Saturday, June 25, 2016

Farewell (for now)

Hello Scholars and Parents,

Congrats Josh H.
We have completed another year of awesome art-making and I appreciate the hard work many students put into their pieces.  8th Graders (now high school students!) learned about Graphic Novels, Batik, Weaving, Grotesque Mask-making in plaster, and silkscreening.  The 7th Graders learned about Abstract Artwork and the Principals of Design, Scratch Artwork, Printmaking, and Value Drawings using the value scale in different medium.  6th Graders became Pop Art experts after looking at the Pop Art movement and the work of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.  FISK scholars used what they learned about design and line creation to create amazing graffiti pieces using oil pastels.  They finished out the year working on "That time they Fell".  Fifth graders learned about the artwork of Alexander Calder and his wire sculptures, the color wheel and color schemes in through self-portraits, earned painting licenses and discussed their future selves while looking at skin tones and how the media discusses people of different races.  NOT TO MENTION A FRIENDLY BOUT OF CONNECT FOUR COMPETITION!  A lot was accomplished this year.

Max will get to know his cousin.
I have bittersweet news to share: I will not be returning to CPCS for the 2016-2017 school year.  My family and I have decided to move closer to Philadelphia so our son can be closer to and get to know his relatives.

To say I will miss my CPCS family, is an understatement, but I will be sure to stay in touch.  Good luck to all of you.  You can always reach me through my website: jenhillmanprints.com (on the contact page) or please email: jenhillmanis@hotmail.com.

Best of luck to my students...I KNOW YOU WILL GO FAR.  Stay focused on why you are in school!

Friday, May 27, 2016

Art Class COUNTDOWN

Well, it's REALLY happening...we are getting closer to the summer and the current school year's close.
No matter what grade you survived this year, I hope you are aware that MY STUDENTS ARE AMAZING.  I've seen so much growth - whether it was academic, artistic, behavioral or emotional, I love my kids (a.k.a. my students).  As the school year comes to a close, we have to understand the limited time we have in Art Classes, so I will do my best to make sure we finish strong...will you make that same effort?

6th Grade ~ FISK

3 THUMBNAILS DUE NEXT CLASS
 How about that GRAFFITI "Wall" we put up?  The soft pastels really POP and the artists in FISK excelled at their design task of creating a graffiti tag with 3-5 characters.  They blended those soft pastels to perfection too!

NOW...on to GESTURE, the figure, with the "THAT TIME I FELL" artwork.  Scholars have to create three THUMBNAIL SKETCHES (small sketches used to figure out their composition, or layout).  They may use gesture drawing for the figure but the final piece will be more realistic.  Scholars should also include information from their Art Mad Libs classwork, where they described the setting of their artwork.  SETTING IS IMPORTANT for your artwork and should include BACKGROUND and FOREGROUND (you FALLING will most likely be the foreground of your artwork).

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

7th Grade ~ FAMU Artists

Sun Prints drew a crowd!
A handful of students were able to work on the sun print task because they came prepared for class.  If you scholar (or if YOU are the SCHOLAR) who came unprepared for art class last Wednesday, you are doing this:
1) Research & be able to explain all Printmaking Techniques (see below list) in a digital slide show that will be presented to FAMU.
2) Choose two artists that work in each printmaking technique.

3) Choose two pieces of artwork from each  artist and technique and give credit line and info about the artist.  Add photos to slideshow or poster.
Craftsmanship is KEY for this...Minimum of 12 slides if creating a digital slide presentation.  If creating a poster, make sure information is clear and easy to read.  DESIGN HEADINGS using line variations.
TECHNIQUES
a) Lithography
b) woodcut
c) Silkscreen
d) Etching
e) Monotype
f) Monoprint

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

8th Grade ~ MOREHOUSE ARTISTS

One of the winning designs by Aliyah B.
T-SHIRTS for Senior T-Shirt Due Tuesday.  We print!

T-Shirt should be a light color and mostly made of cotton.

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.





5th Grade ~ XAVIER Artists
As the quarter ends, I want my youngest artists to finish SUPER STRONG!  The final project is a piece about your future self.  We have talked about how the primary colors (red, yellow and blue) plus white create many beautiful skin tones.  My students are SMART, KIND AND IMPORTANT , in other words: awesome! I want to know how you are going to put your talents to use as adults, so the FUTURE SELF PORTRAIT will include information from the ART MAD LIBS task that infused nouns, adjectives and verbs to help us plan out the artwork.  We start final sketches this week after the THREE THUMBNAIL SKETCHES are completed in class.  Come prepared and ready to work.

