The City

For this project we used a 9 x 12 piece of drawing paper, pencils, black crayons, watercolors, and in some cases colored pencils.

First we read the book “Abuela” focusing on the patterns of the city shown in the story. To begin the project we went over color theory so that students did not mix complementary colors to make any muddy colors. We wanted the background to stay as bright and clear as possible.

Next we took water and with a large brush slathered water all over the page. We quickly took a pure watercolor and added lots of water to it in order to drip the color on the page. We used different colors dripping them next to, but not on, each other. The bleeding that occurred when the paint mixed with the paint it was next to was quite lovely.

After this background was dry we looked at the book again paying more attention to the pattern on the buildings.  Students were given a crayon to make the city.  Overlapping was an important concept that they included. Once the city was made the details and pattern were added. At this point Charlene asked if she could use colored pencil to make hers brighter as she did not like her background. I thought this was an excellent idea. And there you have it.

Here are some student reflections

What I remember about The City is us splashing the watercolors on the paper.  Then we used black crayon to make the buildings. After that we put details on the buildings.

                                          --Vanessa

A lot of people live in a beautiful city. I felt so good and excited doing the city. It was so much fun. This was my best artwork.

                                          --Jorge

We made the city using crayons, watercolors, and brushes. I choose the colors pink, blue, orange, purple, red and yellow. First, I drew the buildings. Then, I brushed and dripped on the color.  It reminded me of a sunset.

                                          --Gabriel

The city is bad and sometimes good.  Most of the time the city is fun.  It has lots of parks.

                                          --Jose B.

The city made me feel really bad because I didn’t do perfect like I wanted. When I started to do it I felt like I did not want to continue. I wanted to do another thing because the city did not look colorful like the O’Keeffe.

                                          --Michelle