Mixed Media Still Life

At the point in the year transitional primary students had already dabbled in a variety of medias/materials such as drawing, painting, and clay.  For this unit, we decided to use more than one type of art material in our work, which we learned was called MIXED MEDIA.  We started off by taking a close look at still life's from french artists Paul Cezanne and Henri Matisse.  We compared his paintings and discussed that they were similar because they both featured fruit, some sort of bowl or basket, and were arranged on a table.  When asked why different artists were using similar imagery in their work, students quickly discerned that these were objects readily available to artists at that time and most likely found in their home.   We discovered a STILL LIFE is when an artist creates a artwork of objects that do not move or are not alive (inanimate).  Then, we brainstormed what could be considered part of a still life and what would NOT be included in a still life. We came to the conclusion that if it could walk off the table, it would not be in a still life.

Still Life's from the Masters

Still Life with Basket of Apples, Paul Cezanne, 1890-1894

Still Life with Apples, Paul Cezanne, 1890

Still Life Compote with Apples and Oranges, Henri Matisse, 1889

Before we started on our own still life's, we reviewed the difference between drawing from IMAGINATION (drawing from your brain) with drawing from OBSERVATION (drawing what you see in front of you).  We even had time to create a still life from imagination to get warmed up.  For this project, students were going to be sharpening their observational skills and increasing the scale their work. Our young artists started with 18" X 24" paper and ZOOMED IN to the fruit on their table, first painting the shapes in black.  Next, students adding in a HORIZON LINE to make sure the fruit did not appear to be floating and added in any shadows they saw.  

After the paint dried, we were able to bring in our color mixing skills from earlier in the year by only having the primary colors at our disposal.  Finally, for the last class we brought in the mixed media aspect by adding in oil pastels.  At this point, students were able to enhance their painting with the cray-pas and add in details such a table cloth pattern (that was from imagination) or areas of  light hitting the fruit.  Some artists even added in a window and curtains (it was very hard for them to fight the urge of not have a sun in the corner of these paintings). 

Student Examples

Tona Masks

                  

                                        

With this unit, we certainly saved the best for last.  To start off, we examined the oldest mask found and claimed to be 9000 years old below.

                           

Then, we compared it to masks of Pre-Colombian Mexico.   We learned that people wear masks in many cultures around the world for similar reasons, such as during religious ceremonies to honor gods/deities, who in return would bring rain, fertile crops, and successful harvests, good health and well being.   Additionally, masks were worn during dances and theatrical performances to bring the community together.  We discussed how according to a Pre-Colombian legend, it was believed that each person has an animal companion/guardian that they share a common destiny with which they referred to as a Tona.  Some popular animals that were chosen in Mexico for a person's Tona were jaguars, ocelots, birds, bats, snakes, and alligators.  To create Tona masks artists would often combine human and animal features. 

Map of Pre-Colombian Mexico

                                 

 Examples of Masks from Mexico

                                  

                          

Before students could dive into their own masks, they carefully brainstormed different animals they could relate to based on personality traits.  We had owls for the students who liked to stay up late, monkeys to symbolize a playful fun spirit, and elephants to express creative and sensitive sides.   After this self-reflection was given as a homework assignment, a student shared a wonderful website has you answer a few multiple choice questions to help  pair you with an animal based on personality traits such as size, gregariousness, attractiveness, dependability, intelligence, athletic ability, life successes, and love of travel.  I will certainty use this for next year!

Click on the link to take the quiz, I got a bear (very spot on)         Animal Like You Test

Once students decided upon their Tona (animal), they started to build an armature (skeletal framework of their mask) with newspaper and masking tape.  It was proven that cheap masking tape does not do the job as well as the expensive kind like Scotch! We made a ball first and then added on our parts which focused heavily on correctly joining by thoroughly adding and pressing down tape.

                                      

                                      

                                      


After the armature was complete, we used Plaster wrap/roll (similar to paper mache) to act as the skin by applying at least two layers on top of the newspaper.   Next, we got to the fun part, painting! Some students went for more realistic colors of their animals and others chose to stylize adding in human features  keeping up with traditional Tonas by adding in more humanistic eyes or fun bright patterns.

Before Plaster Craft Wrap

               

Lastly, I helped cut holes in the back of each mask and then students were able to pull all the newspaper out (came out in a ball) so their mask was hollow and they could actually wear it. 

Student Examples

Zeebra

Lion

Bunny

Siamese Cat

Fox

Black Bear

Horse

Unicorn

Giraffe

Owl

Penguin

Leopard

Monkey

Elephant

Brown Bear

Dragon

Gazelle

Owl

Panda

Wolf

**Note For Next Time: It was very time consuming cutting holes in the back of each mask, and after doing so the paint would chip and require touching up.  Next year, I will try either having two students work on a balloon together and then cut in half and students get a half, or using a cardboard oval/circle instead of the newspaper ball and attaching pieces to that (downside is you can not actually fit your head in it).