In my art education studio class this week, I set up a technique table and composition challenge for our shared studio time together. All around the workstation, I included various tools Corita described in the chapter - stamps, printing plates, and various mark making tools like makers, chalk pastels, and colored pencils. I did a brief overview of techniques I was looking for - composition and printing "an emphasis on turning out a professional quality product." Then I handed a stack of (10) 6x6" pieces of heavy hot-press paper and gave students 50 minutes to complete 10 artworks, oh and each had to have at least three different media/techniques used. This was meant to be challenging. By pushing a time frame, my goal was to get my students diving into the techniques and making - they did not have time to overthink.
Following the "creating" portion of class, we ended the class period on the analyzing. Putting into practice what Corita shared are "opposite procedures" (p. 121). We first discussed the structure of the creative exercise, we analyzed how the challenging constraints of needing to create (10) compositions helped students get right to their tools and in a more explorative mood. Excellent, that was my plan. Next, our conversations led to analyzing their mini-compositions, which everyone felt pretty proud of. We looked for connections between them all and analyzed parts they'd like to continue exploring in their visual journals.
In my own creative pedagogy, I operate with the belief that creativity works within each of us, in so many infinite ways. There are many ways to express one's creativity, this means all of my students are full of creative potential with or without mastering the drawing technique I teach them. However, I've found there's a magic element of figuring out your creativity when a drawing utensil is in your hand. This is why art rooms and experiences with art making are so important in the learning process for humans young and old. These tools (pencils, paintbrushes, paint, i.e.) are extensions of our thinking and the art teacher shows you the techniques for connecting them.
creative exercise: composition challenge
In this creative exercise, I want to invite you to just go for it. Like the class I set up, lay out your favorite mediums onto a table. You can start with whatever you have, just make sure you have some variety (pencils, pens, stamps, collage items, i.e.). For each composition you complete, I want to challenge you to include at least three different mediums or techniques - this will help make them more exciting.
Your goal here is to make as many mini-compositions as you can in a timeframe. Try to not overthink if they are “good” or not, this is more about your process of tools and techniques. It’s also to have fun just putting materials onto paper - that art teacher magic I was describing :).
Art Teacher Tip: It helps to cut a stack of paper the same size to complete this exercise. In my exercise, I gave each student (10) 6x6 inch pieces of heavy drawing paper.
timeframe: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour
materials: visual journal and collection of materials.
steps:
Lay out all of your materials.
Set a timer for however long you can play.
Start making!