Monday, April 25, 2016

Just Flange It!

Have a tube or something else that just won't connect? Flange it!

A flange is something that connects one thing to another. It is usually circular in shape. People use them on objects to strengthen the connection between two objects. Here's a metal flange.
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I'm going to show you how to make a paper flange!

1. You should have a paper roll and flat piece of paper.


2. Get a pair of scissors and cut slits into your roll. Do this evenly...here I did it about every 2 inches. (You don't have to be exact--just estimate where your next cut should be!)


3. Next, fold back the sections.




4. Now it's time to glue! Get yourself some glue and glue the underside of the flange.


5. It's time to attach! Make sure you hold down your flange to make sure it sticks!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

How to Start a Painting

You may think you just get out paint and paper and GO, but it's a little more complicated than that.

First, you need to:

  • Think about your plan.
  • Put down your idea on paper in the form of a simple sketch.
  • If you can't think of an idea
    • Get a book from the book shelf
    • Close your eyes and think
    • Make a list of things you like and dislike
  • If you're not sure of the details of the image, get a laptop from the laptop cart!
There are many ways to start a painting, and this is one.
1. Get a piece of nice, thick paper. (If you're paper isn't thick, it might rip because of too much water!)

2. Write your name on your paper and class code with pencil. This will be the back of your painting. (Don't write it with Sharpie or it will probably go through to the other side!)


3. Turn your paper over and, using a pencil, sketch out your painting. Draw lightly so it's easy to erase.

4. Paint your background first, and then the area around it. Your goal is to paint first and add details later.

5. Finish painting in the rest of the area (don't add details yet!).

6. Finally, it's time to add details!

Friday, April 22, 2016

An Artist Who Painted Frontier Life

George Caleb Bingham was an artist who lived in Missouri. He was born in 1811, just five years after Lewis and Clark returned from their journey.


George Caleb Bingham made money by painting portraits, but what he is known for today are his paintings of the American West.

There were not a lot of artists who lived in the Midwest or farther. Thus, we don't have a lot of paintings of what life was like at that time.

Here are some paintings of life in Missouri during that time.


This is called Fur Traders Descending the Missouri. Do you see that black thing on the end of the boat? What do you think it is?



George Caleb Bingham was also involved in politics and held a political office. His interest in politics is reflected in his Election Series.






Tuesday, April 19, 2016

One Man's Journey From Paint to Paper

Henri Matisse was an artist who originally worked with paint. Here are some of his paintings.





When he was older, he got sick. Because he was sick, he had to use a wheelchair. He found that it was too hard on his body to paint anymore.


This is when he decided to pick up a pair of scissors and cut paper. At first he kept this new art a secret because he was afraid of how people would react to it. Eventually, he showed his paper cutting. People loved it. It became a new type of art form--cut paper.


Here's a video about Henri Matisse and his paper cutting.
Tate Museum video about Henri Matisse Paper Cutting