Repousee Calaveras

The ornate designs on these elaborate 7th grade skulls were inspired by "calaveras" or sugar skulls found in Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Students then used the repousee method of stretching thick sheets of aluminum to create these elaborate renderings. Finally, they added the "antiqued" effect by coating them in a thin layer of India Ink that was then burnished with steel wool.

3rd Grade Halloween Relief Prints

Abstract Watercolors

The fifth grade students created these abstract works of art inspired by the Elements and Principles of Art and Design. They first rendered non-objective charcoal drawings based on a specific Element ( texture, value, form, etc) paired with a Principle (balance, pattern and rhythm, movement, etc). Once completed  they, designed a frame that was an extension of the drawing and finished it in watercolor paint. While doing this, students applied the wet-on-wet, dry brushing and oil resist painting techniques, as well as an understanding of color theory when they devised monochromatic, complementary and neutral color schemes.

Scratchboard Insects (and a walrus)

These wonderful creations were made by the 7th graders. They used scratchboard, wire, cardboard and other found objects to create these whimsical creatures.