Art Projects to Teach Elementary Students About Artists
It's never too early to teach children about art history and famous artists. Use simple lessons that will engage students on their level to teach them about the major figures of art history. Interest students by having them complete art projects that relate to the artist you're currently studying and use their already developed art skills.
Other People Are Reading
-
Sistine Chapel Desk Drawings
-
Teach students about Michelangelo's work on the famous Sistine Chapel by having them draw like the famous artist did, using their desks! First, familiarize students with the Sistine Chapel by showing pictures of the various portions, then explain how Michelangelo painted the ceiling by laying on scaffolding. Tape paper to the underside of students' desks, and have them make their own drawings (paint is too messy upside down for elementary-age students) of various biblical scenes.
Oh My Gosh, It's a Bosch!
-
Introduce students to the work of Hieronymus Bosch by having them make their own Bosch-inspired drawings. Show images of Bosch's work and explain to students that Bosch showed the extremes of human nature, both good and evil, in his paintings. Give each student a piece of paper, and have them fold it in half. Then, have them a draw squiggly line down one side of the paper, mirroring it on the other side. Tell students to use that line to create a horrifying face in profile on both sides, then draw a beautiful face in the middle to demonstrate both good and evil.
-
Abstract Flowers
-
Georgia O'Keefe is an excellent artist for elementary school students, as her bright, colorful flower drawings are engaging to look at and study. Show images of O'Keefe's work to inspire students before beginning this project. Give students large sheets of white paper and art supplies, and have them draw a small flower in the center of the paper. Then, ask students to trace the outline of the flower in another color to make it larger, and continue doing so until they've filled the paper with a big bright flower like O'Keefe's.
Monet's Garden
-
Show students images of Claude Monet's famous painting, Garden at Sainte-Adresse. Point out to students how Monet uses the foreground, middle ground and background of the garden to establish depth. Have students create their own garden drawing in perspective by asking them to lightly draw two lines horizontally to divide the paper into three sections. Then, have students fill in a garden scene, including some of the elements of "Garden at Sainte-Adress, such as people, trees and flowers.
-
References
- Photo Credit painting image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
