Vector Drawing

• Vector drawing is a type of drawing for the computer that uses shapes, rather than lines to create images.  

• This is the primary type of drawing now used for graphic and industrial design because it can be resized without losing resolution. 

• We need to teach this type of drawing now for because it is what are students will need in the future. 

• See Below for a complete Google Slides Introduction/Lesson and video instructions introducing vector drawing.   
• The IOS app that I used in the video is InkPad which was free at the time and now cost $1.00.  You can also use MyDesigner which is virtually identical, instead of InkPad. 

Click Here for a Rubric for the Vector Drawing Monster/Robot 

Upgraded iPad lesson

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold 

Her is a great lesson that I have upgraded using iPads in my school. Each of my students has their own iPad so this lesson works very well.   I've adopted this lesson from a traditional tar beach drawing lesson. I've use the iPad as a light board.

Materials needed
iPads with Google Map App installed
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
12 x 12 drawing paper with 2 inch borders
pencils
colored pencils
masking tape
a towel or piece of cloth
scraps of fabric
bottled glue

Why and How I flip my Art Class

This month I was asked by The Art of Ed  if I could share some insight on how and why I have flipped my classroom.  As you well know from reading this blog and/or visiting my YouTube page I have a lot to say about the subject.  This interview provides some basic insight and tip if you are interested in doing the same.   Thank you Johanna Russell for this wonderful opportunity to work with The Art of Ed.

Turn old markers into new water color paint - by Beth Koon

Over course the year as the markets run out students can collect markers in a marker recycling box.  When the box gets full have students sort out the markers into similar colors.  Once you have about 20 or 30 markers of the same color you can start extracting the ink for the markers and turn it into liquid watercolors.  Brand-name does not really matter so long as they are pretty much the same color.

Using a pair of pliers pop off at the back of the marker

I use a weaving needle and poke it into the foam middle part of the marker to pull it out. You could also use a clay needle tool or take it out with pliers; whatever works for you, works.

Once again use your pliers and pull out the tip.  For most colors you are able to use the tip, however I have found that with yellow the color is too light and is mixed with other colors so most of the tips are not able to be used. Also if the marker is too old the tip will just crumble so don't worry about getting those.

Once you've extracted all of the cores of marker, rubber band them together. Then slipped a craft stick underneath the rubber band so that it will suspend in your cup of water.

 

The cores must be suspend in the water. If the cores are submerged in the water then the water will not draw the ink out.

I use jars from Country Time Lemonade powder mix but you can probably use any cup that will accommodate approximately 20 ounces of water.

Be sure to run cold water over the marker cores into an empty cup this will help to push some of the ink down and out.

Place the tips in a baby food jar full of water.

Leave the cores and tips to soak in the water for about a day and a half. Be sure to squeeze the cores out to get the last bit of concentrated ink out.  This will get ink all of your hands so if you don't want ink stains on your hands, use gloves.

I typically end up with 2 to 4 L worth of liquid watercolors every year. See below for examples of what the paint looks like when used by students.  

Sophia 4th grade 

Elijah 4th grade

Libby 2nd grade

Macallister 2nd Grade

A Playlist of One Day Projects

For those days when you need an emergency sub or just one extra project for a class that gets ahead of the other sections here are some simple one hour long projects for elementary.

Remember you can see all my video on my YouTube Channel at TheAwesomeArts