Fun Icebreaker ActivitiesThese collaborative art games are some of my favorite ways to kick off the school year, they make fun icebreaker activities especially when class periods are short and you’re just starting to meet your students. These activities are: fun, low-pressure, and they get kids talking, laughing, and creating together right away. I’ve found that starting with these kinds of playful exercises helps set the tone for a positive classroom environment and helps to dispel any nerves around making art. Some of these games take a little more prep than others, so I’ve included approximate time estimates to help you plan. I usually pick based on how much time I have and how much setup I’m up for that day.  Handshake Drawing (10–15 min, 2–3 students)This quick and silly drawing game is always a hit on Day 1.
Students usually start laughing right away, and the results are always charming and strange. When they finish the basic form they can add details and even name the creatures they created. Walk around and encourage students to have fun with the details and names and get to know your students a bit as they work. Finish up with a gallery walk with the creatures on display on the tables. This is something I typically do on the first day with students, to see my full first day plan check out this blog post. Materials:
 Exquisite Corpse (15–30 min, 3–5 students) Exquisite Corpse (Fantastic Figure) is a classic surrealist game that’s great for sparking creativity and building connections. Students sit in groups of 3 or 4 and create a creature together, one section at a time. Each student draws part of the body (head, torso, legs), folds the paper to hide their drawing (leaving just a few connector lines), and passes it to the next person. I like to use markers only (no pencils) to encourage spontaneity and commitment. Once the creature is revealed, each group does some character development and writes a short description about their creation: name, special traits, backstory, goals in life, etc. Here's a free slideshow with all the details about this activity you can use right away with your students just make a copy to your own Drive to be able to edit: Exquisite Corpse Google Slides It’s a fun, collaborative game that gets students laughing and sharing ideas without any pressure to make something perfect. Materials:
 Bilateral Mirror Drawing (20–30 min, 2 students)This partner activity is calm and focused, and the results are always beautiful. Each pair shares one sheet of paper and sits across from each other. One person leads by drawing lines or shapes, and the other mirrors their movements. They take turns, then build on the drawing by adding textures, colors, or details. I prep this one in advance by cutting large pastel paper in half and setting up a materials table with chalk pastels, oil pastels, and charcoal. I also pre-tear blue painter’s tape so students can tape down their paper to the table. Let the students decide how structured or loose they want their drawing to be. Some will plan things out, others will go with the flow...both approaches work great, the point is communication, working together and connection. If you'd like to read more about this activity I have a full blog post here and a Youtube video where you can see the process and how to extend this activity into a larger lesson on the Elements of Art (👈 click for a free slideshow) Materials:
 Marker Madness (10–15 min, 3–5 students)This group drawing activity is all about teamwork and coordination. I've heard it called a few different things but "Marker Madness" is the one that sounded the most fun, which I got from the blog: The Idea Room. Each group of 3 to 5 students shares one marker, which has multiple strings attached. Each person holds a string, and together they try to guide the marker to create a drawing. I tape large piece of paper (cut from my classroom paper roll) to the table and usually project a simple image for them to “copy." A simple line drawing works best, I chose a cartoon version of the school mascot and it worked well. It never turns out quite like the original, but the process gets students laughing and working together right away. Materials:
 Art Class IcebreakersThese collaborative games are a great way to kick off your art classes with creativity, connection, and spontaneity.
Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or a full half hour, each activity helps students loosen up, get to know each other, and start thinking like artists from day one. They also give you a chance to observe how students interact, create, and problem-solve I often use these activities as a way to get a quick read on the personalities I have in the room. If you try any of these in your classroom, tag me on Instagram @artfulideasclassroom ! I’d love to see what your students create!
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As an art teacher, you probably know the heartbreak of discovering a favorite material has been discontinued. It always seems to catch me off guard mid-supply order, sending me into a frantic search across dozens of websites…only to realize it’s truly gone. For years, I relied on the Melissa and Doug Scratch Art Paper for my Scratchboard Hybrids lesson. It had the perfect surface: matte black, not too delicate, easy to scratch cleanly without creating accidental marks. I also really like their metal scratchboard tools and metal tipped wooden stylus tools. But then one day I received a message from a fellow art teacher online saying that the link I provided in the materials list for the scratchboard lesson no longer worked. I assumed it was an error on my part but then when checking the link I realized that my favorite scratchboard materials were really gone for good. I decided to take a (quick) journey to find a good alternative scratchboard paper for my art classes. Here’s what I discovered. I do share some Amazon links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you.) That said, I am not in collaboration with any of these brands; I’m simply sharing what I found and what I plan to use in my classes this fall.  Student example from our Scratchboard Hybrids project Scratchboard Art Papers: Not All Created EqualOver the years I’ve ordered my share of unusable scratchboard art papers. I found that some were way too thin and flimsy, some scratch way too easily, and arrive already covered in scratches and marks. While others barely scratch at all and it is difficult to create markings without damaging the surface underneath. I knew I had to test a few for myself before updating my materials list or making a materials order for this project again. I typically order from Blick and Amazon Prime (our school has an account which has come in handy with the fast shipping!) so I decided to start with Blick since it is an art specific supplier. On Blick I searched and found a brand called Inovart Skratch N' Sketch Scratchboards (yes, that is the way they spell scratch in the product name) that was in my budget and that at first looked promising... But before purchasing, I read the reviews…and they weren’t exactly glowing. There were 43 product reviews (which is a large number for a product on Blick) and of those reviews 40 of them were one star reviews. Reading through the text I read a lot of messages like this: “DON'T BUY THE INOVART PRODUCT. IT IS A WASTE OF YOUR MONEY AND YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED.” So I didn’t purchase this brand to try, it seemed way too risky... I decided to turn to Instagram and ask fellow art teachers what they were using for scratchboard paper. As always, the community came through with a few solid leads on Amazon, I ordered the two options that were suggested, and here’s what I discovered.  Gersoniel Scratchboards have a nice matte finish surface and are thick like card stock but when scratched produce a black dust that gets everywhere...something to consider when planning clean up with large groups of students Review of Gersoniel Scratch Paper Art Set (Amazon)The first brand I ordered is called the Gersoniel Scratch Paper Art Set on Amazon (US), it comes in multiple pack sizes to suit various needs and budgets. Gersoniel Scratch Paper Set:
Each sheet measures approximately 8.27" x 11.42", similar to the 8.5” x 11” Melissa and Doug sheets I previously ordered. The Gersoniel brand arrived quickly, and I was impressed with the feel right out of the package. It’s thick like cardstock with a matte black surface. However, some of the sheets had slight scratches along the edges but when I tested my fingernail on the material it didn’t scratch easily, showing the surface is not overly delicate The paper scratched well using the metal tools I already had, though I noticed that each mark produced a black dust, some of this dust settled in the lines I scratched and I had to go get a bristle brush to sweep it away as I worked. This is not a dealbreaker but something to consider especially if you have large classes and limited time and buy in for clean up. Also, each student would need a small brush to dust off the surface while working, otherwise it is difficult to see the marks being made. The wooden stick styluses included in the pack weren’t very useful for my purposes. They created thick, uneven lines and were difficult to control. While they might work well for an elementary group, they just don’t offer the level of detail high school students need for more refined scratchboard work. I created a small study of an animal eye (which is actually the skill builder activity for our Scratchboard Hybrids lesson). I was generally happy with the results it wasn’t as pleasant to work with as the Melissa and Doug Scratch Art paper since every scratch produced a small pile of dust. Here’s my overall thoughts condensed into a Pros/Cons list: Pros:
 Zocone brand scratchboard set came with what I thought was a metal stylus but it turned out to be a tool with a plastic tip that fell apart the first time I tried to use it. Review of ZOCONE Scratch Paper Art Set (Amazon)The next brand I tried is called ZOCONE Scratch Paper Art Set on Amazon. It is also similar to the dimensions of both Melissa and Doug and the Gersoniel brands at 8” x 11” per sheet. However, this brand offers fewer bulk ordering options and, puzzlingly, does not provide a discount for purchasing larger packs. ZOCONE Scratch Paper Art Set: 30-sheet black pack – $9.99
That said, the surface of the paper itself was actually the closest match I’ve found to the discontinued Melissa and Doug Scratch Art Paper. It scratched off in fine shreds, not dust, and felt smooth, sturdy, and satisfying to work on. None of the sheets were scratched around the edges, which was a nice improvement over the Gersoniel brand. The set also included a small bristle brush (handy for clearing away the shreds- for one student! lol) and a set of plastic stencils which might be fun for a child to use, but not something I’d use in a classroom setting. Here’s my Pros/Cons list for ZOCONE: Pros:
 Scratchboard ToolsWith the Melissa and Doug tools gone, I needed new options for styluses and scratchboard cutters. I found a few scratchboard cutter handles and nibs on Blick, one set was the same Inovart brand as the poorly rated scratchboard paper so I pressed on to explore different options. These tools from Essdee look the closest to the ones I previously purchased and what I like about them is you can purchase the cutter nibs separately from the handles (if you already have your own handles or need to just trade out the nibs) and you can order just one style of cutter in bulk if you would like. I’ve found that we only really need the pointed style which is called “style 1 or 2” in this brand. I’ve had good luck from this brand before when I purchased these (Essdee Lino Ink Trays) which I use as acrylic paint palettes in my advanced classes. If you want to try out all of the tools to see which ones to order for you class there is an Essdee Scratchboard Cutter Set on Amazon Prime for $11.15 that includes 5 assorted cutter nibs to test out. This is what I ordered to try before placing a bulk order on Blick. These tools made a big difference, especially when paired with the Gersoniel and Zocone paper. The line variation and detail they allowed reminded me of what I used to get from my old setup. Final Thoughts on Scratchboard Art MaterialsNeither Scratchboard paper I tested is exactly like the Melissa and Doug Scratch Art sheets, but they both come close enough.
