West Milwaukee 6th grade Album Covers and Pop Art Portraits

Sixth grade students were lead through an incredible painting/portrait lesson by our very talented student teacher, Ms. Richardson.

Ms. Richardson showed the students many examples of artistic album covers, and pop art portraits. Students were limited to four colors, with black being the final addition. Composition, symbolism, and color placement were all important consideration in these fantastic paintings.

At the end of the project, the class participated in a positive peer critique, or "gallery walk" as we call it. It's always encouraging to see and hear kids at this age be able to appreciate eachother's talents.

 

WMIS -7th Grade Pop Art Prints

The 7th graders worked hard on creating styrofoam prints based on popular brands that are marketed directly to their age demographic. They researched logos and created simple, eye-catching designs. We studied pop artists, including the famous Andy Warhol, and their use of bold-flat color and repetition. Students had learn correct printing craftsmanship, were allowed to explore with many different colors of ink and paper. We mounted the works in groups of four and labeled our work. The last step was the addition of oil pastels, for an extra *pop* of color. Extra credit was offered to students who wanted to create their own product and logo. 

 

WMIS- Animal Eye Drawings

7th graders just finished their close-up, animal eye drawings.  The main focus of this art project was to look closely, and draw what you see and not what you know.  The students worked on enlargement and proportions.  In addition, they tried really hard to blend colors by overlapping colored pencils.  Great work 7th graders!

WMIS 6th Grade Contour Line Shoe Drawings

The 6th graders learned about descriptive, contour line drawings.  They practiced drawing their own shoes from life.  They gained a lot of confidence in their drawing abilities by drawing directly what they saw.  Many commented that they didn't know they could draw as well as they did.  They then turned their realistic controur line drawings, into surreal fantasies.

8th Grade Scratch Art at WMIS

The 8th graders just finished their cropped, nature-inspired, scratch art projects.  This may be one of the most impressive projects I've seen so far.  I knew the project would be challenging for the kids, because it requires them to think almost backwards.  They are reductively scratching away at black to reveal white.  Prior to starting the project, we worked on cross-hatching and using lines to create value.  We also discussed cropping and it's use in composition.  I am absoloutely blown away by the quality of work the 8th graders created.

WMIS donates Day of the Dead Art to the VA

Here at West Milwaukee Intermediate, we are only a few blocks from the midwest's largest and oldest Veteran Affair's hospitals. On occasion, we have the honor of lending our artworks to them for special celebrations. This year, the VA is hosting a "Day of the Dead" or "Dia de los Muertos" for the veterans. The 6th grade art students were more than happy to permenantly donate some of their "Dia" skull prints to such deserving neighbors.

West's First Craft Club

West's first Craft Club meeting took place on Friday, October 19th.  Eighteen students showed up for the "Spooky" Halloween themed craft afternoon.  We made bats out of miniature pumpkins, spiders out of suckers, monster bookmarks, and a really delicious Halloween Bark dessert.

All the students (and adults) had a blast, and we can't wait for next month's Thanksgiving themed Craft Club.  If anyone is interested in joining, please see Ms. Valentine for a permission slip.

 

WMIS's 6th grade Symmetrical Name Designs

The 6th graders learned about symmetry and radial design.  They also studied different Mandalas from around the world.  They used this new knowledge to create symmetrical name mandalas. Repeating their names in mirror images, they connected their design and created a challenge for the viewer to find their names. 

WMIS 8th grade Asymmetrical Folder Designs

For our first project this year, the 8th graders played with the idea of "two sides" to create asymmetrical designs on their Art folders. The variety seen in their work is outstanding! Some students chose nature themes, others humor, while others tackled very deep issues. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester will produce. There is A LOT of talent in our Panther Artists

 

West Milwaukee Open House

Please come and join us at West Milwaukee Intermediate on Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30. We are having our annual Open House. This is a fantastic way for families to meet their students' teachers, ask questions, and observe all the hard work going on here at West. Students and families will be able to visit each individual classroom. Stop by the Art Room and take a look at all of the previous 8th graders artist-inspired ceiling tiles! Hope to see you there! 

 



 

For more information about the art program at West, please visit Ms. Valentine's blog:  A Pencil A Day.