There are several ways to create dynamic art with middle school students along with teaching new painting styles and helping them learn about new artists. With some basic materials, successful finished artwork can be created and students will have fun making them. Taking the time to set up activities before working with middle school students will facilitate educational learning projects and help ensure that you have creative time with students.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo is known for his dynamic ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel, painted in the early 1500s. The paintings, or frescos, are very impressive and took over four years to create. Before working , gather materials: long rolls of white paper along with watercolor paints and pencils, and small sheets of paper. Tear off large sheets of roll paper and tape underneath tables or desks in the classroom. Having examples of some of the artwork from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings posted around the room will provide students with motivation.
As a group, discuss how Michelangelo worked on the Sistine Chapel ceiling high above the ground on scaffolding. Michelangelo is considered a Renaissance artist. As a Renaissance artist, Michelangelo created larger than life depictions of the human form in great detail through realism on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Many times he painted lying on his back. It was tireless work and Michelangelo would work for hours in challenging positions painting. Have students sketch a human form in an interesting position for motivation for their ceiling painting. When middle schools students are satisfied with their sketch, they can use the watercolor paints to create their ceiling fresco underneath their desk or table using detail and realism in their depiction of the human form.
Jackson Pollock
This is a dress for mess project for both teacher and student, so before starting, make sure everyone is wearing dress for mess clothing or smocks. Jackson Pollock painted in an unconventional way by dripping and splattering the paint onto canvases that were flat on the ground. Getting material ready before working with students will allow more time for art production. Each student will need an 18-inch by 24-inch sheet of paper along with various colors of tempera paint in plastic cups and large brushes. Clear an area of the room so there is enough flat area for each student to have a spot to work. Cover the floor with plastic sheeting or a tarp to keep it from also getting painted.
Before starting to work, have students look at examples of Jackson Pollock's painting and discuss his painting style. Pollock's drip paintings of the 1940s got his style lots of attention and praise. His technique was to stand over a canvas and drip and splatter colors of paint to create a finished artwork. Share examples of Pollock's work with students and then have them select a color combination of four paints to work with to create their own drip style painting. Allow students to drip and splatter paint until they are satisfied with their painting.
Spray Paint
Spray paint and graffiti art has become part of the modern art world with artists gaining recognition for painting large public murals as well as canvas art. This project will require several plastic spray bottles, which can be recycled from used product spray containers. (Asking your middle school students to bring in used spray bottles from home for this art project is a way to show them the value of recycling plastic containers.) Along with spray bottles, you'll need watered-down tempera in various colors as well as large sheet of easel paper. Tape the easel paper on walls of the classroom before working with students, making sure each student has an area to work. Fill spray bottles with the watered-down colors of tempera and label each bottle by color. Test the bottles to make sure they properly spray paint through the nozzles.
Discuss with students why some spray paint works are considered art and others are considered graffiti. Also discuss artwork in a public place that was not commissioned--it is illegal to graffiti public places and can be punished with large fines. Artists that create spray-painted murals work with large spaces such as walls of buildings and stand while creating their art. Have students select a sheet of paper, stand in front of it, and begin spray-painting. When students are satisfied with their painting, allow them to use black tempera paint and brushes to create an outline of an object in their spray paint artwork.
Tags: with students, Sistine Chapel, spray bottles, working with, along with