For my next round of Scratchboard Hybrids, I’ll be using the ZOCONE scratchboard paper with the tools we already have but I will order a few of the specialty nibs from Essdee for students to try. The paper is reliable enough, and with the right stylus, students can still get that satisfying scratch and crisp line work that makes this lesson so engaging. But…if you are looking at cost effectiveness only the ZOCONE is more expensive per sheet $0.33 vs. approximately $0.19 per sheet if you order the 100 pack of Gersoniel (only approximately $0.14 per sheet if you order the 200 pack) If you’re looking for scratchboard ideas, I created this Scratchboard Hybrids project with beginners in mind, students love combining animals and sometimes human features to make surreal creatures, and the scratchboard medium makes it easier to create textures like fur, scales and feathers. You can find it here on TPT, and now you’ve got the scoop on how to make it work even without the Melissa and Doug originals. If you’d like to see my full FREE Art Materials Guide just click the link I’ve added these materials to the Scratchboard section. Advice for New TeachersI’ve been teaching art for a while now, but I still remember what it felt like to be a brand new teacher...overwhelmed, excited to have my own classroom, and trying so hard to get everything right. Looking back, I can see now that I was doing my best with what I knew, but there were definitely a few things I wish I had understood earlier. If you're a new art teacher or even just reflecting on your own teaching journey here are three mistakes I made in my early years. My hope is that by sharing these, it might save you some stress and help you feel a little more grounded as you head into your school year.  17 years in and a lot has changed, I'm no longer the "young" teacher but I am so much more grounded. Mistake #1: I tried to teach like a veteran teacherWhen I was student teaching, I observed a lot of veteran teachers (including my master teacher) who had calm, laid-back classrooms where things just seemed to flow. Students managed themselves, there was minimal behavior correction, and everything seemed effortless. When I took over my master teacher's class the students behaved much the same way as when she had been teaching. There were minor disruptions but overall I was able to lead the class on my own without too much classroom management. So when I got my first teaching job I thought I didn't need the structure I had learned in my credential program…things like greeting students at the door and practicing procedures the first day, and instead went with a more relaxed approach. It backfired. Big time. It’s embarrassing to admit… but on that first day the students came into the room and sat wherever they wanted. I had no instruction on the board so students got the message they were there to socialize. That first week was awful, students talked over me, got up frequently to switch seats and tried to steer the class the way they wanted. I had given over my authority on the first day. What I didn’t realize at the time was that those experienced teachers had spent years building relationships and earning their students’ trust and as a student teacher, I was borrowing some of that respect simply by being introduced and supported by my master teacher in a classroom she had already cultivated. Veteran art teachers are known and trusted by students and have mastered the subtle cues that come with classroom presence and rapport. Without that foundation, my attempt at a casual classroom came across as chaotic and disorganized. What I learned: Students, especially in middle and high school, need to know you’re in charge before they can feel free to create. Structure is a kindness. Now, I always greet students at the door, set clear expectations, and teach routines explicitly before giving them more freedom. I realized students need to see their teachers in control, it allows them to relax and learn knowing they will be safe in the classroom environment. Now that I have 17 years of teaching under my belt I can loosen up my routines a bit more, but I still begin the school year with a few non-negotiable strategies. To read more about how I set up my classes for success on the first week of school check out this blog post.  Examples of the content rich and scaffolded lesson resources I created for my classes. Mistake #2: I skipped the skill buildingIn my first year, I was so excited to dive into projects that I often skipped the scaffolding. I’d demo a cool project, show some finished examples, and send students off to create. But then I’d feel defeated when students didn’t follow directions or mishandled tools and materials. The truth? I was setting them up to fail and I was setting myself up for frustration. I assumed students came into art class already knowing how to use basic tools like scissors, rulers, or glue sticks. I thought I was letting them get to “the fun part” more quickly, but really, I was overlooking how much support they needed. What I learned: Even high school students need time and practice to build foundational skills. Now I introduce techniques in bite-sized chunks. I demonstrate every skill then give students time to practice, play and explore, building in the complexity over time. Even though projects took much longer, the results were much more successful and students much more proud of their work. If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created curriculum resources that are ready to go with very little prep. They include all the scaffolding students need: step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and skill-building activities…so you can focus on teaching instead of reinventing the wheel. You can check them out here if you're looking for a way to simplify your planning. If you are teaching an introductory level class for high school or upper middle school I recommend this Intro to Art Lesson Bundle it has 6 of my favorite intro level lessons that require only basic materials if your art supply budget is tight. Community building is also a key component to creating a productive classroom environment. This partner drawing activity is one of my favorites to do with students to build community the first week of school.  Mistake #3: I let students have too much controlWhen I was a new teacher, I was one of the youngest teachers in the building (just a handful of years older than the students) and because of my youth I felt pressure to be the “fun” teacher. I wanted students to like me and I thought if the students were enjoying themselves, that meant I was doing a good job. So when students pushed back on structure…asking to control the class playlist, leave class a few minutes early to get to the lunch line or to switch seats to sit with a friend I often gave in. What I didn’t realize was that I was sending the message that I wasn’t in charge and that I wasn’t always fair. And when students don’t feel like their teacher is leading, they start testing boundaries in ways that make it hard to get anything done. What I learned: It’s possible to be a warm, fun and joyful teacher and still maintain clear boundaries, in fact your students will respect you more if you stick to the rules you set at the start of the year. Students thrive when they know what to expect and maintaining consistency and fairness is important in building trust. You will never be able to please everyone so set boundaries you can live with and stick to them. If you don't know where to begin with setting up your classroom routines...this is my favorite classroom management book to get you started. So if you're a new teacher...We all grow into our teaching practice over time. If you’re in those early years, know that it’s okay to make mistakes, and you will make mistakes. But I promise…it does get easier and it is absolutely worth it.
