Drawing Tools
This project was compiled
using material from
lessons by artists Laura Ni
Fhlaibhín and Clare Breen.
Project aim: to learn about materials and mark making. Children will be challenged to create their own original drawing tool, using a range of natural and discarded materials. Students will be reminded of the creative possibilities in making their own tools, rather than buying drawing tools and contributing to consumption of plastics etc. Children will then experiment with drawing with their tool, using inks or deleted paint. The fun and inventive potential in developing a sustainable outlook will be developed in this project.
Duration: 2 lessons, 60 mins each
Suitability: suitable for all class levels
Materials:
-Masking tape and or/duct tapes in a range of bright fun colours (one roll for every 4 students)
- Tree Branches and twigs of many sizes- (at least one for each student)
- A range of natural materials-leaves, feathers, sponges, shells,
- Discarded materials-old tea towels, milk carton lids, old toothbrushes, old cutlery, plastic food packaging, polystyrene etc.
- Scissors
- Ink or classroom poster paints mixed with water,
- A selection of paper-old wallpaper, wrapping paper, cereal boxes, non-texture cardboard etc.
- Old, clean yoghurt pots as containers.
Project aim: to learn about materials and mark making. Children will be challenged to create their own original drawing tool, using a range of natural and discarded materials. Students will be reminded of the creative possibilities in making their own tools, rather than buying drawing tools and contributing to consumption of plastics etc. Children will then experiment with drawing with their tool, using inks or deleted paint. The fun and inventive potential in developing a sustainable outlook will be developed in this project.
Duration: 2 lessons, 60 mins each
Suitability: suitable for all class levels
Materials:
-Masking tape and or/duct tapes in a range of bright fun colours (one roll for every 4 students)
- Tree Branches and twigs of many sizes- (at least one for each student)
- A range of natural materials-leaves, feathers, sponges, shells,
- Discarded materials-old tea towels, milk carton lids, old toothbrushes, old cutlery, plastic food packaging, polystyrene etc.
- Scissors
- Ink or classroom poster paints mixed with water,
- A selection of paper-old wallpaper, wrapping paper, cereal boxes, non-texture cardboard etc.
- Old, clean yoghurt pots as containers.
Integration Opportunities:
- Literacy: children can write the procedural steps involved in the creation of their drawing tool.
- History: Stone Age: students can gain inspiration from Stone Age tools and making processes.
- Green Schools: collection reusable materials, plastic waste streams.
Tips:
Students and the wider school community can be asked to gather a range of natural and discarded materials for the weeks leading up to this project. A large cardboard box is useful to collect the materials.
- Lay out the materials on a spare table or two, or on the floor. Explain the expectations for the lesson; students are welcome to explore the materials but must keep them tidy for others to enjoy.
- Large plastic water bottles can be used to store the tools in between lessons- carefully cut the bottle in two, mindful of any sharp plastic.
- You can make up your own story line for the warm-up exercise in lesson 1. Just make sure to include lots of changes in pace. (Encourage them to create texture with their pencil/ pastel to mimic the energy of the story.)
- For lesson 2 old wallpaper is really useful for large scale drawings and can also often be found in charity shops. Roll out a large section (2-3 metres) of the plain reverse side of the wallpaper and generously secure with lots of masking tape. I ask students to help me in preparing the rolls on the ground. Masking tape can just be torn off by hand rather than using scissors.
- Black drawing ink can be used but regular classroom poster paint, diluted with a little water is perfect too.
- This activity is wonderful for outdoors weather permitting, with the wallpaper rolls taped to the ground.
- An unusual and eye-catching classroom display can be created by hanging the drawing tools with strings.
- Literacy: children can write the procedural steps involved in the creation of their drawing tool.
- History: Stone Age: students can gain inspiration from Stone Age tools and making processes.
- Green Schools: collection reusable materials, plastic waste streams.
Tips:
Students and the wider school community can be asked to gather a range of natural and discarded materials for the weeks leading up to this project. A large cardboard box is useful to collect the materials.
- Lay out the materials on a spare table or two, or on the floor. Explain the expectations for the lesson; students are welcome to explore the materials but must keep them tidy for others to enjoy.
- Large plastic water bottles can be used to store the tools in between lessons- carefully cut the bottle in two, mindful of any sharp plastic.
- You can make up your own story line for the warm-up exercise in lesson 1. Just make sure to include lots of changes in pace. (Encourage them to create texture with their pencil/ pastel to mimic the energy of the story.)
- For lesson 2 old wallpaper is really useful for large scale drawings and can also often be found in charity shops. Roll out a large section (2-3 metres) of the plain reverse side of the wallpaper and generously secure with lots of masking tape. I ask students to help me in preparing the rolls on the ground. Masking tape can just be torn off by hand rather than using scissors.
- Black drawing ink can be used but regular classroom poster paint, diluted with a little water is perfect too.
- This activity is wonderful for outdoors weather permitting, with the wallpaper rolls taped to the ground.
- An unusual and eye-catching classroom display can be created by hanging the drawing tools with strings.