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Grade 8 Art
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 Grade 8 Art With sketch pads in their hands, our 8th grade students are ready for their year in art. We'll be covering some core art essentials, starting with the elements of art. Students are beginning to understand what it means to represent themselves as artistic individuals. As each word in their english class composition is important to convey their message, the students are learning the importance each pencil stroke can make to convey their message in art. It's never "just coloring" in this class. We intend to take good art and make it great. We intend to take their projects and ideas from ordinary to extraordinary.  Value Exercises
Students started the year learning how to shade with the pencil. In art, this is called creating value. Again, students quickly learned that holding a pencil in art is different than holding a pencil in math class. The students quickly improved and their progress was amazing to witness. Check out their work.  Hands in Pencil
The first assignment in 8th grade is to draw their hands. We have gone over the anatomy and bone structure of the hand so students can learn how professional artists work, learning to really look at what they see. Take a look at some students working on their drawings. Here are some finished pieces  Celebrity Paintings
Transitioning to our second project was simple. Building on our knowledge of value in pencil, we are now applying value to paint. Students spent some time in the computer lab working in Photoshop manipulating a photograph of their favorite celebrity. We learned how to turn an ordinary photograph into a posterized image. Back in the classroom, we are transferring the information from the photograph onto large canvas board, which will be painted in, using different values of one color. The process requires critical analyzing and studying of line. Their technical skills will be put to the test as they paint in their images. This challenging project is quite rewarding and helps them grow as an artist and critical thinker. Click here to view their progress and some finished paintings.
 Slinky Tubes
In contrast to our recent "tight" work, this "loose" study of rounded designs is just what students need. Students color them in with colored pencils, adding value of the colored pencils to create depth in the picture. Click here to view their progress.
 Wings of Wonder
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be born with the colors of the rainbow on your skin? We did! When we stop and study the wings of butterflies and moths we all make the same remarks...how beautiful! The students looked at colored reference of butterflies for their final project. After applying glue to black construction paper, they will use oil pastels to blend those wings of wonder into mature works of art. Click here to view their progress.
Mrs. McNally's Art Classes
Island Trees School District
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