How to Make Artist Cards With Elementary Students
Teachers, if you're looking for a fun art project for your elementary school-aged students, consider having them create artist cards, also known as artist trading cards. Artist cards are small, works of art that are meant to be collected and traded, like baseball cards. Artist cards are generally 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches -- the same size as other types of trading cards. Students can use a variety of media -- paint, colored pencils, crayons, magazine clippings, etc. -- in designing their cards. Let their imaginations run wild! Kids will enjoy making and trading their cards.
Things You'll Need
- Card stock, white and/or various colors
- Paint or other media, such as colored pencils, crayons, pastels
- Magazines
- Glue
- Scissors
- Scrapbook paper
- Embellishments, such as buttons, beads, lace, sequins, etc.
Instructions
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Cut the card stock to size. Cut the card stock into 2 1/2- x 3 1/2-inch pieces for your students. These pieces will be the "canvases" upon which the children will create their artworks.
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Pick a theme for the cards. Have your students decide on a theme as a class.
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Create the card background. Instruct your students to create their artist card background first, keeping in mind the chosen theme. The children can draw or paint on their card or use scrapbook paper as their background.
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Choose a focal point. Instruct the children to create a focal point for their card. The focal point will be the key visual element on the card, generally something that's related to the theme. If the class picked an animal theme, for example, a student may want a giraffe to be his or her focal point. The student can draw or paint a giraffe on his or her card or cut a picture of one from a magazine and glue it to the card.
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Embellish the cards. After students have finished creating their focal-point design, let them embellish their cards with buttons, beads, lace, sequins or other items that will add a finishing touch to their cards.
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Sign cards and include identifying information. When the children have finished their cards, have them write their name, the card theme, and the date on the backs of their cards. Then have them sign their cards.
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Trade artist cards. Include time in this activity for the students to mill around the classroom, look at everyone's cards, and trade cards, if they choose to do so.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
