Magnificent Metal

As we know, artists use lots of different mediums.  Do you remember what an artistic medium is?

Some artists use metal to build and sculpt and others  use metal to show off their drawing skills!  Let's find out how that is even possible.

Metal embossing and Repousse push and move the metal using tools to imprint marks and designs  onto the surface. (what's the surface?)  Embossing presses lines and patterns into the front side of the metal. While Repousse pushes the metal from the back raising up the design.  The metal can also be worked between the created lines to raise areas of the metal.  

Artists around the world work with metal and metal tooling is created most often in tin, copper and aluminum.  In Mexico there is a folk art tradition of making tin ornaments.

Repujado which is the metal tooling art. Hojalata means tin artwork in Spanish.  The metal is malleable which makes it easy to create details in the surface.  What does malleable mean?

Mexican Folk Artisans shape, stamp, punch cut and paint metal into decorative and sometimes functional art.  It's popular and inexpensive and the shiny surface is part of the quality.

You may choose to make a metal embossed ornament and if you don't we will still add the process to our creativity bank account.

Place a piece of cardboard on your table. The metal needs a soft surface to press into.

You can sketch a design in pencil onto the metal or start drawing with a stylus.  

Patterns with short lines will be easier to draw into the metal. If you are making longer or curved lines slow down the metal is slick and the stylus can slip and wobble. (turn mistakes into a beautiful oops)

Draw with a wooden stylus.  Go over the pencil lines while firmly pressing into the metal surface. 

Draw on the front.  More lines  will create more visual interest.  Press lines into the front, press lines into the back and repeat back and forth from front to back.

Embellish with colorful sharpies, beads and ribbon

What do ARTISTS do?

of course they CREATE ART!

We know artists can paint, draw, collage, cut, sculpt, mold, weave, photograph, sketch, bead, glue, sew.

Beyond making art, what else do artists do?

ARTISTS Envision...

they visualize or picture and idea in their mind.

ARTISTS make a plan...

they think through or write the steps to make their artwork.  They sketch what a drawing might look like.  They get their ideas out of their head and onto paper.

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ARTISTS take care and respect their materials...

including taking care of their studios.  What are some ways you take care of materials? (snap that cap, don't break pencils, organize supply baskets, etc.)

ARTISTS try new things...

they are brave and take risks.  they explore and experiment with new art supplies.  they learn to use new tools, materials and space.

ARTISTS talk about art...

We have share time.  Artists talk about their ideas, the materials they used and the process of making art.

ARTISTS make mistakes... 

and are willing to try again.  We know that if we make a mistake in drawing, we try 3 fixes before a new piece of paper --front and back, beautiful oops and an eraser.  How does an artist fix a mistake in other studios?

ARTISTS observe...

artists look closely, pay attention and notice details.

ARTISTS collaborate...

artists work together.  Artists cooperate and listen to one another to create art. 

ARTISTS reflect...

they think about what went well, what they need to learn and what they can improve.

ARTISTS work hard...

they are focussed and spend time on their art.  Some artists can spend years working on a piece.  We say, "if you just started it today, it really should stay".  (there are some exceptions to this rule, often birthday cards and jewelry)

ARTISTS share materials...

they take turns and are respectful as they collaborate.   

ARTISTS practice and explore...

artists try new ways and methods to create art.  

ARTISTS exhibit their work...

share their creativity with the world

ARTISTS understand the art world...

they go to museums, look at art, read about art and talk to fellow artists, they are part of the art community.

ARTISTS use their visual voice...

artists communicate their ideas, feelings, values, concerns, current events.

Through a massive painting, Picasso expressed being upset and critical of war attacking his country.

ARTISTS contribute to society...

projects like Empty Bowls where artists use their art to raise money for people facing hunger and murals that beautify cities and towns.

Which of these behaviors do you do as an artist?

Artists do more than make a pretty pictures!


*(Thanks Kari Schepker-Mueller for the inspiration for this mini-lesson.)