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Decked the Halls

We decked the CPCS Hall(ways)!!!
(Scroll down to see what I'm talking about)

5th Grade ~ Xavier
These artists have been exploring the wonderful world of color and they are completing their color wheel designs to show understanding of the primary, secondary and tertiary colors.  The class had a discussion about skin tones and had to figure out how to create their own skin tone using the primary colors and white.  This is a difficult task but students used their arms as the gauge!  Watch this space for more on this thought-provoking project.

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

7th Grade Scratch Artists
Students in FAMU have been working hard on the current project where they could choose to create a pattern field, line variations or a portrait of a human or animal.  Artists used linoleum tools to scratch into the clay sheets to reveal a white in their artwork.  The task they must complete is to create a piece that has high contrast and allows the eye to move around their composition.  Understanding value and light helps create the illusion of depth when applied to drawings.  FAMU scholars are doing a great job.
Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

6th Grade Artists in FISK
The completion of the graffiti tag using soft pastels left students wondering 'what else can we draw?" so the GESTURE DRAWING project began.  Students will embark on the truth about artwork - you can draw anything if you break it down into shapes.  Understanding how to create dynamic emotions is a skill students can use throughout their artistic growth.  They started with basic hands and will continue with full body poses.
Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

8th Grade AWESOME MOREHOUSE
These hallways are full.
There isn't much more I can say about these grotesque masks other than the fact that I am SO proud of my students for their hard work and dedication to this project.  Great work Morehouse!  Next we vote on the Senior T-Shirt design for the silkscreen project and learn about that Pop Artist Andy Warhol, who made silkscreening so popular!
Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.




Thursday, April 28, 2016

We BREAK for Art (post-break, that is!)

Hope everyone is having a relaxing break!  I just completed grading for Xavier and FAMU and things are looking UP!

School is back in session on Monday, May 2nd, so get ready for fun and extreme ART MAKING!

THIS IS NEEDED TO PASS THE PAINTING TEST!
5th Grade XAVIER Artists
Be sure to check the online grade book for the most up to date grades for art class.  The Do Now grades and the Color Wheels.  Students will have a chance to complete the wheels when we return.  The next project will focus on foundations in painting and color.  Remember that PAINTING test?  It's up to you to know the steps to cleaning your brushes properly and you will have to demonstrate how to do so when we return.  Good luck!

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

6th Grade FISK Artists
Prince Mural in Fort Hamilton
That GRAFFITI is looking so nice and I heard how you all were passionate about the process when Ms. Miller-Hughes covered my class.  I'm SO proud! When we return it's PASTEL time!

In the meantime, keep your eyes open...Have you noticed more street art going up around Brooklyn?  This piece is in response to Prince's death and it's near us!  Look at the colors and how they blend together.  You will be using soft pastels in your tags.  Make it count.

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.



7th Grade FAMU VALUE ARTISTS
One of the answers to the test.
The test results are IN and the majority of students NAILED IT!  Great work!  This week we continue with value and line application.  You will not be disappointed but you must trust that my directions and your own creativity!

Mural artists...I need you to contact me ASAP.

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.



8th Grade MASK MAKERS
No duck faces, please.
Grotesque masks should be completed by end of class this Tuesday.  We will add sturdy wire to hang the work and show off the amazing creations.  I am SO proud of this group.

If you still need to get baby photos to me OR any other amazing photos you want to share with your graduating class, please email them to me ASAP.  Thanks!

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

pre-SPRING BREAK ART CLASS

This is what I fight for and you should too.  Watch this video on Science + Art Education.

8th Grade Morehouse
We continue with our mask projects.  They are to be totally completed by Tuesday, May 3rd (after we return from Spring Break).  Make the most of the class time we have this week.  They look so good and that's not a lie.

5th Grade Xavier
Completion of Warm + Cool color Self-Portraits by Friday.  Next project will incorporate all that you've learned with the color wheel and color theory.

7th Grade FAMU
Alternate projects continue.  Work on following classroom expectations and reap the benefits!
All FAMU scholars have a vocabulary test next week.  Use a dictionary or www.artlex.com to look up the vocabulary words.  Be able to define these terms in your OWN words:  
1) Hatching
2) Cross-hatching
FAMU Artists understand the value of VALUE!
3) stippling / pointillism
4) scumbing
5) value
6) value scale
7) gradation
8) contour
9) composition
10) shade
11) kneaded eraser
12) dimension
13) texture
14) realism
15) contrast
16) form
17) shadow

6th Grade Graffiti Artists
Soft pastels are the medium of choice for the next project.  

