Desert Pea drawings in the style of Australian artist, Margaret Preston.  We used Preston's artworks and the beautiful artwork below for inspiration.
 Lesson Steps:
1)  We studied the floral emblems of Australian states and territories and looked at photos of each.
2)  We oberved and discussed the features of Margaret Preston's artworks.
3)  Using the artwork by Lyn Weir above, we drew some sturt desert pea flowers.  I modelled how to draw each different stem, leaf and flower and then asked the children to do their own, adding or changing bits to make it individual.
4)  Once the picture was drawn, the students used coloured progresso pencils to colour it in and put a border around the edge in the style of a timber frame.

Year 3 Artworks:


By Kundai
 
By Olivia


By Andrea

Some of 3B's beautiful Sturt Desert Pea artworks

and a few more...