Exploring Art Through Value Studies with Little Ashcan! 🎨📐

Last week at Little Ashcan, our young artists delved into the fascinating world of value studies using 3D shapes – the cone, cube, and sphere! 🌟✍️ These little creative minds learned to transform flat shapes into three-dimensional wonders, understanding how light and shadow create form.

Through value studies, they explored the intricate play of light and darkness, honing their skills in shading and achieving realistic depth. The cone's gentle curves, the cube's sharp edges, and the sphere's soft contours became their subjects of exploration. Using pencils and charcoal, they brought these shapes to life, capturing their essence in a symphony of lights and darks.

Value studies are the building blocks of artistic perception, enabling our budding artists to understand the visual nuances of objects. This foundational skill sets them on a path of artistic growth, allowing them to venture into more complex subjects with confidence.

Stay tuned as we continue our artistic journey, nurturing creativity and skills in these young minds. 🌈🎨

Capturing the Beauty of Aquatic Life: A Fishy Adventure at Little Ashcan! 🎨🐟🌊

In our recent class at Little Ashcan, our young artists had a great time exploring the mesmerizing world of aquatic creatures! 🐠🌟 This past week, we embarked on an exciting activity of drawing fish from life, which opened up a whole new realm of artistic possibilities for our little creatives. 🎨💫

Drawing from life is an invaluable skill that every artist should experience. Observing and capturing the essence of real-life subjects, such as fish, offers a unique opportunity to understand their form, movement, and intricate details in a way that a staged photograph cannot fully capture. 🎣👀

Our talented students used a combination of pastels and color pencils to bring these enchanting fish to life on their canvases. Pastels, with their velvety texture and vibrant colors, allowed our artists to achieve bold and expressive strokes, creating captivating fish portraits full of life and energy. 🌈✍️

On the other hand, color pencils provided fine control and precision, enabling our young artists to add intricate details and subtle nuances to their fish illustrations. 🖍️🐡 The combination of these two mediums allowed for a dynamic and engaging approach to the art-making process, sparking the imagination of our little artists. 🎨✨

Drawing fish from life not only honed our students' technical skills but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the underwater world. 🌊🐟 As artists, capturing the essence of a subject directly from life nurtures our creativity and encourages a keen sense of observation that translates into all aspects of our artistic journey. 🎭🌟

We are thrilled to witness our little artists flourish as they explore different techniques and mediums, expanding their artistic horizons. Join us in celebrating their incredible growth and artistic achievements at Little Ashcan! 🎉👏

Stay tuned for more artistic adventures and mesmerizing creations as we dive deeper into the wonders of art! 🌊🎨💕

🦋🎨 Embracing the World of Insects 🐜🌿

At Little Ashcan, we believe in the power of art to inspire curiosity and creativity. That's why we're excited to share our latest artistic adventure - Drawing Bugs using Real Insects in Resin! 🐞✨

Insects have long fascinated artists with their intricate details, fascinating shapes, and vibrant colors. They provide a unique subject for live study, allowing young artists to observe their fascinating world up close and personal. 🕷️🔍

Our young creative minds had the incredible opportunity to study these marvelous creatures with our Real Insects in Resin collection. By using these preserved insects, our young artists were able to explore every angle, every curve, and every delicate feature of these creatures. It's an invaluable experience that teaches them to observe, sketch, and draw with precision and attention to detail. 📏🖍️

Our journey into the world of insects in art is just one of the many fascinating projects we explore at Little Ashcan. We encourage our young artists to embrace their curiosity, observe the world around them, and let their imagination take flight. 🦋🌿

🎨🐾 Capturing Whiskers and Paws at Little Ashcan! 🐱✨

Last week at Little Ashcan, our young artists embarked on an artistic journey into the world of drawing felines! In this week's class, our little artists focused on the art of observation. Guided by our expert instructor, they keenly observed real-life picture of a cat, paying attention to every whisker, paw, and tail. 🐾👀 With pencils in hand, they carefully rendered the furry creature, learning the importance of shapes, lines, and proportions in creating a lifelike depiction.