Something happens around year 3 and there is a shift and you will hit your stride, and sadly almost half of new teachers don’t stick around to feel that shift or to grow into their teacher confidence. You’ve got this…and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. If you'd like to get bi-weekly encouragement and tips and talk more join my email list, (and get your free syllabus planner) I promise I will never send you spam and I'd love to hear from you! Have you made one of these mistakes too? Or learned a different lesson the hard way? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments! Art Teacher Tips to Avoid BurnoutTeaching isn't easy...the myth of summers off getting home at 2pm and glorified babysitting are grossly inaccurate. It can be a grind! But after 17 years I can say with complete sincerity that teaching is worth it. There is nothing as rewarding as seeing students develop their art techniques, artistic voice and character in my class. So I would like to share some things I let go of so that I could keep going...for 17 years. These were pressures I put on myself, that didn't actually impact my students' success.  "Everyone needs to like my class" I teach high school art and at the high school level students can choose their own elective classes. Because of this, sign ups can feel like a bit of a popularity contest. At the first school where I worked there were those art electives that were really popular (ceramics, photography) and I always worried that my classes couldn’t compete and would not get enough sign ups to fill all the sections. I felt like I had to win over all the students by making my classes the “fun art classes” I scoured Pinterest to find the trending art projects and sought student feedback to try to tailor the curriculum to fit their interests. But when I read the responses there was no consensus. Students liked and disliked different projects and there really was no way to please everyone. When a student would drop my class to take another elective or to have a free block I took it personally. I would wonder what about the classroom environment or curriculum caused them to drop. When I visited the classrooms of my colleagues I tried to figure out what they were doing that made their classes so popular and tried to emulate that in mine (popular music playlists, free choice fridays, candy rewards, always opening my classroom at lunch and after school) I tried it all…but students still dropped my class.But the reality was that I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Not every class is for everyone. Most of the schedule changes had nothing to do with me as a teacher and even the ones that did were out of my control. My job is not to please every kid, and this is actually impossible. The project one student loves is the one another thinks is boring. Once I realized this and decided just to be myself and show up each day with intention and care I felt a shift. Whenever a student complained about the class or dropped I just said to myself - this class is not for everyone. And simplifying my routines and not trying to always chase the next “fun” idea, popular project or emulating what the rockstar teachers were doing at my school saved me from burning out. I also think that my attitude was much more relaxed and this actually helped my students enjoy my class more. Instead of trying to cater to everyone I was just myself. I leaned into my experience as an artist and my passions. I even started bringing in my old sketches and printmaking projects from college to show my advanced classes. And ironically as I became more comfortable with my own teaching style and approach the more popular my classes became. I still have students drop my classes and I still have students who complain about the projects and assignments but now I can let it go and focus on teaching.  I keep one storage box of art project examples, what doesn't fit I let go "I need to return all student artwork" When I was growing up, I took a lot of pride in my artwork. I remember a few times feeling really upset when a piece went missing or didn’t make it home from art class. For years, I projected that same sense of attachment onto my students, going to great lengths to make sure every piece of art was returned. In my first several years of teaching, I agonized over returning student work. I’d stay late after school to accommodate students who didn’t want to risk putting their art in their lockers. Inevitably, they wouldn’t show up, and I’d end up spending my precious lunch minutes tracking them down in the lunchroom. I kept a running list in my head of whose work was still in my room and found myself nagging students in the hallway. I’d shuffle heavy folders from table to cabinet to storage bin as we switched between media, each time reading a student’s name and feeling responsible for returning that “precious” work. Except… it wasn’t my responsibility. One year, after the last week of classes, I walked past the custodian pulling a huge cart of recycling. In that heap, a drawing caught my eye. It was a self-portrait a student had spent hours creating and that I had spent time carefully returning. And now, there it was, tossed in with old history notes and crumpled post-its. It was a wake-up call. Not every student feels the same way about their work as I did. Not every student has the space to keep their art at home. Some don’t want to display it, or even show it to their family. And while that might make me a little sad, it’s not my job to make them see things the way I do. I still encourage students not to throw away their work. Lately, I’ve been suggesting they gift it to a favorite teacher; especially new teachers who are just starting to decorate their classrooms. I’ve seen several of those pieces proudly displayed in my colleagues' rooms. Now I keep the strongest pieces as examples. The rest…I let go.  "Everyone has to stay on pace" For years, I tried to keep all my students working at the same pace during projects. But that’s impossible. Some students have ambitious ideas, some struggle to get started, others miss class, and some rush through everything. Letting go of the idea that everyone needs to stay “on track” was incredibly freeing. Still, I needed strategies to keep the studio running smoothly. I teach high school, so I need deadlines for grading, a way to move through projects without materials chaos, and something meaningful for early finishers to do. Here’s what’s worked for me:
This has worked well. Students feel respected, I get advance notice, and I can plan accordingly. The only time passes can’t be used is at the end of the semester due to grading constraints. To accommodate that, I make the final project a "choose your own adventure" assignment. Students demonstrate their learning through a medium or theme we’ve explored, scaled to their time and energy. It’s not a perfect system. There are some students still turn in multiple projects late, but it sets a clear, flexible boundary that shifts responsibility onto them.
Since I’m not fully set up for the next project during that week, it doesn’t interfere with materials. This small shift has significantly improved on-time submissions and given me time to support absent students in catching up.  Examples of student sketches. Upper four are from one student who investigated portraiture the bottom two are from a student who investigated vehicle drawing.
Now, I start the semester with a take-home assignment: choose a theme for a personal sketchbook investigation. I use a slide deck to spark ideas, and their first sketch is both a class and homework assignment. When students finish early, they continue working on their sketchbook theme. Some have more time for this than others, but it becomes the basis for their final choice-based project. To assess the investigation, students select their favorite sketch to upload to their digital Google Slides portfolio. I use credit/no credit grading, and if a sketch stands out, I leave a personal comment.  "I have to grade sketchbooks" In my classroom, students create their own sketchbooks using book rings to bind together loose-leaf paper. This system keeps all their drawings, handouts, and planning sheets in one place. (You can check out this blog post for a step-by-step guide on how I set it up.) We begin each class with a drawing prompt that students complete in their sketchbooks. These sketchbooks are also used for project planning, free sketching, independent investigations, and skill-building exercises. As a result, students generate a large number of sketches throughout the semester. While many of the drawings were inspiring and gave me insight into my students, grading every page became exhausting and unsustainable. Now, I ask students to choose their top five favorite sketches and upload photos of them to their digital portfolios using Google Slides. I can leave comments directly on their slides, which makes the feedback more personal and manageable for me.  "We need to finish lots of projects" In my first year of teaching, I thought the best way to keep students interested was to get through as many projects as possible. I kept the pace fast, thinking that more projects meant more learning. By the end of the year, we had completed more than twice as many pieces as I do with my students now. But looking back, most of those projects were rushed. I didn’t yet understand how to guide students through a creative process that involved real depth. Over time, I’ve shifted my approach. Now, I’d rather go deep than wide. I build in time for skill-building lessons, discussion and partner shares, exposure to both art history and contemporary artists, and room for experimentation and idea development. I want students to understand that making meaningful art takes time and thought. Better to spend a few weeks developing one powerful, personal piece than to power through five assignments just to check a box. The slower pace not only supports better artwork, but creates space for students to reflect, take risks, and grow.  What Other Art Teachers Are Letting Go OfThis blog post was inspired by a reel I created for my Instagram account. I asked other teachers to share what they were letting go of and the responses were too good not to share! Trying to cram too much into short class periods. "I am about to implement letting go of squeezing too much into my small time pockets of art classes both weekly and projectwise." Feeling responsible for a system I didn’t create. "I am not responsible for the curriculum the government puts in place." Working beyond my contractual hours to keep up. "Working past my contractual hours." Trying to make every student love every project. "The results prove EVERY time that I cannot make everyone happy at the same time." Grading every single sketch. "Some semesters I’m marking/commenting on like almost 300 sketches per class..." Chasing the 'wow effect' in every project. "Not every project needs to result in a 'wow effect.' Beauty is more often found in a messy sketch." Aiming for perfection over progress. "Finished is better than perfect' and 'good enough is good enough." Taking things personally...including praise. “Never take anything, including *especially* adoration, personally. Good or bad, it’s probably not about you.” Demanding perfection from myself or students. “If you screw up, admit it, apologize, fix it, move on... and resolve to do better.” Reacting harshly or issuing rigid consequences. “Never threaten a specific consequence. Keep your options open.” 😆(I'm going to remember this one for my own kids) Locking students into hard deadlines. “I still have due dates, but they aren’t locked in — they’re flexible.” Judging the quality of art by its appearance alone. “It’s always about the process, never about how beautiful the end product is.” Overloading students with too many options. “Some projects are more successful with only two options. It’s about cognitive load.” Prioritizing finished projects. “It really isn’t the number of finished projects anymore... it’s how we use the time in class.” Feeling pressure to work in a school system that undervalues me. “Having a regular paycheck was cool, but being systematically underpaid wasn’t.” Requiring students to submit physical sketchbooks. “They photograph sketchbook pages and submit them digitally with their task sheets.” Avoiding vulnerability or apologies. “Apologize to kids the way you’d like to receive it, honestly and in the moment.” Let's Keep the Conversation GoingLet’s keep supporting each other as art teachers and continue the conversation. Letting go of the pressures we put on ourselves; the ones that don’t actually impact student success but do lead to burnout... can be incredibly freeing.
