Learning to Draw – Life Drawing 101
Mastering Life Drawing: Building Confidence Through a Scaffolded Approach Life Drawing is the ultimate goal when it comes to learning how to draw. In my classes, I follow a scaffolded approach to teach drawing, building skills one step at a time. We start with Line Drawing, then progress to Shapes, Value, and finally Color. Each […]
How to Use Acrylic Paint: Acrylic Painting Strategies for Success
Acrylic Painting Strategies for Success: Building Confidence in Your Classroom Teaching acrylic painting to young artists requires careful planning to ensure an enjoyable and successful experience. From managing supplies to setting up classroom procedures, acrylic painting can seem overwhelming at first. But don’t worry—I’m going to walk you through some strategies that will give you […]
How to Spark Student Motivation in the Art Room?
The “Hang It Up” Method: A Game-Changer for Student Motivation Student motivation—how do you get art students motivated, interested, creating, and confident? It can be a real challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced, distraction-filled world. From cell phones to TikTok and Instagram, not to mention bathroom breaks and post-pandemic apathy, the battle for student engagement is […]
How to Keep Your Art Students Focused on Success
Strategies for Keeping Art Students Focused and Successful Teaching art can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to keeping students focused on success. In today’s post-pandemic, high-tech classroom environment, student engagement is often fleeting, and educators must work even harder to capture and maintain their attention. But fear not! As creative individuals, […]
How Soft Serve Ice Cream Can Improve Student Behavior in Art Class
Boosting Student Confidence and Behavior with the Soft Serve Ice Cream Drawing Using a simple soft serve ice cream drawing as a tool to improve student behavior might sound too good to be true, but it works wonders. By building drawing skills, we foster confidence in students, which leads to greater investment in their work. […]
Fostering Community in the Art Classroom Through Scrapbooking and Mixed Media Projects
Building Community in the Art Classroom: The Mixed Media Family Album In the vibrant world of art education, fostering a sense of community among students is essential. Beyond the strokes of a brush or the lines of a pencil lies an opportunity to cultivate collaboration, camaraderie, and connection. One innovative way to achieve this is […]
First Day of Art Class Activities: Building Community in Your Middle or High School Art Room
First Day of Art Class: Setting the Tone for Success The first day of art class plays a critical role in setting the tone for the rest of the semester. Making a strong first impression—both for you as the teacher and for your students—can shape the class dynamics, engagement levels, and community spirit. For the […]
Educator Self-Care 101
Self-Care for Teachers: Thriving, Not Just Surviving As educators, we pour so much of ourselves into our classrooms. We’re there to meet the needs of our students, cultivate creativity, and create an engaging environment—all while juggling countless other responsibilities. But it’s easy to forget one essential piece of the puzzle: taking care of ourselves. Without […]
Drawing Methods for Guaranteed Success in Your Art Class
Teaching Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Student Success Teaching middle or high school students how to draw can feel daunting, but with the right approach, it’s not only achievable—it’s a guaranteed success. For over 12 years, I’ve used a scaffolded method to teach drawing, and I can confidently say: everyone can learn how to draw. […]
Disco Ball Drawing Art for Beginner Artists | Beginning Resources
Get Disco Fever with Disco Ball Art Engaging middle and high school students in an acrylic painting project can be both exciting and challenging, especially when working with beginner artists. The Disco Ball Painting Project is perfect for introducing young artists to color theory, acrylic techniques, and classroom management in a fun and vibrant way. […]