Texture

Today in art, we spent some time discussing the art forms, our art portfolios and texture. More specifically, we spent a lot of time on texture and the different ways texture can be represented. We began the day by putting together our portfolios with paper tape and then we began learning about the 5 different types of texture that we would be exploring. We were shown 5 different forms of texture and had to choose 3. I chose rubbings, wallpaper and magazines that offer a visual texture. We were then instructed to draw 3 shapes, 1 small, medium and large. From there we had to use the shapes that we created and cover them with our desired materials. I chose to do a heart, a triangle and a abstract shape. I covered the heart in a magazine clipping that looked like textured nylons, the triangle in rubbings from a textured piece of plastic, and the abstract shape was filled with wallpaper. After we had all finished our 3 shapes, we were instructed to create an insect with what we created. I found this quite difficult in the beginning because I did not create my shapes with the intention of making an insect. I was able to eventually think of something that looked nothing like a real insect, but it allowed me the artistic freedom to create something unique, which I called the “Rhinosect”. I found this activity to be very fun as it allowed me and my peers to be more creative and think outside of the box with using a variety of materials, shapes and colours. This would be a great activity for students as it makes them create something out of the ordinary that looks unusual but unique to themselves and their creative process. My favourite texture that I used in class was the wallpaper clippings, I chose to use all of the floral textured wallpaper as I thought it was the most beautiful. I received a lot of compliments from my peers on my wallpaper and a lot of them asked to share. From this lesson, It was another reminder that when students are creating art, it needs to be fun, creative and give the option for individuality. Due to the class not receiving the instruction of creating an insect from the beginning, it allowed for us to create new and innovative art, instead of everyone creating the same bee, butterfly or ladybug that you would typically see. Had I known that I had to create an insect, I would have definitely created different shapes and made a simpler choice in my designs, but I am very glad that didn’t happen as I got to create something I could have never imagined before. This would also be great for students who struggle in art or always feel the need to compare their work to their peers or the teachers. With this activity there is no sample or right or wrong way to make your insect, which can help increase students attitude and ability. In the future, I would absolutely use this activity in my classroom as it promotes positive growth in the students ability to create art individually and it allows for them to get a hands on lesson with different types of texture to ensure for a concrete understanding.