I'd love to hear what you're letting go of! Share in the comments below or join the Artful Ideas community on Instagram or Facebook.  Negative watercolor painting with three layers and analogous color scheme What is Negative Space in Art?I’ve been curious about negative space watercolor painting for a while now, ever since I came across some stunning examples online. But between lesson planning and the usual chaos of the school year, I hadn’t made the time to explore the technique myself—let alone turn it into a full-fledged lesson. Negative space is the area around and between the subjects of an artwork. Instead of drawing the object itself, artists focus on the shapes created by the empty space around it. In negative space watercolor painting, artists build up layers by painting around shapes rather than inside them. This reverse approach helps train the eye to see space differently and encourages careful planning and control of watercolor technique. Negative and positive space is a foundational concept I introduce early in my art classes, and I thought this activity could be a refreshing way to revisit that topic with a new medium. The technique also opens up opportunities to integrate lessons on color mixing and color theory. The idea of working “in reverse” to build up a composition in layers also connects beautifully to reductive printmaking—a nice lead-in to one of my favorite projects: Reductive Calaveras Printmaking. I’m a big believer in project-based learning. I love when a single activity can pull multiple techniques and concepts together in one hands-on experience. This lesson checked all those boxes, so it felt like the perfect addition to my curriculum.  Example of Positive/Negative Space leaf watercolor studies Negative Space Painting Techniques: Leaf StudiesIn the past, I’ve introduced the concept of negative and positive space with a fun drawing activity using Sharpies (Negative Space Lesson.) It’s quick, low-prep, and easy to execute with basic materials. But for this watercolor version, I wanted to add an observational element and give students the opportunity to develop their watercolor painting skills. We started by going outside, where each student collected three leaves of different shapes. I encouraged them to choose relatively simple leaf silhouettes since those would be the focal point of their paintings. Once back in the classroom, students created small observational drawings of their leaves—drawing each one twice. One version was used to paint the positive space (inside the leaf), and the other was used to paint the negative space (outside the leaf). They sketched lightly using a hard pencil (H or HB), so only a faint outline would remain visible in the finished work. I then demonstrated the wet-on-wet watercolor technique: laying down clean water first, then adding a diluted wash of color into the wet area. This allows the pigment to flow and settle evenly, and it naturally creates a clean edge thanks to the surface tension around the pencil outline. The result is a soft, smooth wash that still keeps its form. This small study helps students start to feel the difference between focusing on the object itself versus the space around it—and it gives me a low-stakes way to assess their comfort level with watercolor.  Watercolor MaterialsFor watercolor, I use different materials depending on the budget and class size. When funds are tight or I have a large group, I go with the Prang Watercolor sets*—I find these to be the best watercolor kits for beginners because they're affordable and get the job done. But when I have more money in the budget, I spring for the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Sets*. These are higher in pigment quality, offer better color payoff, and hold up well over multiple school years with careful use. For paper, I prefer Canson Watercolor paper*. It’s student-friendly and handles layering nicely. Each student uses about 1.5 sheets for this project. We use washi tape* to create clean borders—it lifts off easily and won’t damage the paper surface. The Prang Watercolor Sets come with a good quality brush but I also like to order some round and flat brushes, these Simply Simmons brushes are affordable and the synthetic bristles hold up well with classroom use. (*as an amazon associate I earn a small commission from purchases using this link)  Students working on their watercolor chart and swatch studies Color Scheme Planning for WatercolorBefore diving into the final painting, we create a simple color wheel as a warm-up and reference tool. I give each student a roll of tape to trace a ring onto watercolor paper. They divide the circle into six sections—three on top and three on the bottom—and use the primary colors (either RYB or CMY) to mix their secondary hues (greens, violets and oranges.) We also mix complementary pairs in the center to explore how they create desaturated brown tones. Next, students plan their color scheme. We look at examples of monochromatic, analogous, complementary, triadic, and tetradic schemes, and they create small swatches to test their choices. I also have them plan a value scale using their selected hues—from lightest to darkest—since the painting will build up in layers. For beginners, I’ve found that analogous or monochromatic schemes work best. Contrasting warm and cool colors can be layered later, but it takes experience to keep those layers from turning muddy. Here's a short form video that shows the process.  Left: examples of watercolor chart studies Right: examples of watercolor swatches How to do Negative Watercolor PaintingOnce the color scheme is in place, we tape off our final painting space using the washi tape. I had students work at 5” x 7”—half of a 9” x 12” sheet—so there was room for a second painting if they finished early but 8" X 10" on the full sheet would also be a good size for beginners to start with. Students plan the layout of their leaf shapes, either repeating one leaf or layering all three. Practicing the drawing beforehand is key. For beginners or younger students, it might be helpful to offer pre-cut cardstock leaf shapes (or have them make their own) so they can trace to ensure clean forms at each layer. Here’s the general process:
Once the layers are complete and dry, students can optionally add details to the foreground leaves. I like to show how warm highlights can make those shapes pop forward and create a sense of depth.  Negative Space Art ExamplesThis project always results in visually impressive work—without being overwhelming for beginners. The key is scaffolding: build skills gradually, practice each technique before applying it, and give students the tools to plan their work thoughtfully. It’s a lesson that brings together observation, design, color theory, and watercolor technique—and it gives students a new way to understand how negative space can be just as powerful as the subject. This negative space watercolor technique can be developed in complex ways to create subtle, intricate images. To get inspired, I’ve created a Negative Watercolor Painting Pinterest Board featuring examples that show the creative potential of this negative painting technique with practice and refinement.  Screenshot of the Negative Space Watercolor Pinterest Board I created with examples How to Draw Hands for Beginners "What my brain keeps telling me to draw" meme One of the subjects my students struggle with the most are drawing hands. I teach a Drawing and Painting class with mostly 9th and 10th grade students and this year I wanted to start with hands as a way to build confidence. The idea is to give them the opportunity to improve their skills with a subject they find the most challenging- I often hear students say "hands are too hard to draw" and so if they learn to draw hands, or even improve they are going into the next project with a higher degree of confidence in their skills. The meme above is one that always makes my students laugh and I show it at the start of this lesson as a way to "clear the air" and recognize how difficult it is to draw hands, and to illustrate the idea that it is our familiarity with hands that adds challenge to drawing them since we think we know what they look like and rely on those mental images, rather than direct observation.  A page from Drawing the Head and Hands by Andrew Loomis, 1949 I’ve found that it is difficult for beginners when most books dive straight into complicated anatomy. For beginners, that much detail isn’t always helpful—I've also found that many books just show pages full of beautifully drawn hands without much explanation. Over the years, I've found ways to simplify the process by focusing on the basic shapes that make up the hand and using contour drawing to capture its form. Instead of worrying about every bone and muscle, we’ll break the hand down into easier parts like rectangles, ovals, and arcs to create a foundation. This method is perfect for middle and high school students who are just starting and want to build confidence in drawing hands step by step  Hand Contour Drawing PracticeThe first part of the unit focuses on Contour Drawing activities, a classic technique used in beginning drawing classes to encourage active observation. Contour drawing, derived from the French word for "outline," involves using only lines to capture the edges of a subject. This method helps students focus more on the subject itself rather than on what appears on the paper.  Contour Drawing ExercisesWith familiar subjects like hands, it's easy to rely on our mental image rather than truly observing what's in front of us. Contour drawing, particularly exercises that limit how much we look at the paper, challenges students to engage with the subject instead of their preconceived ideas. The first activity in this unit is a Pure Contour drawing, where students are not allowed to look at the paper at all and must concentrate fully on the subject. This technique is sometimes called “Blind” Contour, but I prefer the term “Pure” because it emphasizes pure observation without worrying about accuracy on the page. Maintaining focus during Pure Contour drawing can be challenging for students. I find that setting a timer or playing a song helps keep them engaged for the full three minutes. While some teachers hide the drawing by covering the pencil with a piece of paper, I allow students to choose whether to fully commit to the exercise. It's easy to spot when a student has peeked at their work. Pure Contour drawing s are unique because of their distortions. When students lift their pencils and place them back without looking, lines often land in the wrong spots, and the scale can shift as they “zoom in” and “zoom out” during observation. Although these drawings can be visually intriguing, the true goal is to let go of expectations and learn to fully observe the subject.  Next, we move on to Continuous Line contour drawings, where students can look at their paper but cannot lift their drawing tool, creating a single, unbroken line. I encourage students to use markers instead of pencils for this exercise, as markers glide more smoothly on the paper. While they are allowed to look at their paper, I remind them to spend less than 20% of their time doing so and emphasize that all the information about the subject comes from observation, not the paper. After these two warm-up exercises, students practice regular Contour Line drawings, where they can look at the paper and lift their pencil. However, I often notice that students become more hesitant during this activity, making less fluid and confident marks. To counter this and reduce reliance on erasers, I sometimes require students to complete at least one drawing in marker. This helps them commit to their marks and focus on observation rather than perfection.  How to Draw Hands Step-by-StepOn the second day of the lesson, we focus on a strategy I call “finding shapes and arcs,” which I have found to be an effective step-by-step method for learning how to draw hands. This approach helps students break down the complexity of the hand by identifying simple shapes such as rectangles, circles, and ovals, while also analyzing the hand for repeating arc shapes. We begin with an open-palm drawing activity where students draw their own hand from life. Although drawing from life can be more challenging than using a photograph, it provides valuable practice in observation and proportion. Before students begin, I demonstrate the technique in detail using a document camera, guiding them step by step through the process. After students sketch the basic shapes and arcs, they move on to adding contour lines, building on the skills they practiced in the previous lesson.  Drawing Hands WorksheetNext, students practice the technique of finding shapes and arcs more independently using a drawing worksheet. One side of the worksheet shows hand references with the simple shapes outlined step by step to guide them. This allows students to work independently and gain confidence as they achieve more realistic results. The how to draw hand poses featured on the worksheet—a closed fist and a forefinger “one” sign—are more challenging than the open palm drawing, providing a good opportunity to build on the previous activity.  Front side of the hands drawing worksheet, click to see the full worksheet. The other side of the worksheet offers an additional challenge, featuring a photo reference of a hand for students to analyze and find shapes on their own. I typically demonstrate how I identify shapes in the reference image and use them to sketch the hand proportionally. However, I encourage students to trust themselves in finding the shapes, even if their interpretations look different from mine—that’s all part of the learning process.  Back side of the Drawing Hands worksheet, click the image to see the full lesson Drawing Hands RealisticallyThe final activity in this lesson brings together everything students have learned, focusing on how to draw hands realistically using shapes and arcs, contour lines, and shading. Students select a hand reference image from a pre-printed selection in black and white, which simplifies identifying values for shading. Using a reference image allows students to draw the simple shapes directly on the photo to guide their sketching. It also provides a stable lighting situation, enabling them to work on their drawings over several days. By this point in the lesson, students have gained the confidence to apply these strategies independently, creating beautifully realistic hand drawings.  Hand Reference ImagesOne of my favorite sources for copyright-free reference images, usable both creatively and commercially, is Pexels.com. The site offers a wide variety of hand images in different poses and perspectives. I like to select a range of images, from more familiar poses like an open palm or fist, which we’ve already practiced, to more challenging ones, such as a foreshortened hand. I encourage my students to "choose their own adventure" based on their experience level and how much challenge they want in their drawing.
