CHARLEY HARPER PAPER CUTOUTS

In this project, students look at the work of artist Charley Harper and create their own works of art using Harper's as inspiration.

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Students viewed and responded to images of Charley Harper's artwork. Students exchanged ideas about what they believed his work to be about and how it might have been created. After viewing the artwork, students were able to create their snowy backgrounds by using a splatter painting technique. 

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On the 2nd day of the project, students made their textured birch trees by learning to paint with cardboard! They applied thin layers of black paint onto white paper using the cardboard, and then cut out individual tree trunks later. I think it is always great to incorporate non-traditional methods of using paint and other art supplies in the classroom.

 

In the 3rd part of the lesson, students created their own cardinal birds by cutting and pasting paper onto the birch tree backgrounds.

Students reviewed the work of Charley Harper to see how he creates birds using simple geometric shapes. Students were encouraged to create their own bird designs or use a template to make things a little simpler. This project was challenging but rewarding for the 1st grade students.