Funny Face Blind Contour Drawing Demo Video...

Video Demo of this lesson

On Facebook 

Creating a Costa Rica Boruca Mask....

Boruca Masks of Costa Rica Art Project

Mask Background Information

"When the Spaniards arrived with advanced weapons, the Borucans only had animal spirits, such as the jaguar, to guide them. In homage to the spirits that aided them, today's intricate masks are carved and painted to represent these spirits, fierce animals, devils, and also images of the local flora and fauna of their country. The Borucans have become over the years very detailed relief carvers. Relief carvings have a flat back and the image carved in three dimension, obtaining unbelievable depths, all from one piece of wood. There are three distinct styles and each tells a specific story about Borucan culture. The first is the 'diablito' or 'devil' mask, the most traditional. The second is the 'ecologica', featuring animals and plants of the rainforest. These were originated by a new generation of artists concerned about the imminent threat of their culture due to the destruction of their environment. The third, 'combinados', are the metamorphosis of both the 'diablitos' and the 'ecologica', as they represent the blending of the traditional and contemporary styles".

*Information obtained from the Boruca Website

Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation 

Materials Needed

Cardboard box cut into 12x12 inch sheets

Toilet Paper Roll (after the quarantine I know y'all have TP rolls)

Masking tape

Scissors

Drawing paper and marker

Non-hardening modeling clay

Click HERE to order modeling clay from Amazon

Tempera or Acrylic Paint

Gesso or white tempera 

To hang you mask you may tape or hot glue a paper clip on the back of the cardboard

Steps in Mask Making

1. Ask students to select the type of mask they would like to create the Diablo, the Ecological or they may choose to create a mask that represents themselves. After the mask is drawn students will color their drawing with markers. 

I use Crayola washable markers for this project. I like them because they blend together really well.

You can order an individual size HERE from Amazon.

You can order a class pack HERE from Amazon.

2. This is part of my school's recycle art lesson series. We use cardboard boxes from around the school to create our Boruca masks. You will need to cut your boxes in to 12x12 inch sheets or as big as you are able to cut your boxes.

Draw out the shape you would like your mask to be.

Then cut out the mask.

3. Next we will start adding the eyes using a toilet paper tube.

Flatten the tube and cut across at an angle.

Then cut straight across the TP tube, which will create another angle.

Do that 2 more time so you have upper eye lids and lower eye lids.

I like to make the lower eye lids smaller than the top. 

Using masking tape you will attach the TP tube cut outs to your mask.

There is a flat side and a pointed side to the eye lid, make

sure the pointed side goes down towards the cardboard.

Attach the eye lids securely with the masking tape and then

rub the tape until it is flat against the cardboard. 

4. I have my students cut out all their parts at one time and then put them in a bag. I put masking tape on the bag with their name on it, I am able to reuse the bags this way. 

Once all the parts are cut out then you can start gluing them in place.

Make sure your name is on the back with a Sharpie and then set it aside and let it dry until next class.

5. When the glue is dry poke holes in the areas you would like to later add yarn, string or raffia. Then paint the entire mask with Gesso or white tempera.

Set this aside and allow the white to dry.

6. Now the exciting part....add some color. 

I use tempera paint at my elementary school for clean up and economical reasons but the mask in this example is in acrylic. I would use acrylic if I could because I like the look. 

After the paint dries add some yarn, string or raffia. 

I found a feather and I added it in too.

7. Add the eyes

Make sure you put a drop of glue between the clay and the cardboard so the eyes will stick in place.

I use Craftsmart non-hardening modeling clay. 

The package in the photo will create all 5th grade Boruca masks, a 4th grade project and a 3rd grade project. I do order extra white clay for the eyes. You can have the kids use other colors than white for the eye background. 

Click HERE to order modeling clay from Amazon

 I have a class set of stands, which are just cut 2x4 boards and dowels.

I use masking tape to the tape the masks to the stand and that way I can reuse the stands.  

This image is from the Boruca website. 

You can find more information about the Boruca culture, weaving, natural dyes and how to buy your own make HERE

If you have any questions or need help with this project please email me at

artroomblog@yahoo.com

2nd Grade Space Week Rocket to Another Planet...

 Each year we celebrate Space Week at the end of September. 

In second grade I have students think about what it would be like to travel to another planet. It is something they might actually get to do in their life time.

 The first step is to create a new world, a planet far away. 

What would the ground look like?

What would the new sky look like?

Draw your outlines using a black crayon and then use watercolor paint

to create your new planet.

 Next we use a straw to create Nebulas.

Place a very watery drop of paint on the paper and

then using your straw blow as had as you can to create

streaks in the paint.

I make sure to tell the kids not to share their straws and 

the straws much be thrown away as soon as you are done using them.

 

To create the rocket we use a separate sheet of paper and then color it with markers.

When the rocket has been colored students will cut it out and glue to on their new planet.

TP Cat Sculptures with 3rd Grade...

Start with an old thread spool. I got a box of 80 on Ebay for $50

This is day one of a 4 day process, however each step does not take the entire class.

You should have some back up work ready.

Dip the top of the cone in liquid glue.

I collected TP rolls from my 3rd grade parents.

Cut out a diamond shape space in the middle of the TP roll. 

I had to do this step for some of kids but most of them were able to handle it on their own and then help other.

Next set the TP roll on to of the cone with the glue. 

The last step for the day is to cut out and attach the ears.

I used a TP roll and cut triangles off the end.

The kids dipped the ears in glue that was on a foam tray and attached them to the top of the TP rolls on the cones.

 After gluing on the ears on the kids used a Sharpies to write their names and their

teacher's name inside the cone and place them on the rack.

I labeled each shelf with their teacher's name. 

This process took most the class (30 Mins). After their cat was on the rack they

got their art journals and started to work for the remainder of the class.

Day 2

Today we will paint on a single base coat color.

This is a fairly quick process, about 20 minutes. 

When they are finished painting they put their painted cats back on the rack and get out

any old or unfinished work. I also allow the faster finisher to help the more detailed workers get their cats painted.

Day 3

Designs and pattern painting...then back to the drying rack.

On the third day I start a new drawing project before they begin paining their details. 

After they get the instructions for the new project they may start their designs and patterns.

When they are finished they may start on the new project.

I would keep the new project fairly simple and manageable. 

Day 4

Eyes, tails and whiskers. 

First they add the white paint and then a black dot for the pupil.

Next they use pipe cleaners for the whiskers and really fluffy ones for the tail.

The kids pick out their colors for ones I have already cut down to size and then dip them in the glue.

Tail and whisker gluing is the last step. I have them lay their cats on wax paper on the table next to them to dry as they are working on last weeks drawing project. I walk around and grade the cats as they are drawing. 

Tails

You can buy these on Amazon HERE

Whiskers

You can buy the tiger striped pipe cleaners HERE on Amazon

I use craft glue for this projects. It holds well and seems to dry faster then regular liquid glue.

You can buy the tacky glue HERE on Amazon

This is our photo inspiration from Pinterest. I tried following the link but it was a dead end.