SchoolArts - March 2007

were excited to begin without having to redraw the original design.

I wanted the finished paintings to retain the inspiration of the initial drawings (all artists know that much can be lost in this translation) and to complement the creative spirit of the Jaune Quick-to-See Smith work. I knew that art tissue paper and oil pastel would be the perfect materials combination to simulate both the bold linear design and brightly colored, translucent washes of the paintings. The surprise factor and pure fun of this process is also wonderful for releasing any concern for failure that traditional watercolor technique can bring to young painters. I gave a general demonstration of the surprises that art tissue paper brings:

• It releases its color when wet with a brush, each color to a greater or lesser degree.

• Colors blend and bleed together, sometimes unpredictably.

• The wet tissue paper resists the oil pastel.

I instructed students to use their oil pastels only for tracing over old photocopy lines or for adding detail and decoration, leaving all background finishing to the tissue paper. I showed them how they could lay a large piece of art tissue over their entire drawing and still be able to see the image underneath. This allowed them the ability to select and control which areas would receive what color. It also gave them the pleasure of washing in large spaces of color quickly.

Emboldened by the magic of the materials and a feeling of preliminary success, each student dove into the assignment with gusto. The tissue was placed over the drawing where desired, then painted with water. Removing the wet tissue revealed the resist and colors from the tissue. The finished paintings paid such great homage to the artists in their passion, imagery, and imagination that they were later displayed at the museum, in the entry hall, during the last month of the exhibit.

Stephie Morton is the children's creativity specialist for the Serimus Operating Foundation, which supports her art outreach work in the community. She is also the founder of the children’s art workshop at the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art in Colorado.

Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

www.fcmoca.org

www.flomenhaftgallery.com/art- ists/Jaune_Quick-to-See%20Smith. htm www.pacon.com

Editor’s Note: For a more comprehensive demonstration of painting with art tissue paper, go to: www. pacon.com, click on Paper Products, next click on Tissue & Crepe, and then click on Spectra^® Art Tissue™ and watch a short video!