Art with Mrs Baker: Russian Architecture

Kindergarten - Year 6 Artworks

Lesson Background:

My school celebrates Harmony Day each year, with an amazing day of activities that allow the children to experience different cultures in a variety of ways. For my activity this year, I taught my group about Russian architecture, and we created these artworks to celebrate how truly gorgeous the architecture in that part of the world can be. Thanks to Deep Space Sparkle for the initial idea: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/shop/line-color-fun/ Please note, I demonstrated each step on my whiteboard as we got to it, before the children had a go.

Lesson Materials (per student):

1 sheet A3 white art paper
1 lead pencil
1 eraser
1 black permanent marker
Coloured oil pastels
A small dollop of gold acrylic paint
1 small, thin paintbrush
A sheet of newspaper to cover the table
A water pots to wash the paintbrush

Lesson Steps:

1. Look at photos of Russian architecture using Google Images, especially the different types of roofs, including the onion dome.
2. Using the lead pencil, and starting from towards the top of the left side of the art paper (landscape position), draw a straight line going across and then straight down, to make 1 rectangular building shape (with the edge of the page being the left side of the building). Then draw more rectangular building shapes of different heights and widths all the way across the page, using the left side of the building as a combined wall with the previous building. Draw buildings behind as well, to make it look more realistic.
3. Draw a different roof type on the top of each building (I used triangle roofs, cone shaped roofs, and onion domes). Rub out any lines that overlap.
4. Outline all the buildings and roofs in black permanent marker.
5. Still using the black permanent marker, draw a range of different patterns inside the buildings and roofs, using a mixture of thin and thick lines, and contrasting sections of white and coloured-in black.
6. Choose 2 or 3 coloured to fill in the sky. The colours should blend well (to do this, choose colours next to each other on the colour wheel, such as yellow-orange-red, or blue-purple-red, or light blue-dark blue)
7. Start with the lightest colour at the bottom near the horizon line. Colour thickly, pressing firmly so there are no white gaps. After a third or a half of the sky is filled (depending on how many colours you are using), swap to the next lightest colour, then the darkest colour. Once the 2 or 3 colours are on the paper and no white gaps are left, pick up the lightest coloured oil pastel and colour over the top of the sky in a downwards motion, blending all the colours together. Students usually need to see this demonstrated. You should end up with a much smoother final effect using this strategy.
8. Choose a few roofs to paint with gold paint. Once dry, reoutline any messy bits with black marker.
9. Trim and back on black backing card.