If you haven't already, don't miss out on the fun! Sign up for our upcoming sessions and let your little ones' creativity bloom like never before. 🌷🌠 Let's create masterpieces together, one brushstroke at a time! 🖌️🎈 #LittleAshcanAdventures #ArtForKids #DrawingCats #ArtisticExpression #CreativeJourney #ExploreWithArt #FurryFriends #YoungArtists #KidsArtClasses

Exploring Nature's Wonders: Saturday's Observe and Draw Class 🌿🌲🖍️

The first day of our Saturday Summer Session at Little Ashcan was filled with creativity, curiosity, and the captivating beauty of nature! 🌳✨ Our young artists embarked on an exciting journey into the world of observation and drawing, exploring the intricate details of trees and the magic they hold. 🌿🎨

Using real natural wood slices as their artistic canvas, the young talents delved into the art of tree study. They were not only taught how to identify different tree species, but also educated on the fascinating technique of reading a tree's age through its growth rings. 🌳📖💫

With a keen eye and color pencils in hand, they ventured into capturing the essence of these majestic trees. The first lesson was a real-life study of trees, allowing the artists to closely examine the shapes, textures, and unique characteristics that make each tree so extraordinary. 🌲🔍✍️

To further enhance their artistic expression, they embraced the wonders of Khadi paper. This exquisite paper provided a textured surface, adding depth and dimension to their artwork. The artists skillfully utilized the qualities of Khadi paper, bringing their tree studies to life with a touch of magic and beauty. 🎨✨

In this class, we emphasize the importance of exploring different ways of observation, moving beyond simple images and truly immersing ourselves in the subject. By closely observing the natural world and capturing its essence on paper, our young artists develop a profound appreciation for the intricate details that surround us. 🌿🌎💚

Join us on this artistic journey as we continue to explore the wonders of observation, the versatility of Khadi paper, and the captivating beauty of nature. Let your imagination flourish and your creativity soar! 🌿🖍️✨

Diving into Summer: Exploring the World of Watercolor at Little Ashcan 🎨🌊

As the sun shines brighter and the summer season unfolds, we are thrilled to welcome our Little Ashcan artists to a brand new adventure in our summer session. 🏖️🌴

With a focus on watercolor, we kick-started the session with our Friday watercolor class, immersing our young artists in the mesmerizing world of this captivating medium. The first lesson took us on a journey of exploration, as we delved into the realm of still life and embarked on a real-life study of pears. In our first watercolor class, we emphasized the significance of still life as a powerful subject for artistic expression. Unlike faux still life, real-life subjects bring a sense of authenticity and depth to our artworks. By observing and rendering objects from life, our young artists developed their observational skills and honed their ability to capture intricate details and subtle nuances.🍐🎨🌞🖌️

Pears, with their graceful curves, rich colors, and intriguing textures, became our muse for the day. Our little artists embarked on a creative journey, closely examining the forms, exploring the play of light and shadow, and translating their observations onto paper. With watercolor, they unleashed their imagination, using delicate washes, layered tones, and precise brushwork to bring the pears to life. Engaging with real-life still life provides a unique opportunity for our young artists to cultivate patience, attention to detail, and an appreciation for the world around them. It encourages them to observe and connect with the subtleties of shape, color, texture, and light. Through this process, they develop a deeper understanding of the medium and gain a solid foundation for their artistic journey.🌿🌊

At Little Ashcan, we believe that creativity knows no bounds. Our young artists were encouraged to explore their own artistic interpretations of the pears, infusing their personalities and unique artistic voices into their watercolor artworks. The results were awe-inspiring, as vibrant hues, expressive brushstrokes, and a sense of wonder emerged on the paper.🌞🎨