This Drawing Hands lesson was successful with my students because it broke down the process of drawing hands into simple, approachable steps. Every student created at least one drawing they were proud of, and most importantly, they reported feeling less intimidated by the challenge of drawing hands. While students could benefit from exploring hand anatomy and proportions in greater depth, as seen in traditional drawing books, this lesson served as an excellent starting point for how to draw hands for beginners.
 Close up of my first attempt using a free AI image generator to create a hidden image puzzle. Using AI to Create ImagesA parent at Back to School Night for my Digital Art Class this year asked me if digital art was even a necessary skill anymore, given the rise of AI and its ability to generate images in seconds. It’s a valid question and one that made me realize that I need to explore AI image generation tools for myself and understand how they work and how they can be used in digital art or if they are poised to replace digital artists altogether. As a digital art teacher, I’ve done some experimentation with the generative tools in Photoshop, but diving deeper into AI-driven image generation felt like the next step. I decided to start my exploration with a hidden image puzzle. I've always liked these types of puzzles and thought I could create a puzzle that my art club students would enjoy if we finished our project early. I had the idea of hiding art materials into a crowded art gallery scene. I was imagining a 19th Century Salon style exhibition gallery with paintings hung floor to ceiling and a crowd of viewers in the foreground among pedestals with sculptures. My plan was to hide a variety of art making tools in the scene and it would be a fun way to review the names of different tools as well. This hidden image puzzle project was a way for me to dip my toes into AI-driven art and see what the free version of this technology is capable of at this point. Through this process, I discovered that digital skills are still very much needed, even with AI in the picture.  Rowlandson, Thomas. Royal Academy Exhibition Room, Somerset House. Copyright Royal Academy of Arts How to Write Prompts for AI Image GenerationThe first step in creating a hidden image puzzle using AI is outlining the concept. In this case, I wanted to design a puzzle set inside an art gallery, where viewers could search for hidden art tools—paint brushes, a palette, a pencil, a box of pastels, a printer's brayer, a dip pen, an inkwell and other art supplies. My vision included a gallery scene with these tools subtly blended into the paintings, sculptures, and the gallery’s architectural details. I logged into ChatGPT and selected the "web image" generation option. I typed in the prompt "generate a hidden image puzzle with art supplies hidden in a salon-style gallery scene. Please include an answer key along the bottom of the image with images of the hidden objects. Hidden objects should include: a pencil, a paintbrush, an inkwell, a dip pen, a set of artist pastels, a sketchbook, a printmaking brayer, a set of paints in a box and a palette." The result of this first experiment was almost nightmarish in its distortions, reminding me of those AI generated scenes of semi-familiar objects that cannot be identified created to simulate what it feels like to suffer a stroke. The scene, recognizable as an art gallery, included lumpy forms that somewhat resembled sculptures on pedestals as wells as a number of more ambiguous forms in the foreground. The "hidden image" key was just as muddled. It included 17 strange objects with loose visual ties to 10 specific art materials in the prompt and none of these objects are actually replicated in the scene, defeating the point of it being a hidden image puzzle.  Full AI image generated by my first prompt to create a hidden image puzzle in a salon style art gallery. Refining the AI Image Generation PromptI wasn't completely disappointed with this first iteration but it definitely missed the mark which meant I needed to focus on crafting a better prompt for the free ChatGPT AI Image Generator. I decided to look carefully at what the AI was doing well to start to make sure I kept the key aspects of my prompt that were working. The scene communicates the salon-style I was going for and some of the structure of the image is correct including the art on the walls, pedestals with sculptures, and the answer key along the bottom. Then I thought about what was not working in the image: the objects are not recognizable, the objects in the answer key don't match the objects in the scene. Also, I wanted to clear the gallery floor from extra objects that didn't relate to the puzzle. I was feeling much more confident heading into the the next prompt. I decided to give the AI a particular type of art to focus on rather than just say "art" I used the keywords "landscape and figure sculpture" and I included more detail about what is meant by "hidden images." I also My new prompt: "Generate a hidden image puzzle with art supplies hidden in a salon-style gallery scene. The gallery should include landscape painting and figure sculptures on pedestals. Please include an answer key along the bottom of the image with images of these objects: a pencil, a paintbrush, an inkwell, a dip pen, a set of artist pastels, a sketchbook, a printmaking brayer, a set of paints in a box and a palette. These objects must be hidden in the scene and be identical to answer key. Please do not include extra objects on the floor if they are not a hidden image."  My second attempt to use free AI Image Generation to create a hidden image puzzle. As you can see in the image above, which was the result of this second attempt, there are some improvements: The artwork is less distorted and the gallery floor is clear of extra objects. The answer key has less objects but still not the 10 objects I listed. But the main issue remains, the objects are not hidden with in the scene and the objects themselves are not recognizable. I will spare you the details of the lengthy prompts I created with subtle changes to my prompt...I ended up adding greater description to the objects themselves to make them more recognizable but I found as the AI began to grasp these details it let go of others, including the structure of the answer key and the concept of a hidden image. In this iteration below I used several sentences to describe what is meant by portrait and figure sculpture and landscape art. I find it interesting that the AI generated images reminiscent to artworks of art history like Van Gogh's Starry Night and the Venus de Milo. I also carefully described the 10 art supplies I wanted in the scene but it seems as if the AI focused solely on the painting objects. Most importantly the objects hidden in the scene are not identical to the objects in the foreground.  My third attempt at using free IA Image Generation to create a hidden image puzzle. I made subtle edits to my prompt and generated images with similar issues. It seemed like whenever I was able to resolve one problem the AI created another issue. Although the images became more refined and less amorphous and nightmarish the goal of creating a hidden image puzzle was elusive. Below was another iteration where the hidden images appear more clearly in a "key" but are not identical to the images that are "hidden."  My fourth attempt at using free AI image generation to create a hidden object puzzle. Last Attempt at Using AI to Generate a Hidden Image PuzzleAt this point after creating several iterations of the prompt including those with specific instructions and descriptions I decided to try once more by attempting to make the scene more crowded. I figured maybe the AI was having an issue hiding the objects because there needed to be more opportunities to hide the objects. I decided to explicitly ask for a salon-style exhibition with people to see if the objects could be hidden. I also included the instructions to number the hidden objects hoping this would limit them to the 10 I described. I also let go of the lengthy descriptions to try to focus the efforts toward actually hiding identical objects in the scene. Here's the final prompt: "Generate a hidden image puzzle with art supplies hidden in a salon-style gallery scene with art on the walls and on pedestals and viewers walking around the scene. The gallery should include landscape paintings and figure sculptures on pedestals. Please include a numbered answer key along the bottom of the image with these 10 images: a pencil, a paintbrush, an inkwell, a dip pen, a set of artist pastels, a sketchbook, a printmaking brayer, a set of paints in a box and a palette. Identical copies of these 10 images must be hidden in the scene and be in every way identical to images in the answer key."  My final attempt in using free AI image generation to create a hidden object puzzle. I'll let you be the judge of the results. I'm not sure this worked any better than the previous attempts. Although my efforts to use free AI (DALL-E) image generation to create a hidden object puzzle failed. I did get to see how these powerful tools work and also get temperature check on how accurate they actually are (at least for the free version.) My only question now is how is this free CHAT GPT DALL-E version different from some of the paid options out there...but that will have to be continued because I'm not convinced I want to spend money on this service at this point. One More AI Image Generation ExperimentBefore putting this AI image generation experiment on the back-burner for a while I decided to return to my original intention. To see if the free AI image generation tools were going to replace the need for Digital Art classes and put me out of the job as a Digital Art teacher... For the last experiment I decided to craft a prompt to replicate my example image for one of my favorite Adobe Photoshop lessons for beginners: Digital Surreal Collage. This lesson introduces students to the genre and movement of Surrealism, they learn the surrealist strategies and some of the key image editing tools/techniques in Adobe Photoshop including the selection tools, transform tools, layer effects, and adjustment layers. It is important for me to teach my students how to use found images responsibly and how to discern what is fair use online. Because of this I direct my students to use copyright free image sites like Pexels.com and to use image free to use archives like the US Library of Congress Free to Use and Reuse Image Gallery.  My Digital Surreal Collage example created in Adobe Photoshop Digital Surreal Collage Without AII created my example image for the Digital Surreal Collage lesson using both Pexels.com and the Library of Congress images, selecting a vintage photo of a female tennis player as my inspiration created a scene where I employed dislocation placing the tennis player in the sky surrounded by clouds (a nod to my favorite surrealist Rene Magritte) and I used change of scale to make the ball oversized symbolizing the sun. I used several of the key tools and techniques in Adobe Photoshop to create the image including layer effects (drop shadow), adjustment layers (to create color adjustments), clone stamp and transform tools. It was a relatively easy image to create and only took 10 min to create but I wanted to see if the free DALL-E AI generator could create a similar image instantly...  AI Generated SurrealismI did my best to craft a prompt using what I had learned from my failed hidden image puzzle experiment. This is what I came up with: "Generate an image of a female tennis player from the early 1900s in black and white playing tennis in the clouds with a giant tennis ball. Put a drop shadow behind the tennis player and make the clouds pale pink, purple and sky blue." My first impression was that this image came out much more successfully the more complicated hidden object puzzles. But clearly there are some issues: the entire image came out black and white so I think I would make sure to specifically ask for only the tennis player to be in black and white because the cloud colors specified here were completely ignored probably because the black and white request took precedence. Also if you look at the image more closely you will notice that the cloud shape is replicated several times at different scales in the scene making it look fake. Also the image is missing the drop shadow behind the tennis player.  Is AI Good at Creating Images?Having completed this mini-experiment (I still feel like I've only scratched the surface) into AI image generation, I have more insights into what the free image generator can and cannot do.
