by Jennifer Barrett
Stained glass has been around for ages, with the first works dating back to the 7th Century in England. As it developed as an art form, more colors and detailed subject matter became available. The colored glass is held together with lead.
Since lead and glass are not ideal materials with which to work with children, here are some ideas for creating a stained glass window effect.
To keep the transparent effect, tracing paper works well. Add bright markers as the “stain”, Sharpie for the “lead”, and you will have a low-mess stained glass work of art to hang in your window to celebrate spring.
Inspiration:
A nature walk with your child leads to a surprise bouquet of flowers designed and expertly plucked by them, from the sidewalk flowers and trees in Brooklyn. You are now inspired to draw this lovely bouquet, and so are they. Drawing flowers and nature lends itself well to the bright colors of markers and transparent paper. For this reason, nature is a popular subject for stained glass windows.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Technique Focus: Stained Glass Window Art
Mess Factor: Low.
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will design a transparent window design using a nature walk as inspiration.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids:
• Tracing paper
• Markers
After going on a nature walk, babies and toddlers can collect objects and trace them with bright markers on tracing paper. They can color them in as much as they can. Hang in the window with transparent tape to brighten up your home for spring.
Older Kids:
Suggested Materials:
• Tracing paper or wax paper
• Markers
• Pencils
• Sharpies
Older kids can create overlapping shapes inspired by springtime, tracing the original shape and repeating it to create an all-over design on the tracing paper. Using the lighter colored markers first so as not to ruin the marker tips, kids will color all the areas in that they want in the lighter colors, gradually moving into greens, blues, and purples.
Kids can then outline the shapes in Sharpie marker to create the illusion of lead in the stained glass, making the lines as thick as they want.
Another method (see below) is to use different colored Sharpie markers on wax paper to create a stained glass effect. This is a great alternative if you have the colored Sharpies available. Faux stained glass designs can be realistic, abstract, grid shaped, etc. I suggested overlapping as a way of infusing another technique into the drawings.
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at stickyfingersartsupply.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
References:
http://stainedglassmuseum.com/briefhistory.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/376543218814989131/
Stained glass has been around for ages, with the first works dating back to the 7th Century in England. As it developed as an art form, more colors and detailed subject matter became available. The colored glass is held together with lead.
Since lead and glass are not ideal materials with which to work with children, here are some ideas for creating a stained glass window effect.
To keep the transparent effect, tracing paper works well. Add bright markers as the “stain”, Sharpie for the “lead”, and you will have a low-mess stained glass work of art to hang in your window to celebrate spring.
Inspiration:
A nature walk with your child leads to a surprise bouquet of flowers designed and expertly plucked by them, from the sidewalk flowers and trees in Brooklyn. You are now inspired to draw this lovely bouquet, and so are they. Drawing flowers and nature lends itself well to the bright colors of markers and transparent paper. For this reason, nature is a popular subject for stained glass windows.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Technique Focus: Stained Glass Window Art
Mess Factor: Low.
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will design a transparent window design using a nature walk as inspiration.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids:
• Tracing paper
• Markers
After going on a nature walk, babies and toddlers can collect objects and trace them with bright markers on tracing paper. They can color them in as much as they can. Hang in the window with transparent tape to brighten up your home for spring.
Older Kids:
Suggested Materials:
• Tracing paper or wax paper
• Markers
• Pencils
• Sharpies
Older kids can create overlapping shapes inspired by springtime, tracing the original shape and repeating it to create an all-over design on the tracing paper. Using the lighter colored markers first so as not to ruin the marker tips, kids will color all the areas in that they want in the lighter colors, gradually moving into greens, blues, and purples.
Kids can then outline the shapes in Sharpie marker to create the illusion of lead in the stained glass, making the lines as thick as they want.
Another method (see below) is to use different colored Sharpie markers on wax paper to create a stained glass effect. This is a great alternative if you have the colored Sharpies available. Faux stained glass designs can be realistic, abstract, grid shaped, etc. I suggested overlapping as a way of infusing another technique into the drawings.
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at stickyfingersartsupply.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
References:
http://stainedglassmuseum.com/briefhistory.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/376543218814989131/