The first day of our Friday watercolor class was filled with excitement, inspiration, and boundless creativity. Through the beauty of still life and the magic of watercolor, our Little Ashcan artists embarked on a journey of observation, expression, and discovery. As the summer session unfolds, we eagerly anticipate the incredible artworks and artistic growth that will unfold with each passing class.🌿🌊🏖️

Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the vibrant world of watercolor and the remarkable artistic journey of our Little Ashcan artists. Let the colors flow, the brushes dance, and the imagination soar! 🌞🖌️

Wrapping Up the Winter-Spring Session: Exploring the Magic of Watercolor

As the winter-spring session comes to an end, we are thrilled to reflect on the wonderful artistic journey our Little Ashcan artists have embarked upon. In our last class, we delved into the captivating world of watercolor, creating vibrant and imaginative artworks. The versatility and beauty of watercolor never fail to amaze us, and it was an absolute joy to witness our young artists embrace this medium with enthusiasm and creativity.

Exploring Watercolor:

Throughout the session, our students learned about various techniques, including watercolor techniques. From the ethereal washes of wet-on-wet application to the precise control of wet-on-dry techniques. They experimented with layering, glazing, and creating textures, bringing their artistic visions to life on the paper. Watercolor truly offers a unique and expressive way for our young artists to communicate their ideas and emotions.

Upcoming Summer Session:

We are excited to announce that in our upcoming summer session, the Friday classes will be exclusively dedicated to the world of watercolor. Our young artists will have the opportunity to dive deeper into this captivating medium, honing their skills and becoming true masters of watercolor. But that's not all! Alongside their creative exploration, they will also learn about famous artists and their distinctive styles through watercolor. This combination of learning about art history and mastering a medium will truly enrich their artistic journey.

Becoming Masters of Watercolor:

Through the guidance of our experienced instructors, our Little Ashcan artists will continue to develop their technical skills and unleash their boundless creativity. They will explore the techniques and styles of renowned watercolor artists, learning from their masterpieces and incorporating their own unique interpretations. This immersive experience will nurture their artistic abilities, broaden their understanding of art, and inspire them to reach new heights in their artistic expression.

As we bid farewell to the winter-spring session, we cannot help but feel immensely proud of our Little Ashcan artists. Their dedication, passion, and growth throughout the session have been truly remarkable. We look forward to embarking on this exciting summer journey with them, as they continue to explore the fascinating world of watercolor and become masters of this magical medium.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from our upcoming Summer Session. Let the vibrant hues of watercolor ignite your imagination and join us in celebrating the artistic journey of our talented young artists.

The World of Letters: Exploring the Art of Lettering

Welcome to another exciting week with Little Ashcan, where creativity knows no bounds! Our young artists have been diving headfirst into the wonderful world of lettering, and it's been an absolute delight witnessing their imagination soar.

Lettering, the art of beautifully arranging and drawing letters, holds a magical power. It captures our attention, evokes emotions, and communicates messages with artistic flair. At Ashcan, we believe that introducing lettering to our young learners not only nurtures their artistic abilities but also enhances their communication skills and self-expression. Throughout this week's engaging lesson on lettering, our budding artists have been introduced to various lettering styles, techniques, and tools. From classic calligraphy to playful handwritten fonts, they've explored the endless possibilities of crafting letters that tell stories and create visual impact.

With each stroke of the brush or pencil, our young learners have discovered the power of lettering in conveying moods, messages, and personalities. They've delved into the art of manipulating letterforms, playing with different sizes, weights, and styles to create eye-catching compositions. Moreover, lettering has opened a new door for our students to express their individuality. They've discovered the joy of infusing their own personal touches into their lettering creations, whether it's through decorative elements, color choices, or imaginative flourishes. It's truly mesmerizing to witness their unique styles emerging.

Beyond the artistic aspect, lettering fosters crucial skills in our young artists. It hones their fine motor skills as they carefully shape each letter, encouraging precision and control. It also nurtures their patience, as they dedicate time and effort to perfecting each stroke and curve. If you haven't already, be sure to register for our upcoming summer session, where even more exciting art adventures await; from watercolor to still life and beyond.