Do I think the free AI image generator I used (DALL-E) is good at creating images? No. I don't, not at this time. If students used this tool to create their work it would be obvious. The irregularities and strangeness pervades the image and is hard to overlook. The images I was able to create are intriguing and at times frightening but they do not have the clarity, complexity and intentionality of digital art created by humans using applications like Adobe Photoshop. So for now I think my job is safe and I still think teaching digital art is valuable for students. Outdoor Art ProjectsThe weather is nice for only a few months during the school year where I live. As a teacher, I make sure to plan opportunities to get outdoors during this short window of time to draw artistic inspiration from nature. Drawing from direct observation of nature is a wonderful way to build foundational drawing skills, and I do like to take my students outdoors to sketch. However, today I want to share a few easy outdoor art projects including Shadow Tracing, Nature Brushes and Land Art that are perfect for beginners. These projects don’t require expensive materials or extensive preparation and are less intimidating than realistic drawing for students new to art. These nature art projects can also work as collaborative art activities at the start of the school year or semester to build community among students.  Shadow Tracing Art ActivityShadow tracing is a wonderful activity to do on a sunny day when shadows are visible. Shadows show distortion, negative space, and shape in visually interesting ways, making them great subjects to explore with a variety of media. The basis of this activity is simple: students use art materials to trace the shadows they observe outdoors. The scale of the tracing and manner in which it is done can be designed to fit the needs of your students, age level and class goals.  For materials, I've used butcher paper and markers, charcoal on toned paper, watercolor on watercolor paper, and pastels on large sheets of colored paper. There are so many possibilities! These tracings can also be reworked into collage and mixed media projects or turned into colorful hallway displays. You can also decide whether you want shadow tracing to be an individual or collaborative group activity. I have taught it both ways for different purposes. Individually, it can be an introspective and meditative exercise for students to do in their sketchbooks or art journals, serving as a starting point for larger independent projects. For example, I have used this activity to explore positive and negative space as an introductory exercise for a relief printmaking project. I've also used shadow tracing as a beginning-of-the-year icebreaker and collaborative project. For these cases, I opt for large sheets of paper or butcher paper so that 3-4 students can work on one tracing together. A colored craft paper roll would be a good option to use with chalk or oil pastels, especially if you want to turn these tracings into hallway art or a classroom display. This focused work encourages conversation among group members. I recommend choosing the groups ahead of time in the classroom and leading a conversation activity before heading outdoors. This way, students don't choose their own groups and have a chance to meet new people. Since the groups and paper are larger, I suggest scouting some good outdoor locations in advance to point out to students. Also, provide some tape so students can secure their paper to the pavement or a wall for tracing. Looking for shadows also gives students the opportunity to be present in their senses and to view forms from a new perspective. Because shadows often reflect significant distortion from the objects that cast them, it can be fascinating to see how they move throughout the day. This activity can be an engaging way to connect natural science with art for a STEAM lesson. Nature BrushesCreating nature brushes from sticks and natural materials like leaves, pine needles, and twigs is a wonderful way to engage students in mark making and observation. By using wire, binder clips, and rubber bands to assemble these brushes, students can craft unique tools for experimenting with mark making using India ink. This activity encourages them to get outside and closely observe the shapes, textures, and structures of the materials they collect, honing their attention to detail. It's an excellent start-of-the-year project because it’s low stakes, fun, and accessible to all students, regardless of their prior art experience. The tactile experience of working with natural materials also fosters creativity and provides a relaxed environment for students who are new to art.  How to Make Nature BrushesI set up each table with a bin containing essential materials: florist wire, wire cutters, rubber bands, tape, and binder clips. Additionally, I place large Ziploc bags on each table so that students can use them to collect natural materials outside. Before heading outdoors, I provide a few examples of "brushes" to give students an idea of what they might gather. I encourage them to think about finding a suitable “handle” and then consider what they can collect for the “bristles.” Once back in the classroom, students use the materials from their table bins to assemble their brushes. I have observed that florist wire is particularly effective for this project because it is both strong and pliable, allowing it to hold various natural elements securely. While students are working on their brushes, I circulate around the room distributing small jars of India ink, cups for water, and shallow containers for mixing. I then give a brief demonstration on how to dilute the India ink with water and how to use their nature brushes to create different marks on paper, such as dragging, stippling, and pressing. Additionally, I place large sheets of paper on the floor so students can experiment with their long-handled brushes. I often use this activity as the introduction to my Pen and Ink unit in my traditional media classes or as the start of my Digital Pattern Design unit in my digital media classes.  After the work period, students participate in an informal gallery walk where they share their drawings and brushes. This activity engages multiple aspects of the creative process, including gathering, observing, creating, experimenting, committing, and reflecting. Land Art Nature Art ProjectFor our "Land Art" inspired outdoor activity, each table is prepared with the understanding that students will use only the natural materials they find during their exploration. Before heading outside, I introduce the concept of Land Art and discuss influential artists like Andy Goldsworthy, who create visually striking installations using elements found in nature. I encourage students to observe their surroundings and think creatively about how to use these materials to craft eye-catching arrangements that are site-specific and ephemeral, meaning they are designed to exist only in the moment and interact uniquely with their environment.  As students explore and collect materials, I remind them to consider the principles of design—such as balance, contrast, and harmony—when arranging their finds. This activity is an excellent way to introduce these concepts, as students can experiment with how different natural elements interact in their specific outdoor setting. By working with what they find, they learn to create visually compelling compositions that emphasize the temporary and ever-changing nature of their surroundings. Once back at their work areas, students begin assembling their Land Art installations using only the materials they’ve collected. I circulate among them, offering guidance on achieving balance and visual interest with their natural finds. This hands-on experience helps students practically apply design principles and understand how their work interacts with the environment, highlighting the ephemeral and site-specific nature of their art. At the end of the activity, students participate in a group reflection where they share their Land Art creations and discuss the design principles they employed. This discussion allows them to reflect on their artistic process and appreciate the variety of approaches within the group. The experience not only fosters creativity but also deepens their understanding of design concepts through a direct and meaningful engagement with the natural world.   How to Use Adobe Photoshop for BeginnersBack in 2020, I moved to a new state and started teaching Digital Art for the first time. While I had 20 years of experience using Photoshop and Illustrator in my own work, I had only worked with students on digital skills individually due to limited resources at my previous school. Excited by the opportunity, I developed a project-based curriculum to teach both basic and advanced tools for photo manipulation, illustration, and simple animation. This curriculum guides students through a series of projects that build on each other, helping them master Photoshop's menus, panels, and tools. Students use Wacom tablets and styluses, and projects are inspired by current digital design trends and contemporary artists. A key part of the curriculum includes beginner Photoshop tutorials, to teach students to manage their workflow and problem-solve both individually and collaboratively. For an introductory project, I designed a lesson I call Visual Autobiography which teaches students to create a layered self-portrait. This project provides students the opportunity to introduce themselves, reflect on creative expression, and learn the basics of Photoshop  Key Photoshop Skills and TechniquesThe Visual Autobiography project introduces a variety of basic skills, keyboard shortcuts and tools. It is also a great way for students to introduce themselves to the class and for me to get to know the students. The skills covered in this lesson include:
 IB Art Exhibition 2020, student work that inspired this digital portrait project Digital Portrait Project InspirationThis lesson was inspired by an IB (International Baccalaureate) Art project created by a student for his exhibition a few years ago. (To see this students full exhibition check out this blog post) His digital self-portrait told the story of an inoperable brain tumor he had since birth, requiring periodic treatment to maintain his vision. These treatments were physically challenging and left him drained of energy. As an active outdoorsman and mountaineer, he used the metaphor of a wildfire in the mountains to express the challenge of his tumor. The portrait shows his silhouette filled with a mountain landscape. Above his ear, smoke from a wildfire rises, and a helicopter is shown responding to the fire. An MRI scan of his brain is faintly visible in the silhouette. This image poetically tells his story, and I found it so moving that I wanted to develop a lesson around visual storytelling and metaphor.
