I have tortured my students long enough with itsy-bitsy sized colored pencils that we have used for 2 years now. Unfortunately, new funding restrictions have limited my ability to afford them this year. Colored pencils are the perfect resource when teaching how layers of color can create new colors.
At my school, we have a wonderful mix of ethnicities, which makes for a unique art studio dynamic.
Most of my students enter high school with very little experience in the arts and the misconception that drawing and painting cannot be learned. After proving to them that all they needed was to build on their observational skills and to draw "what they see and not what they know" they end up becoming hooked on art and the creative process.
My Project
I am requesting Prismacolor Scholar colored pencil sets and toned drawing paper. The project is a high-contrast, colored pencil self-portrait in profile. The project will begin with an introduction to the Renaissance and the scientific discoveries made such as anatomy, that have led to its high achievements in lifelike art. (standard 3.1a/c) We spend a few days practicing how to draw the head, its features and their correct placement and proportions. (standard 2.1a)
Next, I will take photographs of each of my students using a single photoflood in 3/4 high side-lighting position with the students sitting in profile. This will create limited bright areas on the forehead, nose, upper lip, check and chin. I will demo the proper use of colored pencils, layering color and its burnishing issues as well as provide a step-by-step handout of a profile that I created. We will use a toned paper as our background to pop the brights as we begin layering and focus on a strong contrasting image.
These colored pencils will help over 200 students for the next two years.
They are a wonderful class resource for learning and discovering the subtle qualities of color and the importance of layering, which is a great lead into layering colors with watercolors.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Plettinck and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.