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Category Archives: all grades

Painted and Doodled Stars Tutorial

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Colorful, hand-drawn stars in various shapes and sizes with decorative patterns on a white background.

I feel like I have stumbled upon my newest art series for my own art.  Earlier I wrote a blog post about how to make watercolor doodled flowers.  Using a similar technique, I made watercolor mandalas.  I have a new painting to show you with watercolor and doodled stars.   These were all 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 … Read more… →

New Art History Sketchbook Prompt Set!! Set #4

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New Art History Sketchbook Prompt Set!! Set #4

I have a brand new set of Art History Sketchbook Prompts to share with you! These cards are a great way for students to do some independent learning if they finish an art project early. This is set #4 of the Art History Sketchbook Prompts, with all NEW artists! These art history cards feature a selection of inspiring famous artworks with a prompt that can be used to spark drawing and writing.  Only $5!  The price reflects the increase in … Read more… →

Create a “Create” Banner

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A colorful mural with the word "CREATE" surrounded by various vibrant doodles, patterns, and abstract designs, showcasing an inspiring create design.

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… →

Googly Eyed Sticker Monsters

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A child coloring monster drawings with markers on a wooden table, adding googly eyes for a fun touch.

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… →

How to Make a Watercolor Mandala

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A hand with painted nails coloring an intricate mandala design with a black pen, creating a beautiful blend of patterns and shapes.

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… →

How to Write a Blog Post that People Will Read: Blogging Basics, Part Three

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How to Write a Blog Post that People Will Read: Blogging Basics, Part Three

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… →

Blogging Basics, Part Two: Choosing a Blog Name and Getting Ideas

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Blogging Basics, Part Two: Choosing a Blog Name and Getting Ideas

  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… →

Blogging Basics for Teachers and Other Creatives: Part One

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Top-down view of a desk with a laptop, notebook, and watercolor set. Text reads "Blogging Basics for art teachers and other creatives."

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… →

3 Tips to Make Assessing Your Students Easier

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3 Tips to Make Assessing Your Students Easier

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… →

Annual Art Re-Swap

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Black and white photos of people of various ages are arranged with a colorful beaded necklace on a white background.

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… →

Art is Basic Newsletter

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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… →

The Best Thing I Did to Start My School Year

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Colorful "ARTSY" banner with letters on pencil-shaped flags against a red background with a vibrant chevron border.

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… →

Free Symmetry Challenge Sheet

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Free symmetry challenge sheet featuring half-drawn pictures of an owl, rabbit, frog, girl, pencil, and cat.

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… →

Pattern Block Pictures

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Colorful geometric artwork featuring hexagons and diamond shapes, set against a black background.

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… →

Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

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Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

**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… →

  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.