Project # 2 Principles and Elements of Art

In this project, we were to shoot a minimum of 12 digital photographs to explore the elements (lines, shapes, textrue, space, value, color) and the principles (balance, rhythm/movement, contrast, unity/variety, emphasis, pattern/repetition) of art. I enjoyed this project as it took me outdoors and taught me how to look for the elements and principles of art in the world around me.

Value


Value is the lightness or darkness of a hue. I chose this photo because of it is an excellent example of value which is illustrated in the colors of the horizon as the sun rises. An extension activity could begin with talking about the values of color in sunrises and sunsets. I could have each student do an original sunset or sunrise on a large piece of paper. I would instruct my students how to make tints and shades of a particular color and encourage them to use them in their paintings. I could also incorporate a science lesson by explaining why we see certain colors of the spectrum on the horizon as the sun rises and sets but not in the sky when the sun is overhead.



Organic Shape

An organic shape is a shape based on natural objects. I

chose this snow banks photo because the snow banks are so uniquely formed--basically each snowbank form is a one-of-a-kind. An extension project I would do with a photo like this one would be to ask my students what organic shapes they may see as they look out of a window. The window could be one in a building or one in a vehicle. We could talk about the differences in man-made shapes versus nature-made shapes and how to tell the difference. The students could pretend that the shape of their paper is the shape of the window and draw or paint what their mind's eye sees as it looks out of that window. A math lesson on shapes could also be incorporated here. We could look for the geometric figures vs. curved lines both of which are incorporporated in the math standards.

Project #1 Footprints

Darcy's Footprints

This project allowed me to use many different mediums to express the "uniqueness" of myself. It allowed me to feel like a "kid" again as I haven't taken the opportunity to complete an art project in years. It was fun to cut out paper dolls and pictures from magazines. I was also able to play with fabric, wood, construction paper, chalk, ribbon, and even grass! If I were to explain this project to another educator I would tell them that I had a great idea on how to get to know your students at the same time that they get to know one another. I would tell them to have their students draw the outline of their foot or feet. Next students could use as many different materials and elements that they wanted to choose with a minimum of three. I would encourage them to make a separate list of things about themselves that they would tell someone who didn't know them. They could then use this list to choose the item and medium to decorate their footprint. Upon completion, each student could take a turn explaining their decorated footprint(s). This activity is a great way to introduce giving a presentation in front of a group. The material is simple and is familiar which elevates the comfort zone for someone new to speaking in front of others. An extension activity that might follow this is to explain the characteristics you chose to put on the footprint on a 1-2 page paper; or, a student could pick one characteristic (a favorite) and write a paragraph about it. Both of these writings could be incorporated as Language Arts lessons.