Friday, November 16, 2012

5th Grade Abstract Chalk Pastel Explorations


5th Graders have been learning about abstract expressionism. Abstract expressionism was an American Post-World War II art movement. The abstract expressionist movement was characterized by expression of the artist’s emotions and feelings through color, shape and line. The paintings are abstract, so they do not depict recognizable forms, like people or places. 5th graders learned about two abstract expressionists in particular, Hans Hofmann and Sonia Delaunay. 
"Song of the Nightingale", Hans Hofmann, 1964
Image from www.hanshofmann.org
"La Prose du Transsibérien et de lat petite Jehanne de France", Sonia Delaunay, 1913
Image from www.moma.org

After looking at, and discussing, multiple works of art by these artists on the Smart Board, students considered how they could use different elements of art (line, shape, color, volume) to compose a work of art.  Students were directed to choose one shape to fill their paper with in any way they wanted. Some students chose to draw a 3-D shape, others chose to overlap their shape to create new shapes.
HC-316 students in-progress

Michael, HC-316

Students used graphite sticks to create their compositions, then worked on filling in the shapes with color using chalk pastels. Students focused on adding value by blending and layering the chalk pastel to create the illusion of volume in their compositions. 
Please enjoy their beautiful compositions!
Joaquin, "The Magic's Triangles", 5-308

"Mixed Colors", Andy, HC-316


"A Triangle Party", Lucy, HC-316



"Square's Colors", Vanessa, 5-308

"The Crazy Squares", Xinchen, HC-316

Paige, 5-308

"The Moving Shapes", Adam, 5-308