Monochromatic Portraits

These mini portraits are being created by 3rd and 4th graders.

Eventually I plan on installed these in big rainbow hallway display.

Monochromatic Moonscape Paintings by 4th Grade

Well, I wanted to do this project earlier in the year and boy let me tell you I'm so glad I did because I got observed during my introduction to this project. This painting encompasses soooo many different disciplines...the lesson plan looks great on paper to principals!

Day One: Intro

We write in our idea book the term Monochromatic Moonscape...then we break it down...

they create a value scale with their thumbprint and a marker. Then we watch a Brain Pop video on the phases of the moon....SCIENCE! 

https://www.brainpop.com/search/search.weml?keyword=moon

Then they draw the moon on their 9 x 18 white drawing paper. We create echo rings around the moon and paint a different value inside with blue, red or purple mixed with white. 

They mix their tints to get light around the moon. 

Day Two: We talk about the history of silhouettes and practice drawing trees. Their requirement is to paint at least one tree and another object of their choice with solid black. I encourage a tree with no leaves so they will get into some nice line work with the branches.

I love how a little bit of blue snuck into these purple paintings. 

Tada!

Monochromatic Moonscapes - 4th Grade

Day One: Painting the background showing a gradual value change.

 

Day Two: Adding Silhouettes

 

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They add one tree and one object of their choice. If they have extra time after this, they can add more items...the Klimt style trees this year look really good!

 

A Rainbow of Faces

Monochromatic Self-Portraits!

For our first project, I've decided to test the waters and do a pre-assessment project with a self-portrait drawing. Each student 1st - 4th grade is 'showing me what they know' by drawing their self-portrait. This has been a great first mini-project for sprucing up the empty hallways...especially for open house tomorrow night!

Basically, they draw in pencil first, choose ONE color for their face, outline with a marker and then fill in the white space with a crayon. We discussed how different values can be achieved with the crayons using soft or hard pressure for lights and darks. And, for most classes we've learned what 'monochromatic' means.

Enjoy our Rainbow of Faces!