Wednesday, September 13, 2017

filling like mister phil.

My 2nd graders have started the year by exploring how line can create shapes and patterns in art. To better engage my student artists, I shared the work of English artist Mister Phil. We looked for shapes and patterns in a number of his drawings and also talked about how art does not need to be serious all the time. We all agreed that Mister Phil's work seems a little silly! (And that is okay;) We also noticed how he filled larger implied shapes with  A LOT of shapes and patterns created with lines.



As we started, I reminded my students that we wouldn't be copying Mister Phil's work and we would use it as inspiration to create our own unique drawings.

We started off by experimenting in a couple practice drawings. I demonstrated drawing a large shape very softly in a rectangle. This shape was then filled with shapes and patterns of each student's choosing. I asked my artists to do at least 2 practice drawings. They then decided which one would be more interesting for a final drawing and put a check mark next to that particular sketch.

When they were ready to start on the larger drawing, I encouraged them to draw light until they had it right. I also reminded them that it was okay if their final drawing changed a bit from their original plan. As artists often do, they could revise and enhance their bigger drawings to make them even more successful than their sketches.

Once the pencil work was done, they could choose one color to trace their lines with. When adding color to the final drawings, students could use any colors they wanted and I reminded them that they could press hard and soft to make dark and light colors.











Once my artists were done with their drawings, I asked them to write Mister Phil a question regarding his artistic process. Here are a few of those questions-

"Mr. Phil, why did you become an artist?"
"Mr. Phil, how long does it take you to come up with ideas?"
"Mr. Phil, how did you get so good at drawing?"
"Mr. Phil, will you be my friend?"
"Mr. Phil, do you have a dog?"


4 comments:

  1. Mister Phil was kind enough to answer those questions above:)

    Thanks for your email and picking me as inspiration for your kids, I love what they have done! Looks like I've got some competition…

    I enjoyed reading the blog post, here are some answers to their questions…

    "Mr. Phil, why did you become an artist?"
    I didn't really choose to, I just enjoyed drawing and creating something from nothing and exploring my imagination. I did look up to other artists and that helped me think it was something I could be.

    "Mr. Phil, how long does it take you to come up with ideas?"
    I tend to just sit and draw, reacting to whatever comes out. I don't often have an idea before I begin.

    "Mr. Phil, how did you get so good at drawing?"
    I bet you know the answer to this already - practice!! Also I used to copy comic books when I was a kid. Just keep drawing and you will find your own thing, and you'll get good!

    "Mr. Phil, will you be my friend?"
    Sure. Can't have too many friends!

    "Mr. Phil, do you have a dog?"
    Yes. See attached…

    And I don't mind being called silly either. Glad you noticed.

    All the best
    Mister Phil
    image1.JPG

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  2. Mister Phil is an absolute delight! His infectious positivity and unwavering enthusiasm brighten every room he enters. Whether he's sharing his wisdom or cracking a joke, his genuine warmth creates an uplifting atmosphere. Mister Phil's kindness and charm make him a true joy to be around, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

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  3. Hey ShineBriteZamorano community, I've been exploring the theme of uncertainty in art lately and stumbled upon some incredible visuals that perfectly capture the essence (uncertainty images). The interplay of light and shadow, much like the discussion here, resonates with the uncertainties we encounter in our creative journeys. In particular, I found inspiration from the post and the insightful comments from fellow artists. Uncertainty, much like Mister Phil's journey, adds a unique flavor to our artistic endeavors. Let's embrace it and continue shaping our narratives. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how uncertainty influences your creative process!

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