SchoolArts - December 2011

paper. Tell them to “Cut like you mean it!” The first pass with the blade needs to make the cut. If a cut needs to be gone over a second time, it will usually not be a clean one.

Don’t Quit Now

Time to glue. It’s often at this step that students might want to give it up. “Don’t quit now! You’re coming down the homestretch and the results are amazing!” It’s best to work back to front, using rubber cement. Skinny brushes or cotton swabs will be needed to apply the glue since the brushes that come in the rubber cement cans are far too thick.

Glue the second layer to the solid
back layer, being careful to get as
much of it glued
down as possible.
The really impor-
tant layer is the top
layer. Repeat the
process, gluing the
top to the second.
Be sure that noth-
ing pops forward.
The flatter and smoother, the better.

Gently use a rubber cement eraser to remove glue that has seeped out in unwanted places. It’s done! Congratulations!

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students apply media, techniques, and processes with sufficient skill, confidence, and sensitivity that their intentions are carried out in their artworks.

Not Another Layer!

After the first layer is completed, students are ready to select the second layer color. It’s best to hold the first layer on top of the choices to get a better understanding of what the second color will look like when viewed through the top layer.

When this contrasting color has been chosen, students are just about to rebel, thinking “Not another layer!” It’s safe to promise them that the second layer is much quicker than the first, with cuts that are much more random. Once this layer is cut, the third layer is selected. This layer is left solid and acts as the background. The layers can each be cut slightly larger than each other if borders are desired.

WEB LINK

central. hcrhs.k12.nj.us/artshow

Starting an introductory course with lessons that almost always guarantee success, creates a strong foundation on which the course can be structured.

Objectives

Students will:
•;demonstrate;their;under-
standing of the importance of
strong color contrast in order
to create a striking design.

•;demonstrate;their;ability;to successfully use an X-Acto knife to intricately cut layers of paper that, when placed together, will create a cohesive composition.