Ferris Wheel at Night Chalk Pastel Drawing

Around here carnivals pop up now and then along the roadside.  They look so pretty from a distance with all the beautiful, colorful lights spinning and twirling.  Students can create this effect by blending chalk on black paper.  I like to use black card stock because it's blacker than construction paper.  Don't worry about results, the idea is to have fun.  The finished projects will probably look more abstract.  As always it's good to have some reference material.

This version of the project allows students to try the mirror-image reflection.  I used sharpie for the dark pier.  I also used painters tape to mask off the horizon.  Painters tape won't tear the paper.  This works best with high-quality pastels.  It might be even brighter with acrylic paint, but I love the way chalk makes it glow.  Maybe mixed media?  I should do more experiments.  Sorry I haven't had students examples recently.  I think those are very important.  Future post will have some soon!

Northern Lights Art Project

On one of my many treasure hunts through the book section of a local thrift shop, I found Aurora Borealis a photo memory.  It was full of amazing pictures!  This project goes quickly, so it will only take a short time.  This would be a great make-and-take for an art fair booth.

Materials
black paper
chalk pastels
scrap paper
paper towels
sharpie
example project and photographs

Procedure
1) Scrub chalk pastels on scrap paper to make powder
2) Rub a paper towel on the chalk and then on the horizon line to give the horizon line some contrast
3) Use a black marker to draw the objets on the horizon over the chalk
4) Create the effect of the aurora borealis by using the paper towel to smear streaks of bright colored chalk

This takes some practice.  Students often try to use chalks that are too dark in color.  This is a great project to teach the importance of contrast.