Festive Fabulousness Guaranteed in Your Art Classroom
As teachers, we’re constantly reflecting on our lessons and student progress. Whether it’s planning, teaching, or reviewing a unit, we always find ourselves asking key questions:
- Before the unit begins: “What do I want them to learn?”
- During the unit: “How will they learn it?”
- After the unit: “How will I know if they actually learned it?”
Now let’s talk about a holiday art project that hits all the right notes—White Colored Pencil on Black Paper. This fun, festive, and engaging drawing project uses holiday bows as the subject matter, allowing students to master the concept of value while getting into the holiday spirit.
The Art Teacher Revelation: High Contrast Holiday Bow Drawings
This project emerged from my ongoing quest to find fresh, engaging ways to teach value. I found myself inspired while browsing the aisles of TJ Maxx (aka “The Mothership”), and I came across some holiday bows. Cue the Art Teacher Revelation!
Suddenly, I had a vision of holiday bows hanging in my classroom and hallway, with students excited and engaged in a unique, festive art project.
White Colored Pencil on Black Paper: The Basics
This holiday drawing project is part of the High Contrast Drawing Unit, which is the fifth lesson in my 6-part scaffolded drawing approach. By this point, students are familiar with composing images using basic shapes and have a strong understanding of value, value transitions, and value placement.
Materials and Media
- Paper: Black construction paper (Tru-Ray brand works great)
- Pencils: White colored pencils (Prismacolor for the brightest whites, but Crayola works too)
Steps
- Contour Drawing: Begin by lightly sketching the bow using simple shapes (mostly triangles). The contour drawing is kept light because the goal is to shade the outlines away and create a 3D form.
- Value Transition: Use white colored pencils to add value, creating highlights and shadows that give the bow a reflective, silky appearance.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Before diving into the final project, practice with a White Colored Pencil Sphere and a smaller practice project (like a balloon dog or origami) to master value transitions with the new medium.
Project Details
- Reference Photos: 3.5×3.5-inch images of holiday bows
- Final Drawing Size: 10×10 inches (with a 1-inch border)
- Time:
- On a block schedule: 5-6 classes
- On a period schedule: 9-10 classes
For detailed lesson plans to teach high-contrast drawing, visit Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT.
Flexibility for Different Skill Levels
I provide reference images with 4-part, 9-part, and 16-part grids to suit different skill levels in the classroom. This allows for choice between the Quadrant Method or the Shape Method:
- Students who need more support can use a grid to keep their proportions correct.
- Advanced students can freehand their drawings using shapes.
Classroom Management: Hang the Work in Progress!
I’m a huge fan of displaying students’ work daily as it progresses. This not only motivates them but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership. Each class has a designated section of the wall where they hang their work at the end of each period, making it easy to take attendance and evaluate progress.
Grading and Rubrics
I use a simple half-sheet project-specific rubric for this project. It covers essential skills, such as:
- Drawing Skills: Proportion and scale (especially when scaling up the drawing twice)
- Colored Pencil Application: Burnishing techniques
- Value: Proper value transitions to create a realistic form
- Attention to Detail: Includes work ethic and care
For ready-made rubrics and grading templates, check out Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses.
Student Success and Confidence
This project builds student confidence and mastery in creating value with white colored pencils. The excitement students feel as they see their simple shapes turn into glowing, 3D holiday bows is priceless. It’s a cost-effective, engaging, and confidence-building lesson that works for all skill levels.
Wrapping It Up (No Pun Intended!)
This holiday bow drawing project is not only fun but also a perfect way to integrate value and shading techniques in your classroom. Plus, it’s a fan favorite! The confidence students gain from mastering these skills will carry them through more challenging projects, like Funny Bonz Animal Portraits and Drama and Light Self-Portraits.
Explore More Resources and Stay Connected
1. Shop Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT
Looking for ready-to-use tools to take your classroom or art program to the next level? Visit Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT for exclusive resources, including high-contrast drawing lessons, project templates, and scaffolded curriculums. Empower your teaching with practical, high-quality resources that save you time and make a lasting impact!
2. Learn with Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses
Want to dive deeper into teaching strategies, classroom management, or creative project planning? Check out Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses for step-by-step lessons and actionable advice. Start learning today and feel confident as you guide your students to success!
3. Follow Mrs. T Fox on Social Media
Stay inspired and up-to-date with the latest tips, resources, and behind-the-scenes highlights by following @mrs_tfoxresources on Instagram. Join a community of like-minded educators and discover fresh ideas to spark creativity in your classroom!
Join the Fun!
If you’re looking for more project ideas, teaching tips, or free art teacher resources, join my email list for The Weekly Fabulousness Newsletter! It’s packed with resources and inspiration to keep your classroom fresh and exciting.
Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you a holiday season filled with creativity and success in the art classroom.
Tiff 🙂