Portrait Double ExposureI have always been fascinated with darkroom double exposure art and liked the idea of introducing this art form digitally to my students for this project. Double exposure art, where two images are blended to create a single, visually striking piece, has evolved from traditional darkroom photography to modern digital art. In darkroom photography, this effect was achieved by exposing the same piece of film twice, overlaying two separate images. This required precise timing and a lot of trial and error to get right. In Adobe Photoshop, creating double exposure art is much more accessible. Artists can blend images easily using layer masks and adjusting the opacity. The use of blend modes and adjustment layers offers the possibility of fine tuning the resulting images to create focal points and cohesion of color scheme. Overall this digital process allows for more control and creativity compared to the old darkroom techniques and impressive results can be accomplished by beginners.  Contemporary Double Exposure ArtistsI like to incorporate Contemporary Digital Artists into my curriculum for students to explore and be inspired by. The artists I share for this lesson include: Barett Biggers, Alexis Folliot, Antonio Mora, and Jenya Byguzou.  Meeting the Bear King by Barrett Biggers Barett Biggers creates dreamy portraits by blending faces with nature elements like forests and flowers. His use of vibrant colors and smooth gradients makes his work pop. For students, studying Biggers' highly detailed compositions (which have a lot of elements) demonstrates how important it is to balance colors and contrasts to make both images in a double exposure stand out while still looking cohesive.  Downtown by Alexis Folliot aka Nevessart Alexis Folliot who goes by nevessart online, combines faces with landscape and architectural elements, creating an intriguing mix of the organic and the structured. Her work demonstrates how negative space (white space) can add visual interest and depth to portraits. Using mostly black and white with low-saturation pops of color, she shows how subtle use of color can draw the eye throughout the composition. Teaching students to play with negative space in Photoshop can help them learn how to effectively guide the viewer's eye.  Photo Collage by Antonio Mora Antonio Mora’s work has a mysterious, dreamlike quality. He often merges faces with abstract textures and landscapes, using high contrast and dramatic lighting to create depth. Mora's portraits are great examples of how contrast can set the mood and make key elements stand out. Students can learn to use contrast to add drama and focus in their own double exposures.  Art by Jenya Vyguzov Jenya Vyguzov is known for his detailed and intricate double exposure portraits that combine photography, nature, and fashion. His use of fine textures and patterns creates rich, complex images. Students can draw inspiration from his work, especially his influences from fashion and album art, to experiment with layers and blending modes in Photoshop, adding texture and depth to their own projects while tapping into pop culture.  Mind Mapping ActivitySince the focus of this lesson is visual storytelling, I wanted to guide students through reflective activities to help them develop their ideas. One of my favorite pre-work activities is mind mapping. This technique allows for structured brainstorming and encourages non-linear thinking, where even seemingly peripheral ideas can become the foundation of a project. We start with a partner activity where students discuss synonyms for "autobiography" and choose the one that resonates with them most. This chosen synonym becomes the center of our mind map, and we explore the associations that branch out from it. I love mind mapping because it often leads to unexpected paths and helps students push beyond their initial ideas to find something truly intriguing.
Gathering Photographic ElementsAfter developing a direction for their projects, students gather photos for their project, either from their own camera rolls or from copyright-free online sources. These photos will be layered into their portraits to tell their story. They also need a base photograph of themselves. Students can pose however they like, and we discuss how different poses convey various messages and moods. I encourage them to use accessories if it fits their story (e.g., sunglasses, goggles, helmets, hats) and to take their photos against a solid background to simplify creating the selections in Photoshop. I've seen students get wildly creative with their portraits, from hanging upside down to make their hair look like it's floating upward, to using a fan to add movement. Some students may struggle with being photographed. I address their concerns individually and offer solutions, such as taking their photo during a private session or using a different photo from their past. I reassure them that the portrait is just a base for the double exposure techniques and that their face will be obscured in the final piece, making the portrait more of an "outline" than a dominant element in the composition.  Each tutorial breaks down a technique, tool or skill, each video is less than 5 minutes Beginner Photoshop TutorialsTo teach the technical skills in Adobe Photoshop needed for this project, I use a series of pre-recorded video tutorials hosted privately on YouTube. This allows students to learn at their own pace. While I use the SmartBoard to demonstrate simple techniques to the whole class, students find video tutorials more effective for complex tasks because they can pause and practice as needed. I also provide a handout highlighting key tools in the Photoshop toolbar to help students memorize the icons and understand tool grouping. Students access these Adobe Photoshop beginner tutorials through EdPuzzle or Google Classroom. Each class begins with a “warm-up” to review or re-teach skills covered in the videos. I created these tutorials during virtual learning and continue using them because they've proven successful. Having my own tutorials ensures that students receive consistent, step-by-step instruction tailored to their needs, rather than relying on existing YouTube or Adobe content.  Screenshot of Virtual Sticker Awards and comments on the group Google Slides critique presentation Art Reflection ActivityWhat I love most about these portraits is how expressive they are. Students become deeply invested in the stories they tell through imagery, often using their own photography. This project is a perfect start-of-the-school-year activity to get to know your students and for them to get to know one another. Students choose a variety of stories to tell, and sometimes they are quite personal. It's important to build a supportive classroom environment to encourage sharing these expressive artworks. Throughout this unit, I include several opportunities for partner discussions where students share their progress and offer constructive feedback. We also do gallery walks where students leave their files with the layers panel open on the screen, and classmates leave post-it note encouragements and questions. By building community along the way, students are ready for a reflective and constructive critique discussion by the end of the unit. To prepare for the critique, students write a reflection about two of their artistic choices and how these choices support their narrative. We present their work in a group Google Slideshow, and students verbally share their reflections with a small group of 4-6 peers. After the small group discussion, students view all the portraits (I teach multiple sections, so it's fun for students to see their friends’ work) in the slideshow and offer Virtual Award Stickers. They are limited to 3 awards and must justify their selection in a comment on the slideshow, explaining why the artist received this award. Students always enjoy this part of the critique, but it does require oversight to ensure the comments are appropriate and use artistic vocabulary. Students are graded on these comments, which helps maintain focus. Additionally, I monitor to ensure students stick to the 3-sticker limit. Digital Art for BeginnersI hope you feel empowered to teach digital artmaking tools, as they are wonderfully accessible to beginners and allow students to engage with their own photography. If you're looking for more Adobe lessons for beginners, check out my Digital Art Lesson Bundle (this lesson is included). This resource includes a variety of projects and tutorials designed to help students master digital art techniques while expressing their creativity.
