by Jennifer Barrett
I was having the worst day. I mean, it was the absolute worst. Nothing was going right with anything. On top of everything, the ice cream truck pulled up outside our building and kept blasting the same grating song over, and over again during, you guessed it, nap time. The nap. The holy grail of parenting. And now, this ice cream truck was responsible for robbing me of the one thing that could have gone right that day, an hour of me time.
First world problems, you might say. True, but you also know how important nap time is. Know what the cure is for days like these? Ice cream! Once your child is aware of the ice cream truck, forget about it. It’s a no-win situation. Just dig up some change, take your kid, and buy some ice cream from the same offender who caused this aggravating disruption. If you are lucky, your kid will fall asleep after consuming bacteria laden soft serve, and you get to finish the cone, because you “couldn’t just let it go to waste.”
Inspiration:
Everyone I have ever met loves ice cream. Searching for inspiration for art projects that are fun and lighthearted, there are some amazing drawings and paintings of ice cream as a whimsical subject of art.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Subject Focus: Ice Cream
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will create an ice cream treat, using various materials and methods.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Ice Cream Collage
• Bowl of ice cream (to eat after)
• Different colored papers
• Collage items, such as buttons, tissue paper, flower petals, or washi tapes
Draw a triangle on an 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper, then put two or three circles on top. Babies and toddlers can tear paper to collage into the ice cream cone drawing.
Add other collage elements to create the sprinkles.
Eat a bowl of ice cream after!
Older Kids: Ice Cream Observation Drawing
Artist Focus: Wayne Theibaud
Objectives: Older kids will create an observation drawing or value study of an ice cream cone before it melts.
Mess Factor: High
Suggested Materials:
• Bowl of Ice Cream or ice cream cone for observation, of course!
• Paints (watercolors, temperas, or acrylics)
• Paper
• Brushes
Older kids can create either an ice cream treat observation drawing, or value study painting.
For the observation drawing, kids must draw the ice cream treat quickly, before it melts! This is perfect for blind contour line observation drawing, where speed is of the essence. Kids “trace the outline of the ice cream cone with their eyes, while drawing what they see with their hand. They are not to look down at their drawing.
An extended project can be a value study in tints or shades of an ice cream cone. See the work of Wayne Theibaud for inspiration. Once kids draw the shape of the ice cream cone with many scoops, they can start with one color and add white to gradually tint each scoop. Similarly, they can add black to shade each scoop.
A variation of this project is to use one color of colored pencils to shade each scoop gradually lighter or darker.
(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 www.creativespacearts.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/460352393130650641/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210754457542036900/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295408056790756339/
http://egallery.phxart.org/view/objects/asitem/decadeRelated@7336/79/title-desc?t:state:flow=d18f926b-5b1b-4606-b4fd-ec0ac0be88f9
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/arts/design/wayne-thiebaud-retrospective-at-acquavella-galleries.html
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.
I was having the worst day. I mean, it was the absolute worst. Nothing was going right with anything. On top of everything, the ice cream truck pulled up outside our building and kept blasting the same grating song over, and over again during, you guessed it, nap time. The nap. The holy grail of parenting. And now, this ice cream truck was responsible for robbing me of the one thing that could have gone right that day, an hour of me time.
First world problems, you might say. True, but you also know how important nap time is. Know what the cure is for days like these? Ice cream! Once your child is aware of the ice cream truck, forget about it. It’s a no-win situation. Just dig up some change, take your kid, and buy some ice cream from the same offender who caused this aggravating disruption. If you are lucky, your kid will fall asleep after consuming bacteria laden soft serve, and you get to finish the cone, because you “couldn’t just let it go to waste.”
Inspiration:
Everyone I have ever met loves ice cream. Searching for inspiration for art projects that are fun and lighthearted, there are some amazing drawings and paintings of ice cream as a whimsical subject of art.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Subject Focus: Ice Cream
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will create an ice cream treat, using various materials and methods.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Ice Cream Collage
• Bowl of ice cream (to eat after)
• Different colored papers
• Collage items, such as buttons, tissue paper, flower petals, or washi tapes
Draw a triangle on an 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper, then put two or three circles on top. Babies and toddlers can tear paper to collage into the ice cream cone drawing.
Add other collage elements to create the sprinkles.
Eat a bowl of ice cream after!
Older Kids: Ice Cream Observation Drawing
Artist Focus: Wayne Theibaud
Objectives: Older kids will create an observation drawing or value study of an ice cream cone before it melts.
Mess Factor: High
Suggested Materials:
• Bowl of Ice Cream or ice cream cone for observation, of course!
• Paints (watercolors, temperas, or acrylics)
• Paper
• Brushes
Older kids can create either an ice cream treat observation drawing, or value study painting.
For the observation drawing, kids must draw the ice cream treat quickly, before it melts! This is perfect for blind contour line observation drawing, where speed is of the essence. Kids “trace the outline of the ice cream cone with their eyes, while drawing what they see with their hand. They are not to look down at their drawing.
An extended project can be a value study in tints or shades of an ice cream cone. See the work of Wayne Theibaud for inspiration. Once kids draw the shape of the ice cream cone with many scoops, they can start with one color and add white to gradually tint each scoop. Similarly, they can add black to shade each scoop.
A variation of this project is to use one color of colored pencils to shade each scoop gradually lighter or darker.
(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 www.creativespacearts.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/460352393130650641/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210754457542036900/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295408056790756339/
http://egallery.phxart.org/view/objects/asitem/decadeRelated@7336/79/title-desc?t:state:flow=d18f926b-5b1b-4606-b4fd-ec0ac0be88f9
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/arts/design/wayne-thiebaud-retrospective-at-acquavella-galleries.html
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.
