Art Studio: Extending the Learning
In Art Studio this trimester, the children have been working and experimenting with 2-D work. We begin each class with a drawing from observation, which serves both as practice and helps us move smoothly into art time.
I’ve already seen improved skill among the students; drawing is all about time put in practicing, and practice observing, really seeing what you’re trying to draw.
Right now we’re doning some print making. We started with simple rubbings, working with leaves, etched metal plates, and more.
One of the great things about co-op is the spill-over into regular homeschooling. Many parents are seeing further exploration: children looking for books at the library on subjects covered in science; more creative writing at home.
If you’d like your child to extend the learning about printmaking, I have some great links for you to share with your child.
The Museum of Modern Art has an interactive Flash activity that’s almost a game and it will really help your child understand the process of making a print, and the differences between some of the various methods of printmaking: lithography, etching, woodcut, screenprint.
This is a quality activity, it works well, and was clearly well thought out by people who know what they’re talking about. There are also sample art works from the collection. Try it out here: www.moma.org.
One of the types of printmaking we’ve done in Art Studio is fish printing! Or, more properly, Gyotaku. For a fabulous artist website with Gyotaku prints, visit here: www.gyotaku.com.