For the past few years I have been begging (it wasn't pretty folks) for our school to get Photoshop into one of our computer labs. Photoshop is such an important tool for our kiddos with an array of possibilities. I am ecstatic to announce we now have 38 Photoshop programs installed in Tech Lab 27!
I started the students with a quick lesson on the History of Typography (very interesting and cleverly created). From there the students were given a quick tutorial on Photoshop and the BIG concept of layers. The students created a typogram using a variety of font style, font color, and font shapes. The goal was to create an image using only text. Pretty cool, huh?
It's MMS FaceOff Season 2 and we are well into the project! We had such success with our project last year we just had to do it again! This year we have an added bonus!
Jenette Noe, student teacher extraordinaire from the College of Idaho, has come with her own arsenal. While as an undergrad she took a very extensive stage makeup class. She has been teaching the students
2-D makeup effects as I add the 3-D latex prosthetics to the mix.
The students began their first facial schematics by searching for old-age imagery on the internet.
We took photos of each student and they used their photo to outline their face onto tracing paper.These are examples of old-age facial schematics completed on the tracing paper. The students used color pencil to simulate stage-makeup.
Next we had the students get into partners while they practiced the old-age effect. We had them use acrylic paint (white, gray, and black) for this first exposure; it was available and much cheaper than our more expensive Ben Nye makeup.
Next the students researched animals, prepared their facial schematics of their chosen animal and practiced applying paint/makeup to their own faces. They used a hand mirror for the application.
Stay tuned for the final 2-D animal looks and for the upcoming 3-D prosthetic phase. Meanwhile, check out the weekly FaceOff series on the Syfy channel.
I am still trying to wipe off the summer cobwebs, how about you? It's going to be a fantastic year here at the Art Alley and I am getting so excited I can hardly stand it. That's what art does, makes me kind of giddy.
I will be posting blog information weekly on what's going on. Here is what's been happening the last five days:
6th Grade: Learning all about the color wheel, how to make secondary and tertiary colors from those three, much reliable primary colors: red, blue and yellow! Did you know these pigments come from minerals and plants?
7th Grade: Learning how to draw. Yep, ANYONE can learn how to draw, it is true, and there are 70 7th graders becoming believers (it is so rewarding!).
8th Grade: Reviewing the color wheel, tints, shades and monochromatic colors in preparation for our coveted mural project in the ART YARD. It's indeed a privilege, and it takes lots of discipline and team work to be able to paint outside so we are practicing our painting skills before this project begins.
LEGOS!! In preparation for our Trimester II mural project, we are asking those in the community to donate legos. Yep, any size, color, or shape, we aren't picky! If you have Lego's to donate, please drop them off at the MMS office. Thank you in advance!!
Sculpture Garden: We will be continuing our Sculpture Garden fund raising again this year. We are asking for donations of cake mixes and canned frosting. Again, we aren't picky, and will GLADLY accept anything you can send our way. Brownies work great too!
Here's to a great year everyone! I would LOVE to have you subscribe to this website. I will be posting photos of student work and lots of cool links and artsy stuff too.
If you have ever had the opportunity to watch FaceOff you will understand a little what my 8th grade students have been up to this past trimester.
We started the unit playing around with special effects, creating realistic scars. You can read this earlier post here. We segued to making nose prosthetics so the students could understand the latex process without being intimidated. Working small really helped and the students seemed to enjoy the process and the humorous outcomes. I realize these are far from perfect but doesn't it look like we had FUN!
MAKING THE LATEX MASK: The students worked in partners to create their mask. They started with a clay positive, this was then plastered and the clay inside was removed. Latex was poured into the mold, left to dry for 24 hours and then pulled and finally, painted. I will post specific photos of this process in the near future.
A few of our students really took ownership of creating their final reveal.
Student creates "barnacles" using tissue paper and liquid latex
Students are helping apply fish scale texture with netting fabric and paint.
I have a large mirror in the art room (was once a home-ec room) so this came in handy when this student was applying his paint.
This gruesome affect above was made with tissue paper (Kleenex) and liquid latex. It is amazing how realistic it looks!
Below are a few masks the students completed.
This unit was possible by the donations made to Food for Art. We are hoping to have a successful Food for Art campaign again this summer. Watch my FaceBook feed for more information.
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