Students Explore the Art of Linoleum Block Printing

Over the past five weeks, this small but focused group of teens learned a little about the art of printmaking.  We observed and discussed several different types of prints from centuries past as well as contemporary work.  But, mostly, they spent time carving and printing linocuts of their own.

This type of printmaking is easy to do at home - no press needed.  Hopefully, students will be able continue to explore this medium on their own.  But, I will definitely offer this class again.







The reveal...

A Merry Old Time in the "Christmas Keepsakes" Class!

Three very special projects were the highlight of this class.  No prepackaged kits or stick-on foamies here.  Instead, each item was made from scratch by the students age 8-12.


 One project was an advent calendar made with decorative papers, mini gift bags, and MDF board.  Little hanging bags have plenty of room for verses and goodies for each day through Christmas Eve.

Light shines through these angels.

Unique contemporary translucent Angels were sculpted in wire and filled with colorful and flexible window cling material.





A queue of Marys and Josephs wait for color!

  

But, probably one of the students' favorite projects was sculpting a mini nativity from clay and painting it on the last day.

I hope that these "keepsakes" will be enjoyed for years and that they will always remind the students of the real meaning of Christmas.





Ready for Display

     

What is the SKILL-BUILDER ART SERIES?

This series provides quality art education for kids and teens to cultivate foundational skills in drawing and painting.  They are designed on the premise that basic "ABC" drawing skills can be taught, giving fledgling artists the tools needed to more successfully pursue their creative ideas.

In these classes, hands-on exploration is exercised through the creation of a "reference sketchbook" where terms are defined and skills are practiced.  In addition, there are many opportunities in each class to analyze various works of art throughout history and discuss them as a group.  But, there is also be the opportunity to complete "finished" drawings with a variety of media, as well as drawing games to balance the technical with the creative.

Currently, two classes are available in this series and more are being developed:

Skill-Builders 1 - Basic Drawing

Family of line and shape, composition, variation of line, contour and cross-contour, positive and negative space, proper proportion and measuring techniques, and "building" more complex images from simple lines.

Ages 9+
1-1/2 hour classes - 8 Week Session
Class Size Limit 12
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$35 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

Skill-Builders 2 - Let There Be Light!  Creating the Illusion of 3-Dimensions with Line, Shape, and Value

Creating standard 3-D forms and translating them into common objects, light and its effect on objects, cast shadows, shading variations, value and contrast.

Ages 10+
1-1/2 hour classes - 8 Week Session
Class Size Limit 12
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$35 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

While the above classes are designed for the older child and teen, the Skill-Builder Jr. class is for the younger artist. 

Skill-Builders Jr. - The Art Express: From Abstract to Realistic

Family of line of shape, abstraction, portraits, landscapes, still life, and the building of simple objects with line and shape.

Ages 5-9
1 hour classes - 8 Week Session
Class Size Limit 12
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$35 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

Skill-Builders Jr. - Color Carnival

Primary, secondary and neutral colors, color mixing, color wheel, warm vs. cool, what color is and where it can be found.

Ages 5-10
1 hour classes - 8 Week Session
Class Size Limit 12
$55 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$40 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

The First Round of Art Classes Comes to a Close...

Today was the conclusion of my first round of art classes for kids offered through the Horizons Extension Program at Pine Grove Baptist Church.  I began by offering two classes to homeschoolers - Skill Builders Basic Drawing for ages 9+ and Skill Builders Jr. for ages 5-10.



My Jr. Skill Builders

 My Jr.'s rode on the "Art Express," exploring different types of artwork from abstract to realistic and discussed the work of key artists.  Along the way, we studied the portrait, landscape, still life, and multi-media collage, and we worked in a variety of media including pencil, ink, oil pastel, watercolor, and torn paper.




The big kids created a reference sketchbook of important basic concepts and skills in drawing.  Topics covered included basic lines and shapes, composition, sketching, contour and cross-contour, proportion, and positive and negative space.  Again, we discussed a variety of famous work by artists throughout the centuries.  The goal was to learn about and practice various skills - NOT to end up with a stack of frame-worthy art pieces.  However, I think there were definitely some pieces created by each of the students that have earned that honor.



The Skill Builder Basic Drawing Kids get Silly!















About the Instructor...

My name is Diane Smith and I have been a doodler ever since I could hold a pencil. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Specializing in Drawing and Painting, from California State University, Long Beach, and I have enjoyed many years of working with children in art.  Past experience includes several years as the Arts and Programs Director for the Long Beach Children’s Museum followed by three years as the K-8 art teacher at Westerly School of Long Beach.  It was at that point that I came home to be a homeschooling mother of 4, and that has been my primary focus for the past 10 years.

Recently, as the kids have gotten a little older, I have been building an illustration portfolio with children's book illustration in mind for when the homeschooling winds down.  In the meantime, I have been really motivated to get back into art with kids in the community - and so Doodlebird Studio was born.

My classes typically run in 5 to 8 week sessions and target different topics and different student age groups. Some classes zero in on basic technical skills such as those in my Skill-Builder Art Series. Others are based on a period in art history or on a new and different medium like the Linoleum Block Printing. Still, sometimes they’re just for crafty fun as with my recent Christmas Keepsakes. I am always developing new classes!

You can follow my journey toward a future in illustration at http://dianesmithillustration.blogspot.com/