Unleash Your Child's Artistic Potential this Summer!

As the summer season approaches, it's the perfect time to inspire and nurture your child's creativity through art. Our art program for PreK-2nd grade offers a dynamic and engaging experience that allows young artists to develop their creative ideas and technical skills. With a focus on exploration, self-expression, and learning from the masters, our program promises to ignite your child's imagination and leave a lasting impact.

Developing Creative Ideas and Technical Skills

At our art program, we believe in fostering each student's unique creativity while gently guiding them in basic art-making techniques. Our dedicated instructors introduce children to a wide array of tactile materials, techniques, and even art history, providing a well-rounded artistic education. By teaching students how to develop ideas and make works of art, we empower them to express themselves through visual and verbal language.

Watercolor Explorations: Fridays

One of the highlights of our program is our Friday sessions dedicated to the enchanting world of watercolor. We delve into the realm of great artists and their ideas, using watercolor as a medium of expression. Through vibrant brushstrokes and delicate washes, children discover the versatility and magic of watercolor. They learn about famous artists and their techniques, allowing their own creativity to flourish as they experiment with this captivating medium.

Observational Drawing: Saturdays

On Saturdays, our focus shifts to the art of observational drawing. Children learn the valuable skill of capturing what they see through still life compositions. Guided by our experienced instructors, they develop their ability to observe and translate their observations onto paper. Through this practice, young artists gain confidence in their drawing skills and enhance their perception of the world around them.

Enroll Today and Ignite Your Child's Artistic Journey! Registration for our summer art program is now open, with classes commencing on July 5th. Don't miss this opportunity to unleash your child's artistic potential and witness their imagination soar. Secure their spot today and embark on an unforgettable artistic adventure.

Unleashing Creativity with Young Artists: Inspired by Nick Cave's Masks

Little Ashcan embarked on an exciting journey of self-expression and imagination. This week, our young artists were captivated by the incredible artist Nick Cave and his mesmerizing masks.

Let's take a closer look at their extraordinary exploration of mixed media and mask-making! Masks have a special allure, inviting us to step into a different world and explore our hidden identities. Inspired by Nick Cave's fascinating creations, our young artists delved into the world of masks, using mixed media to bring their unique visions to life. Through a variety of materials and techniques, they unleashed their creativity!

In our studio, the Little Ashcan introduced to a wide array of mixed media materials. From sparkly tape and sequins to feathers, paint, and more, they had an extensive palette to experiment with. This exploration allowed them to play with textures, colors, and shapes, giving their masks a distinctive personality.

The journey of our young artists, inspired by Nick Cave's masks, showcases the power of art to ignite creativity and nurture self-expression. Through mixed media exploration and mask-making, they have discovered new dimensions of artistic possibilities. Join us on this vibrant artistic this Summer adventure and watch your child's imagination soar!

Masks Inspired by Nick Cave

Little Ashcan used mixed mediums for this project—sculpture and paint! Nick Cave is an American sculptor known for his Soundsuit series: wearable assemblage fabric sculptures that are bright, whimsical, and other-worldly, often made with found objects. This same methodology was applied to his masks.

This week, students had the opportunity to create their own masks inspired by both Nick Cave’s Soundsuits and his own masks.

How to Draw a Monster!

Nothing can be as fun for Little Ashcan students as creating their very own monster!

This week they are moving on from portrait studies to something more creative: monsters. Developing different types of monsters, from furry to scaley, these different creature allow the student to explore different textures—and more importantly how to develop those textures using pen and pencil.

A Portrait of Known People

Little Ashcan finished their portraits off strong! Probably one of the most challenging projects they had to face, portraits inspired by Paul Gauguin. There is a multitude of steps that makes an artwork complete, especially a portrait! From the planning, to the sketch, to an underpainting, to layering cool and warm tones. Regarding the study of portraits, a lot is taught, the basics of facial anatomy!

