Marcia

Marcia

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

Old School Throwback!– with YOUR LINKS

Colorful abstract cityscape with tall buildings, black ladders, squares, and dots against a blue, green, and red background.

Here is a an OLD lesson that I taught about 6 years ago at my previous school.   I think these turned out lovely.  These chalk drawings were inspired by the Pueblo dwellings of the Native Americans. We read about the…

Book Review 3

Illustration of a marching band performing with a large crowd of people holding colorful balloons in the background, adding a lively atmosphere.

Today I am going to share with you some pages inside the book Parade, by Donald Crews.  This book would be excellent to illustrate the idea of showing depth through overlapping.  The colors and pictures are so much fun!

New Stand Alone Page

Colorful and doodled "Happy" lettering with abstract patterns, flowers, and swirls on a white background.

I figured out how to make a stand-alone page for the art teacher directory!  If you haven’t added your’s yet, you must!  It needs to be an art teacher blog, however. I will delete it if it is something else. …

Clouds Watercolor Painting

A watercolor painting features green hills under a vibrant blue sky with clouds in shades of white and purple.

  I am taking a watercolor class this summer at the local recreation and parks department.  Our first real painting assignment was to paint a picture of clouds.  No, it couldn’t be just a white cloud on white paper.  This…

Ink Blowing with Straws

A child using watercolor paints on paper, creating abstract patterns with orange, pink, and purple colors by incorporating ink blowing techniques.

 Another fun activity we did at art summer camp was blowing ink with straws.  First, squirt out a bit of liquid watercolor (we did not dilute it at all).  Then, take a straw and hold it right above the ink…

Book Review 2

Open sketchbook with colorful, abstract drawings of whimsical creatures and patterns, held by a hand at the bottom—a visual delight.

Linda Barry combines funny comics, drawings, and text in a book for adults about how to get your drawing juices flowing.  There’s how tos are more for an adult who just wants to get started drawing.  Her own comics and…

Book Review 1

A hand holds a book open to a factory scene with workers and conveyor belts sketched in blue.

I love using children’s books in my lessons about art.  Even the older kids like being read to.  It’s a way to spark their interest in art, encourage a love of reading and make their learning connections much richer.  And,…