#3917. Earth, Air, Fire, Water

Art, level: Elementary
Posted Sun Feb 11 13:39:07 PST 2007 by Janet Adams (jadams@harborday.org).
Harbor Day School, Corona del Mar, CA
Materials Required: Legends of the World books, muslin & paper, oil pastel crayons, watercolors or watered down tempera
Activity Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hrs
Concepts Taught: Historical reference thru Legends, mixed media expression

Photos available through email

A legend from a foreign culture is read that emphasizes one of the ancient elements: earth, air, fire, or water.(there are many legends!)

1. The students draw images from the legend on practice paper.

2. They choose their favorite image(s) and transfer them freehand to the muslin using oil pastel crayons. Hint: press down hard with the crayons.

3. Using color in expressive ways, paint the entire piece of cloth with the watery colors of paint. The oil pastels will resist the paint and come shining through.

The formal qualities of the visual arts: line, color, shape, and pattern are very apparent in this lesson. The connection to literature gives an extra dimension.