Student Projects - Grade 8
Portrait Drawing
Eighth grade students are eager to look in mirrors to learn how to draw their likeness. The teacher helps them develop their power of observation by making them aware of what to look for as they draw in pencil. This provides an opportunity for individual growth.
The students see a
PowerPoint of portraits done by many artists such as Da
Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Hopper, and Chuck Close. Students gain an
appreciation of what motivates artists to make art.
They will use chalk pastels over the pencil after they study the pastel drawings of Mary Cassatt. Students are surprised to learn that although Cassatt lived most of her life in France she was born in Pittsburgh.
This example made by Annie (one of my students) was awarded a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art Award competition of 2007.
Ceramic Sculpture
After drawing their self portraits students develop an awareness of facial features and easily transfer this knowledge into creating a sculpture.
Students select someone they admire to create a likeness in clay of their
"Hero". This may be a parent, a person in sports, a person in history, or a
writer for example.
Annie's sculpture was also awarded a Gold Key in The Scholastic Art Award Competition in 2007.
In this example , Annie chose the artist, M.C. Escher, putting a bird on his shoulder because of the image of a bird she saw in his art work.
Jewelry
By eighth grade students are ready to use the tools to create a piece of jewelry out of metal. They may select silver," Nu- gold ", or copper.
After looking at the Art Nouveau Period ( examples by Tiffany) the Art Deco
Period , and contemporary jewelers ( Paloma Picasso) students make a design for
a pin, bracelet, pendant, earrings, or keychain.
They may use the technique of soldering , piercing, or turquoise inlay as seen in these examples.
Students look forward to
experiencing this new medium . Since every design is
unique students must use problem solving and decision making skills.
Drawing
Andy captured a moment he remembered while camping last summer in this very
energetic drawing done in oil pastels.