Art Exhibition Video

Here's a highlight video from the Art Exhibition in April:

3D Printing

Grade 4 has recently developed their understanding of the differences between 2D shapes & 3D forms:

Shapes to Forms: How-to Drawing Video

They have learned how to properly draw and shade forms according to the position of a light source and even include a shadow to make their forms look realistic and appear 3D.  You probably noticed some of their excellent optical illusions in the exhibition:

Seo Hyun created an excellent page in her sketchbook at home practicing the techniques and capturing the key elements of shading forms:

While drawing 3D forms with pencil and paper is quite the challenge and task in and of itself, grade 4 students tried out some digital tools as well.  Using Sumopaint (a free, online program similar to photoshop), students learned how to apply the gradient tool to create an instant "shaded" effect and how to use shape tools and layers to create digital images and illusions. Though it takes some time to get familiar with the digital tools and techniques, often technology can help speed up some art processes.

3D printing is a breakthrough development that can really transform the art making process. With 3D printing machines, you can now actually (literally) draw in 3D! 3D pens make it possible to draw sculptures- how amazing is that?! Though is it not the speediest when compared to normal printers (a 3D figure can take hours to print), the results formed are often efficient, reliable and quick (relative to the task).  3D printing has been around for about a decade but the friendliness and purpose in society is still being developed.  ASB has several 3D printers (primarily located in the maker spaces on each campus) as well as a 3D pen in the research and development department- exploring possibilities.  Here are a few videos to introduce you to 3D printing and it's various uses...

How Does 3D Printing Work?



Giant 3D Printer builds 10 houses in 1 Day! 

LIX-The smallest 3D Pen in the world (a current kickstarter project though many models exist)

What would you make with a 3D printer? What would you draw with a 3D pen? These technologies could solve global issues in shelter and housing or even food distribution.  Possibilities are endless, dream on ASB artists :) 

Art Exhibition is Coming!

Link to Photo Slideshow running during the exhibition (13 min of photos!):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2guXxnkj28

Background Music :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPf1W5LfsEk 

Grade 4 PBL Fair

This morning the grade 4 students presented their learning with an authentic audience of parents, teachers and community members. They have recently completed a Project-Based Learning Unit that challenged students to create a useful carry-on product that would be convenient for airline travel using recycled objects and materials.

  

Guests were encouraged to offer honest and thoughtful feedback to the students to enhance their prototypes.  Chris Grazel (ASB Parent and Go Air VP ) offered insights and feedback as an expert in the airline industry. It was a great celebration of the learning process for grade four- Thanks to everyone who came to support our students! 

Check out highlights of this mornings fair:

I'll post more photos in the next week. Great job Grade 4! 

Kid President- How to be an Inventor!

I really enjoy the messages Kid President shares in his creative and usually funny videos.  This message is especially cool to hear considering the current work our grade 4 students are completing on their PBL Something from Nothing Recycled Art Unit. They have been inventing and creating products that would be useful for air travel. This Friday will be the big fair to share their learning- the ups and downs- with an audience of parents, teachers, and experts... More to come on fair follow up. But for now, enjoy this fun video from Kid President and imagine all of the ways you can do these things every day as an artist!

A peak inside our busy art room

What we've been up to this week...

Grade 1: painting to music

Grade 2: exploring styles of influential artists

Grade 3: how cultures have used art as expression through time

Grade 4: collaborative project-based recycled art unit

Grade 5: linoleum printmaking

Creative line quality

Grade four just finished a unit exploring expressive lines. They added line quality to their drawings by using descriptive, unique lines to draw scenes inspired by their study and visit to mangrove biomes.  An added challenge of creating the entire drawing with one continuous line added a creative effect to the artwork. Look for these pieces to on display in the ES soon!

Line Quality + Mangrove Forests

Grade 4 visited a mangrove forest last week in part of their unit on understanding biomes as we learn to share our planet.  They are currently learning about characteristics of a mangrove (what they look like, where they grow, how they help us every day).  In art we are currently learning about characteristics of lines (called line quality, how thick or thin a line is, how interesting, creative, or descriptive a line can be!).  We took this opportunity to look for line quality in a new setting and found quite a few interesting ideas that we can use as inspiration for our next drawing project!