Oil Pastel Landscapes

Landscapes are one of our major areas of focus in 7th grade, especially when we take a more abstract approach when creating them. 

 

After practicing a variety of landscapes (mountain-scape, seascape, desert-scape) we create are own version on black construction paper. The concept of atmospheric perspective is used to help define space without using linear perspective. This quarter, we used both oil pastel and chalk pastel and the results were dramatic. Before the pastel goes on, we outline our landscape drawings with glue to create a fluid and bold outline.

This project was based off a popular method we've used here.

Amate Bark 3D Paintings

We began this lesson by sketching three different types of traditional landscapes: a mountain-scape, a seascape and a desert-scape. We focused on creating three distinct areas by showing the foreground, middle ground and background. By making sure our landscape details progressively got smaller as they went back into space, we created depth and perspective. The idea of how artists show atmospheric perspective was discussed at length as well.

Once we had a good understanding of how to create a realistic landscape, we decided to switch it up a bit and use unrealistic, florescent color. By using a dull background like our gray bogus paper, the colors pop off the page. Outlining in black Sharpie also adds to the 3D effect, especially when viewed through 3D glasses.

Watercolor Landscape Collages

Watercolor paint is one of our favorite mediums at BMS. No matter how often we use it in class, students are intrigued by the endless possibilities.

I usually start of our watercolor introduction with a series of stations so students can explore the options. Wet-in-wet, wash, dry brush, rubbing alcohol, salt, scraping and blotting are some of the old standbys that I teach often. This quarter we looked at some other ideas like plastic wrap, crystallizing (using Epsom salts) and rice absorbing. The results were fabulous!

Plastic wrap technique...

Dry brush and plastic wrap techniques...

Wet-in-wet and rubbing alcohol techniques...

Oil technique...

***Be watching for a handout on all of these techniques in the next month on theartofed.com

Once we had a good understanding of all the possibilities that watercolor can create, we started to paint strips of paper to represent textured parts of a landscape (the strips were torn before we started).  Most students painted between 7-8 strips of paper to use within their landscape and combined it with colored construction paper to complete the finished work. 

Glue and Pastel Landscapes

Landscapes are one of our favorite projects in 7th grade, especially when we use take a more abstract approach when creating them. 

This project was based off a popular method we've used here. However, this time we used both oil pastel and chalk pastel and the results were dramatic. Before the pastel goes on, we outline our landscape drawings with glue to create a fluid and bold outline. The glue dries black (since we use black construction paper) and very bold.

A couple of students discovered a new method of striping the oil pastel and then pulling the pastel down to create chevron like pattern.

(Mini) Zentangle Landscapes

With all the "freeze" days last week, our Zentangle Landscapes became smaller to adjust for the time loss. The small composition has created very intricate pattern and incredible detail. I think we'll continue with the reduced size in future years! 

Wow! 3D Amate paintings are looking good!

Today, we wrapped up the last bits of painting and outlining on our Amate bark painting. Using simple color theory of cool colors receding and warm colors advancing we were able to achieve a 3D effect with our "prism" glasses. Too bad the 3D effect doesn't work online!

Amate bark painting in 7th grade

Here is the start of our first painting project in 7th grade. Our inspiration comes from the Amate bark paintings of Mexico. These artworks combine vibrant colors with detailed black outlining on a pounded fig-bark background. Check out this youtube video showing the process of an Amate artwork.

We began this lesson by sketching three different types of traditional landscapes: a mountain-scape, a seascape and a desert-scape (see slides posted below). We focused on creating three distinct areas by showing the foreground, middle ground and background. By making sure our landscape details progressively got smaller as they went back into space, we created depth and perspective.

Once we had a good understanding of how to create a realistic landscape, we decided to switch it up a bit! Instead of creating depth, we "stacked" our images to create a layered look and added a continuous winding road to add unity and movement to our work. These paintings will also use color theory to appear three-dimensional when viewed through 3D glasses.

Check back soon to see the finished paintings!