QUESTIONS????  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

A+R+T is Art during Math State Tests

Yes...it's happening.  Art class on the days of the Math State Tests!  It's a FAKE BRAIN BREAK because you are still learning and creating in school...and you LOVE IT.

Let's enjoy this time.

8th Grade ~ SPELMAN & MOREHOUSE
BABY PHOTOS ...ASAP.  Email to Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.
MANDALAS...I want them.  Get them to Ms. Hillman.
Morehouse, your masks continue when we have art class.  That's all there is to it.  DID I MENTION I WANT YOUR BABY PHOTOS?????  Any other photos you love that are school appropriate and with your classmates, please email to me.

7th Grade ~ FAMU
Joseph's artwork.
Sy'rae's Missy Elliot
The value in understanding VALUE was upon us, then FAMU crushed it.  We continue with this important element of art and start a still life next week.

In the meantime, the Value projects are the latest bulletin board showcase, so come up to the 3rd floor and see what all the hype is about.

Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

6th Grade ~ FISK
Graffiti is their jam.  Working on alphabet design this week.  That's all.


5th Grade ~ Xavier Self-Portrait Dreamers
When I grow up I want to be...


Questions? Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

April Art (no fooling)

With the ELA State Tests this week, the schedule will be wacky...but who cares...let's all do our part to make the best of these weird days.

GET PLENTY OF REST EACH NIGHT AND EAT BREAKFAST EVERY DAY.  That's excellent advice, by the way.
Here's what's been going on in art class (and what's to come):

8th Grade Grotesque Mask-makers

The Focus!!!!
Morehouse scholars have been working really hard and diligently to create the MOST grotesque
masks.  Students have now GESSOed (primed) their masks and are adding their color patterns with acrylic paint.  Students have learned about proper acrylic cleanup to save our brushes!
If you look at the masks and they make you sick, then Morehouse scholars have done their job.  Stay tuned to the blog to see the progress and find out when the masks will be displayed on the CPCS walls.

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

Backup plans are good!
5th Grade LIFE PLANNERS!
Kadedrah's dreams
My dream is to...
Xavier artists explored their future plans while working on their self-portraits for the most recent project.

Students filled their page with their self-portrait while looking in the mirror.  They focused on just the inner and outer edges (CONTOUR LINES) rather than shadows.  Prior to this, students have been studying the color wheel and all of its intricacies...not only the primary and secondary colors, but the tertiary (the combination of a primary and secondary color) and warm and cool colors.  They are incorporating ALL of these into their self-portraits.  These are bound to look great and I'm so excited to see how the artwork progresses.

Students who are working on alternate projects need to continue with the expectations and directions for each project.  Focus!!! You can do it!

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

7th Grader's Learn about VALUE in Art 
Value is one of the ELEMENTS OF ART (a.k.a. one of the building blocks of art).  Understanding how to create the illusion of 3D on a 2D surface (in this case, our paper) is something all professional artists tackle at some point.  FAMU artists were challenged in art class when they were given the task of replicating (copying) values.  First they practiced with the value scale...then went on to bigger things: portraits.

The UPSIDE DOWN VALUE PROJECT required students to trust the directions given to them in order to complete this project.  In art class (and in life!) we can't give up when things get difficult.  Trusting is hard to do, but students who can learn to listen and trust will allow themselves to get new information and take it from there.  CORNY?  Maybe.  Look at the results when posted and you can decide.

AUTUMN, CAN YOU GET THOSE DESIGNS TO ME THIS WEEK?

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.


6th Grade GRAFFITI ARTISTS
AMAZING!!!!!!
SAMO a.k.a. Basquiat.
The last POP art project culminated into a whirlwind of other artist information:  Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and his SAMO tag name, BANKSY...there are more to come.

It was with great enthusiasm that FISK artists wanted to learn more about graffiti and the social implications ("isn't it illegal?") of such artwork.  We are covering it all!

FOR HOMEWORK: Scholars were to design 1 alphabet using different styles and then design the alphabet using ONE of the styles they loved in the first part of the homework.  DUE THIS WEEK.

STAY TUNED!!  Questions?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.