Poems & Painting with Cy Twombly

Cy Twombly is an American artist who is know for his big, graffiti style paintings.
He often quoted poets and myths in his paintings too.
I personally love his style and wanted to replicate his "Rose" series.

First we constructed a poem together as a group.  I did it "mad lib style" where the kids filled in the blanks to create a more personalized poem.

Materials needed:
-Black construction paper, cut into long rectangles
-White pencils
-Colored construction paper for flowers
-Scissors
-Glue
-Red paint

Directions:
1.  Start by having the students write the poem on one side of the black paper in white pencil.
2.  Next have them cut out 3 flower shapes out of a colored construction paper.  You may choose to create a template that they trace for a more uniform flowers
3.  Glue the flowers in a row on the black paper
4.  Apply red paint over the flowers.  I demonstrated how to do this to create the illusion of flower petals.

Warm/Cool Color Study...con't

COLOR STUDY - TAKE TWO

First, we started with 2 ABSTRACT paintings.
One using only warm colors, the second using only cool colors.

Next, we ripped, cut and glued the two paintings, creating one awesome abstract!

Look at these!  2 very different results, both super interesting!

Warm/Cool Color Study

Teaching your students about warm vs. cool colors is a great way to expand their art vocabulary.

Warm colors...think summer, sun, campfire...reds, yellows, oranges, pinks....

Cool colors...think winter, icicles, water...blues, greens, purples...

COLOR STUDY - TAKE 1

First, we began by painting two ABSTRACT paintings.

One in only warm colors.  The second in only cool colors.

Next we wove the two painting together!

Here are some examples...