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Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC

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The Elements of Art are the “tools” that artists use to create an artwork. The seven elements are line, shape, form, value, space, colour and texture.

The Principles of Design are the ways the artist uses the Elements in an artwork, how they are arranged, how they are balanced, how they are united. The Principles of Design are balance, contrast, repetition, emphasis and unity.

Technique & Teaching tips:

Walk About:

1. Students go on a walk about the school or the community to look for the Elements and/or Principles of Art. They can take a device on which to take a photo/video or a sketch pad to sketch the elements/principles.

2. Students put together a video/collage/drawing of all the Elements/Principles.

Drawing

1. Students choose an item/image to draw.

2. On art paper, students draw the image/item diagonally sliced/segmented into grids. Each slice/segment has to capture a different element of art (line, shape, form, value, space, colour or texture).

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Colour 1 - Blue hue of sky with pop of red tree & white clouds

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Colour 1 - Blue hue of sky with pop of red tree & white clouds

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Value - clouds - varying heights - tints & shades

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Value - clouds - varying heights - tints & shades

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The Life Map activity is a good introductory activity to do with a class/group at the start of the year/term/semester when establishing community.

This activity was taken from the book "Tribes: A New Way of Learning and Being Together" by Jeanne Gibbs, Pat Ronsone (Illustrator), Nita Winter (Photographer)

Technique & Teaching tips:

1. Show students exemplars of a Life Map for a clear visual

2. Students can brainstorm key moments in their life that they want to include. Explain the the Life Maps will be presented to the class so students should include details with discretion if there is something they would rather not share openly.

3. On a white paper, students use a pencil to sketch out their life map. The explanation component should be reserved for the presentation. Include only names of places/people and dates on the Life Map, keeping it minimal.

4. After the sketch is complete, students can use a black line marker to go over the sketch to make it pop. Add colour as needed.

5. Students share their Life Map with the class explaining “road signs”, “place names” up and downs and so on.

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The Big-mouthed Clay Monsters art is a fun activity to introduce clay art to students.

Technique & Teaching tips:

1. Clay can be purchased online for ~$25 + shipping (~$25). Or, if in Vancouver, it can be purchased in-person sans the shipping.

2. Students each get a fist and half sized ball of clay. Students use a canvas table mat as a work surface.

3. Prepare a water jug for students to share at each station. Use water sparingly (!) or it won't dry properly. Only enough water to wet the fingers occasionally.

4. Students use their thumbs to press in while using their fingers to pull out and form the mouth cavity. The extra clay at the back of the mouth can be pulled off to make protruding parts of the monster.

5. The monsters will shrink in size a little so keep that in mind.

6. Once ready, students leave their monsters to air dry from 1-7 days. Once dry, fire them in the kiln. (Visit an art studio or a high school with a kiln if your school does not have one.)

7. Once dried, they are ready to be painted. Et voila!

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Clay figure after moulding, before going in the kiln

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(Right) Printmaking template; (Left) Print copy 1

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Technique & Teaching tips:

1. Students should be familiar with negative and positive space before starting the printmaking activity.

2. With the cardboard print template, students can either use a corrugated cardboard to carve out (with a scalpel or box cutter) and pull out/off the negative parts of the image. Remind students to keep images simple and large, and to use regular shapes for ease of cutting. (Note: with the corrugated option, the lines of the corrugated cardboard's middle layer will show on the print copy). Alternately, students can carve out the image on a cardboard sheet and glue it onto another cardboard to create the height/depth difference needed for print making.

3. On a glass sheet, pour the desired colour onto the sheet and roll out using a roller. Coat roller with paint evenly.

4. Apply the roller onto the print template.

5. Place a paper on the print template to make a copy.

6. Label copies made as copy 1, copy 2, etc...

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Paisley print copies from styrofoam print template

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Technique & Teaching tips:

1. Students should be familiar with negative and positive space before starting the printmaking activity.

2. Students draw out the pattern on a sheet of paper first.

3. Place the sketch of the pattern/image on the styrofoam print template, students can use a pen tip or a thin wooden dowel tip to etch the pattern on.

4. On a glass sheet, pour the desired colour onto the sheet and roll out using a roller. Coat roller with paint evenly.

5. Apply the roller onto the styrofoam print template.

6. Place the desired colour paper on the print template to make a copy. Switch colours/paint colours for contrast. print template needs to be wiped/washed if a different paint is to be used on it. (Tip: It is easier to switch the paper that the template will be copied on than to switch the paint colour that goes on the template.)

7. Label copies made as copy 1, copy 2, etc...

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Silhouette painting on a wash background

Techniques & Teaching Tips:

1. On thick art paper, add a wash gradient in either warm water colours (yellow, red, orange) or cool colours (blue, purple). Let dry 15-30 minutes.

2. Add the outline of geographic features or cityscapes or any other features in black acrylic paint. Let dry. (Tip: students can lightly sketch their silhouettes before painting over them.

3. The art might get a little wrinkly from the wet paint. Iron it to straighten out. Alternately, this can be done on a wood-bound canvas.

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Stop Motion Animation on the Lifecycle of a plant 

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Lifecycle of a plant in Stop Motion Animation

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Lifecycle of a plant in Stop Motion Animation

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Technique & Teaching tips:

1. Use a large colour paper as the background.

2. Brainstorm a stop motion sequence.

3. Gather supplies (felt cut outs, felt letters/numbers, pebbles, paper cut outs, pompoms, feathers, insects (butterflies), animal model figurines (dinosaurs), clay, etc...

4. Set up the phone/ipad/camera on a stand/rack.

5. Download a stop motion app e.g. Stop Motion Studio

6. Create a mise-en-scene

7. Capture the images in sequence. 5-6 images for each second.

8. Play the animation.

9. (Optional) Add sound effects and/or overlay credits to finish the animation.

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This activity captures your reason for embarking on a journey in a jar. During tough times, it serves as a visual and kinesthetic reminder of your reason, or your 'why', to give you strength when your resolve may be wavering.

Techniques & Teaching tips:

1. Gather items that are your raison d'etre and serve as your inspiration. This can include a note/letter from a loved one, a sentimental trinket/gift from someone special, a scent that is comforting, a photo capturing a memory or moment in time, etc...

2. Place these items in a jar. Decorate the outside of the jar.

3. Place it somewhere special or keep it on display as a visual reminder.

4. In times of need, open it and appreciate the items inside and savour the feeling/memory/scent/taste that set you on the journey you are on.

5. Be comforted.