I’ve been busy this school year, but proud of myself that I feel like I’m keeping on top of things. It is so easy to feel like you are drowning in artwork, messes and things on your to-do list. Am I the only one sometimes that feels like I am swimming in a sea of student artwork trying to figure out what’s what, what’s finished and what still needs to be done? I wanted to share with you a fun … Read more…
With Halloween coming, this is an especially fun open-ended project for little kids. I did this with kids up to grade 3 and they were super excited to come up with their own monsters. Supplies needed (Amazon affiliate links used): Peel and Stick Wiggle Eyes Wiggle Eyes Stickers On A Roll Multi-Color Markers, crayons or other coloring tools White or colored construction paper Handouts for inspiration: Monster Dice Drawing and Examples of Monsters This is a real simple introduction and … Read more…
Earlier this summer I wrote a blog post about how to make watercolor doodled flowers. These mandalas I created were made with a very similar technique. Both these mandalas and the flowers were made by starting with watercolor paints and then doodling on top with thin markers. Products I Use (Amazon Affiliate links are used) Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections: Tropicals Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections: The Classics Sakura Koi Brush Pen Set Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point Sakura Micron Ink Pen … Read more…
If you missed the other posts in this series, be sure to read: Blogging Basics Part One Blogging Basics Part Two So, you started a blog, picked a name and have a great idea for your first post. Here are some tips you need to know. 1. Pay Attention to Permissions & Copyright Before you write your blog post, think about whether or not you got your idea from somewhere else. Did you learn about this technique at a conference? … Read more…
If you missed the first post in this series, check out Blogging Basics for Teachers and Other Creatives, Part One. In that post I share reasons to start blogging and how to choose a blogging platform. In today’s post, we will talk about how to choose a blog name and where to get ideas for your blog. My blog was originally called Vivid Layers (raise your hand if you read my blog back then!). The header is the … Read more…
So… you want to start a blog about teaching or art? One of the questions I get asked frequently is how do you start a blog? I asked the experts (other popular art bloggers) to share advice about getting started with blogging. The bloggers, in no particular order: Me from Art is Basic, of course Lee Darter, from Art Room Blog Phyllis Levine Brown from There’s a Dragon in My Art Room and The Artful Advocate Don Masse from … Read more…
Patty Palmer from Deep Space Sparkle asked me to share tips about assessment with her Member’s Club. I am no expert on assessment, but I thought I could share a few good ideas about what works for me when assessing my students in art. If you are not a member of the Member’s Club, you can still see my 3 top tips for assessment by watching the video below. How do you assess your students? Do you have any tips … Read more…
Today I am going to show you some fun pictures of super cool art teacher finds that I picked up at an Art Re-Swap. My city has an art supply swap at least once a year and it is probably one of my favorite events of the year! How it works is people bring in old supplies and “stuff” that can be used in art projects. Then, you can take anything you want from the piles of stuff other people … Read more…
Hello friends! Did you know Art is Basic has a newsletter? If you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive emails about once or twice per month from me. The newsletters will point you to blog posts you may have missed, tell about new products and give you words of encouragement or art teaching tips. I will never spam you or send you too many “salesy” emails. You can sign up with this form below (you might have to … Read more…
Hi! Welcome back to another artsy school year! I had a brilliant breakthrough this summer while reading Facebook Art Teacher groups online. Someone had created a video about their rules and procedures for their art room. I saw that and I thought that I DEFINITELY needed to do that! As a K-4/5 art teacher (I no longer teach the 5th/6th graders.. that grade level went to our new art teacher), I see a lot of classes. But, I still probably … Read more…
I have been working on making printable activity sheets to put into sketchbooks for my students. My plan is to have them work on some of these for “bell ringers” or 5 minute warm-ups while they are waiting for the rest of their class to arrive (my students travel from class to class on their own and some trickle in minutes later than others… it’s a complicated scheduling story which I can explain if you are interested.) The sketchbooks will … Read more…
Earlier this year, I bought the packet “Teaching the Elements of Art” made by Teaching in Paradise. This shape tracing project was included in the packet. With Courtney’s permission, I am sharing the beautiful results my students produced. We used pattern blocks that I had in my classroom. The students arranged the blocks to make shape pictures and traced them. After the designs were traced, they outlined them with a darker color and colored them in. Some of the students … Read more…
**This is a cross-post from my personal art blog. To enter the giveaway for a free copy of this coloring book, please leave a comment on the original post.** Today I am part of a TLC Book Tour for a new coloring book called Inkspirations Fruit of the Spirit. There are a few reasons I decided to be a part of this book tour. 1) I wanted to show you how we have enjoyed coloring books. 2) This is a … Read more…
Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a huge Back-to-School sale. I am joining in. I keep my prices affordable as it is, but this sale is a huge steal! I have over 50 art teacher resources available in my shop. Everything is 20% off (EDIT: except the HUGE GROWING BUNDLE, because that is already ridiculously cheap) August 1-2. Add the coupon code: BestYear for additional savings (28% off total). I have some resources you might be interested in! NEW: Elements of … Read more…
I like to start the first art class of the year with a children’s book about art and something quick and easy to get the kids making art. Here are some of the books I have used over the years on the first day of school or throughout the year. I like to read general books about art & creativity on the first day. I save the books about specific artists or topics for when we study those. Here are … Read more…