A Portrait of the Artist as a Little Ashcan Student

Continuing with the study of Paul Gauguin, Little Ashcan took the next steps in finishing their Gauguin inspired pieces.

With their already cool base, they added warm tones in the form of portraits. The dichotomy of warm portraits and a cool background provides a pleasing contrast. Like Gauguin, little ashcan experimented with color, likeness, and composition. The mild distortion of forms add to the primitive nature of the art.

Onto the Primitive Art Movement

The Primitive Art Movement refers to the art of various historical European periods and of non-Western societies. Art belonging to this movement paintings are typically simplistic in its approach to form and color. There is a lack in conventional ideals like values, linear perspective and other the concept of proportionality.

In the spirit of Paul Gauguin and his contributions to the Primitive Art Movement, the goal is to recreate the experience of the “primitive time,” in regards to place, and person, through watercolors. In his paintings, Paul Gauguin uses a specific color palette: prussian blue, cobalt blue, emerald green, viridian, cadmium yellow, chrome yellow, red ochre, cobalt violet, and white. This week, Little Ashcan learned to differentiate between these cool and warm colors, and began their painting with the cool colors. For the past few weeks, the students learned different ways to get started with a painting, like a pencil sketch! A painting sketch or underdrawing, is a preliminary drawing artists make on their canvas that will help guide where the painting will go. This week, they developed their preliminary “drawing” with the cool tones! Next week, they will finish off their paintings with the warm tones!

February Showers Bring April Flowers

Spring Break is quickly approaching and there is no better way to celebrate than painting some flowers! Little Ashcan got to choose their favorite live flowers and paint from life. From Tulips, to Sunflowers, to Orchids to Daisies—they had the opportunity to not only look at these beautiful flowers, but the ability to learn how to draw from life!

Drawing from life is an essential skill! This skill builds hand eye coordination, helps students understand shadow, light, and perspective. A consistent practice of still lives helps students notice the finest details: from composition, to shape and form.

Coffee Now Part of Their Daily Grind!

Last week Little Ashcan had the opportunity to finish up their natural pigment paintings and we are impressed!

The crushed coffee beans and tea leaves provided an excellent base for the students to create the illusion that they are painting on their very own cave. Other naturally occurring pigments they used were chalk! All very easy to use and require no special preparation. Next class, they are returning to the classic art supplies, watercolors!

Life Is The Flower For Which Watercolor Is The Honey!

Little Ashcan is traveling back to the present and learning about American contemporary realist painter, Joseph Raffael. A lot of his paintings are done in watercolor and feature various flowers. Last week, students experimented with a lot of watercolor-like natural pigments—from coffee to beet juice. This week, they are learning to use actual watercolors!

Little Ashcan is moving on from simplistic cave inspired art onto realistic paintings of flowers. Students will sketch these flowers from life, and paint. They will learn to paint from light to dark—so they can build contrast easily.

Back to the Past

Last week, Little Ashcan learned about the Lascaux caves located in France with paintings dating back 20,000—now they are learning about the types of animals and peoples on those caves! From Aurochs to Megaloceros, they got to see how they were depicted on caves walls and how to recreate these depiction with their own spin!

This week, they’re using their own natural pigments to mimic the warm tones seen in the images of the Lauscaux caves. Next week, they will create their own pictographs and complete their very own charcoal cave painting!

Collaboration of Paint & Clay

Our final week of sculpture has arrived, and Little Ashcan applied some painting techniques learned a couple weeks ago!

Unlike Beate Kuhn, Little Ashcan took a more colorful approach. As you can see, they learned how to apply paint to a 3D form versus a 2D surface. The application process is especially more complex when the sculptures have so much detail. Each student made it their own with their choice of color and where to apply that color. The use of gold is what brings these pieces together!

Want to see more of an up close look at some of these sculptures? Check out our instagram: @LittleAshcanArt!