Modest Modigliani & Me

 Modest Modigliani & Me

My sixth-grade artists were long overdue for a self-portrait lesson. Sixth graders, as we all know, are pretty self-conscious about their own “look,” so I thought they’d work well with Amedeo Modigliani’s style. His abstraction, the lack of emotion in his portraits, and his ability to finish in one or two sittings were drawing me to tackle this with them. This had sixth grade written all over it!

Before we started, we discussed how most portraits of his time were painted to look beautiful and noble; but he would paint them simply, sad, and using a modest color palette. People didn’t like his work of them at first, but he later became known as one of the 20^th century’s greatest artists. We talked color – we talked expression – we talked elongation – we peered into mirrors – we tried to muster up as much angst as we could – we dug out the oil pastels – and we ended up having fun! Yes, even the most reluctant among us had fun as was successful.

These are the best self-portraits that I have ever had a class do. There was no talk of them not “looking exactly like them,” that wasn’t in the planning, and I think it gave them the ability to go beyond the fact that they were the subject matter. With the elongated faces, cylindrical necks, almond shaped eyes, my students saw a new way to look at themselves. And in a way, as though Modigliani himself, were inspiring each of them…, to create without inhibition!

Kindergarten Magic Art

In the last few weeks of school, I teach a Kindergarten theme called Magic Art. Surprises and experiments are a fun end of the year way to keep students interested while teaching the elements of art. My students love combining literature and play with our art works.  Below are the lessons and books I use with the magic idea, along with the materials list. 

Abracadabra! Art is made.

Magic Line

Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson

White crayon resist with white oil pastel lines on white watercolor paper make a beautiful line base.  When students brush watercolor paint over the white crayon, it causes magic oohs and ahhs. You can add salt and lemon juice for more magic fun!



I am so thankful to have a kindergarten teacher who makes room for artwork outside of her classroom!

Tissue Paper Dye Spring Flowers

Beautiful Oops by, Barney Saltzberg (two art periods)

Apply tissue paper to large watercolor paper with brushes and water. The magic occurs the second art period when they peel away the tissue paper to reveal beautiful color. I gave them a long narrow piece of watercolor paper, and then a bigger piece of paper for a second artwork. I knew they would be done quickly with the first paper, and they were! It does make a large dyed mess, but I always have wipes on hand and you can protect tables before the project starts. You definitely need a large area to dry them.

Mouse Play Dough Mix

 Mouse Paint, by Ellen Stoll Walsh

I pass out the colored play dough two primary colors at a time. Many kindergarten students will mix them all up at once and make a brownish color. My goal is to make sure they could merge the two primary colors to make secondary colors. Of course, as they are squishing their play dough, we pretend they are little mice, mixing up their colors before the cat sees  them.