 Travel JournalingAs a high school art teacher, I'm always looking for ways to encourage my students to engage in regular sketching and drawing practice to hone their observation and visual perception skills. This past school year, I had the chance to lead a student trip to Germany, and it was this adventure that sparked my newfound passion for travel journaling and sketching. The trip was organized around the themes of history and art, and as the art teacher, it was my role to create an art component for our journey. Knowing we would encounter emotionally challenging histories and realities of Germany’s past, I began researching travel journaling as a way for students to document and process their experiences. I aimed to make the travel art journal approachable and accessible, especially since not all the students were art students. My goal was to introduce travel sketching for beginners techniques and incorporate elements of a travel journal and scrapbook to ensure everyone could participate and benefit from the creative process. During all this planning, I never anticipated just how profoundly travel journaling would impact my own art and teaching practice. Keeping a travel art journal transformed my experience on the trip, guiding me to stay present and ultimately changing the way I travel forever.  Travel Art KitWhen preparing for our trip, I knew I needed a travel sketch kit that was lightweight yet included all the essentials. My kit comprised a compact watercolor sketchbook, a fine-tipped pen, a pocket watercolor palette, a watercolor brush pen which holds a small amount of water to paint on the go (this was a game changer), a glue tape runner, and a roll of Washi tape. In addition to these materials I also brought some materials that we could share as a group including Posca pens, crayons for texture rubbings, white gel pens and extra paper. To organize the kits I used mesh zipper bags from Blick art materials that I found in my classroom and repurposed for this purpose. The bags were 10" X 13" which was a good size for including the 8.5" X 11" photocopies I created as a guide to the museums would visit, museum scavenger hunts and art journal guide I created for the trip. I have updated and expanded on this guide and created a *free* Travel Journaling Get Started Guide (pdf with links) for you in hopes it will inspire you and your students to try travel art journaling.  DIY Watercolor Dot CardsFor a lightweight alternative to pocket watercolors, check out watercolor dot cards. I learned about these from a fellow teacher on Instagram after I had purchased the pocket watercolor sets and wished I had known sooner! While the pocket watercolors I packed for Germany worked great for my students, they were a bit bulkier. Watercolor dot cards, on the other hand, are ultra compact and easy to carry. You can buy them pre-made or DIY your own with tube watercolors by placing small dots on a piece of watercolor paper and letting them dry. Just grab a water brush pen, touch the dot, and you're ready to start sketching.  DIY watercolor dot cards Preparing Travel Journaling KitsIn preparation for the trip, I spent time prepping my journal, experimenting with the materials I had ordered, and trying out various techniques like Washi tape resist, architectural sketching, texture rubbings and mixed media collage. During our pre-trip meetings, I presented these techniques to the students, encouraging them to get comfortable with the supplies and to cut out images ahead of time, especially if travel sketching wasn't their thing. We reviewed our itinerary to get a sense of where we would be going and what we would see, helping everyone feel more prepared and excited. I also created a museum guide for them, and included a Museum Scavenger Hunt with a mix of specific pieces and more generic items to look for, to make the free time of our museum visits more engaging and interactive.  Travel Journal TechniquesOnce we were in Germany, I wanted to engage my students in travel journaling, regardless of their skill levels. I devised various ideas and techniques to cater to their diverse abilities. We focused on observational drawing by sketching architectural elements, landscapes, and street scenes. For those less confident in their drawing skills, we explored mixed media techniques, using torn paper, brochures, and found objects to create visually appealing pages. Incorporating text was another important aspect, as I encouraged students to add personal reflections and descriptive notes to their journals. Mixed Media Collage Art Journal PagesCollage quickly became a favorite medium among my students. It’s approachable and offers endless possibilities for creativity. By incorporating maps, texture rubbings, and other found materials like receipts, paper packaging, and tickets, students could visually narrate their travel stories. This technique was especially beneficial for those who felt less confident in their drawing or painting abilities. The use of torn paper edges added a unique, organic touch to their compositions, and I encouraged students to use their watercolors to add backgrounds and areas of emphasis to their pages. If you are interested in seeing more mixed media collage techniques that could be incorporated into travel art journals and other classroom activities check out this blog post on Mixed Media Collage Sketchbook Cover Ideas and this blog post all about Collages for Women's History Month.  This page includes texture rubbings, receipts, a paper gift bag and a postcard purchased at the Art Museum. Texture RubbingsCreating texture rubbings is a great technique for looking at the world around you in a different way. Considering the texture of surfaces forces you to look all around as you move through architectural spaces. One of the best places for creating rubbings that I found on our trip to Germany was the ground. Man hole and grate covers, street placards and infrastructure markings often had interesting textures that showed up well using a wax crayon and somewhat thin paper. For some of these rubbings I used paper I brought on the trip and for others I used the complementary notepad from the hotels we stayed at. If you are traveling internationally consider making rubbings of the coins, this is another fun way to explore the textures you encounter while traveling. While we were in Germany I found an East German coin at the Mauerpark Flea Market and used it to create rubbings for my Travel Art Journal page about our Berlin Wall bike tour.  Creating texture rubbings of a 50 cent Euro coin Shadow TracingTo help students stay present and connected with the environment, we explored shadow tracing. I encouraged them to look for interesting shadows in the landscape and trace their outlines in their journals. This activity was not only a creative exercise but also a meditative practice which served as a way to stay present even when confronted with the difficult and tragic histories we were confronted with on our tour. While at the Jewish Museum at Berlin, I found a shadow of a bouquet in a vase in the Museum Cafe and used a pencil, waterbrush pen and watercolors to create a small painted tracing of the shadow. I found this to be a soothing and reflective activity after an emotional tour of the museum.  Travel Journals as ScrapbooksBeyond drawings and paintings, our travel journals also served as scrapbooks. We incorporated mementos like tickets, brochures, and photos, creating a personal narrative that combined art and memories. This approach allowed students to document their experiences holistically, blending their artistic expressions with tangible keepsakes from the trip. I also like how it makes you more aware of all the paper ephemera around you and seeking out these materials feels like a treasure hunt. I also noticed students engaging more with maps and reading brochures more since they were using them in their travel art journal pages. We often had to look closely at maps to find the exact locations we visited and in the process students would develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the areas we visited.  Travel journal scrapbook page with maps, photos and some brief reflections Unique Materials for Travel JournalsKeep an open mind about what could be used in your travel journal to make art. One of the materials that proved to be a great medium for painting was the instant coffee packets supplied by the hotels on our trip. These dehydrated coffee crystals made a nice sepia toned paint when mixed with water using the waterbrush pen. I used this to add background texture to pages as well as to paint a motif from a carved wood door we saw in Munich. An added bonus is that it makes the journal page smell faintly of fresh coffee.  Using instant coffee as paint in my Travel Art Journal Another unusual technique that I experimented with was paint drag downs. Inspired by "overpainted" photos I saw in the Neue Nationalgalerie by the German artist Gerhard Richter, I used the corner of a postcard and let the paint pool from a Posca paint pen so I could drag down the paint to create an abstract effect.  Engaging Students of All AbilitiesOne of the most rewarding aspects of travel journaling was seeing how it engaged students of all abilities and levels of experience with art. I emphasized that there is no right or wrong way to travel art journal, encouraging them to experiment and explore their creativity. Whether through detailed sketches, vibrant collages, or written reflections, every student found a way to express their experiences. I'm not sharing images of student work here because these journals became very personal to the students. These techniques and approaches can also be used by anyone who enjoys traveling and wants to connect more deeply to their experience of a place. There is a very low bar for entry to the world of travel journaling and it is incredibly rewarding. Travel Journaling After the TripSomething that surprised me was that for most of us the majority of the work in our travel journals happened after the trip or on the flight home. It would have been nice to have more time to work in our journals during the trip but I don't think this is always feasible especially when working with a tour company with tight schedules. But don't let this deter you from sharing travel art journaling with your students or from trying it yourself. Creating pages after the trip or while traveling home is a wonderful way to re-experience the memories and reflect on your experiences. I love this quote by Anaïs Nin "We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect." I find this to be very true of Travel Journaling as well. When you travel with the intention of creating a journal page you pay more attention to your senses and when you create the page you get to relive the experience with a richer understanding.  Travel Journaling Next StepsAt this point I'm hooked on travel journaling. I found it to be personally rewarding as an artist, educator and traveler and I plan to keep using my journal as I travel and also to explore new places close to where I live. As an art teacher I want to approach teaching travel journaling again in the future. There are some things I would do differently and I would find a way to get in a bit more journaling together on the trip (the Germany trip was especially hectic due to some flight and transportation delays) but having more time to work together in our journals at a park or cafe would have been beneficial for the students who had trouble getting stated. If you want to see more about the travel art journal set up or our trip in Germany check out these two Youtube videos: Travel Journal Set Up for International Tour with Students and Art Journal through Germany: Student Group Travel Vlog and please share your own experiences with travel art journaling in the comments below! If you haven't already downloaded it, here is your Travel Journaling Get Started Guide. Looking forward to continuing this journey!  Here I am working in my travel journal on the plane home from Mexico |
AuthorI'm a high school/middle school art teacher with 16 years of experience. I'm here to help art teachers free up more time and space in their lives through lesson ideas and ready to go content rich, engaging curriculum. Categories
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