Have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest??! Here's yet another great find! I knew that the boys in my 5th grade class were not going to go for the traditional valentine project this year, so adding a heart to this Op-Art hand drawing was the perfect compromise!
I've done this project a few times now, and some of my 5th, 6th and 7th graders have struggled with it a bit. So, through trial and error I came up with a slightly different approach (than the original website it was pinned from). I think it's easier this way.... try it and let me know what you think!
Materials:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Black (UF) Sharpie
Directions:
1. Very lightly trace your hand with pencil, then draw a heart in the open space between your thumb and first finger.
2. Now, put your pencil away! You'll be using Sharpie only for the rest of your drawing.
3. First, cover your wrist and hand with curved lines. Start about an inch from the bottom, and draw curved lines from one side of your wrist to the other. Keep them as close together as you can. The wrist is a great section to practice on, to get the feel for drawing the curved lines. You can go back and finish the wrist after you get the hang of it.
4. Now, work your way up the hand and out each individual finger, covering the whole hand with curved lines packed closely together. The more curved you make your lines, and the closer together they are, the better 3D effect you'll get!
5. Then, cover the heart with curved lines, just like you did for the hand.
6. Next, fill in all the open spaces with lines that are parallel to the top and bottom edges of your paper. Wherever possible, try to make these straight lines connect with the curved lines you drew. Turn your paper any way you need to as you draw so that your drawing feels comfortable and natural.
7. Finally, erase your original pencil lines, which should be no problem because you drew them so lightly, right??!
8. Add some color, if you want. Voila! A valentine even a 5th grade boy can be proud of!
I can see where this modification would be easier. I, too, found the original method of using one line from side to side and curving the hand was difficult for some. I think it takes more patience! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeletePerfect timing! I have 12 books to cover for my twin's Year 1 class and I'm running out of creative ideas. I just traced my daughters' hands (the ones they write with - one left and one right) and got busy. They loved watching their hand come to life. Eventually I may be brave enough to let them try it themselves but right now, it was about getting the job done quickly.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I love it! Thanks for sharing your modifications!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I am also doing this project with a class right now, just without the heart, and I have already done a Valentine project with them this year, but what a great way to incorporate a season with a lesson!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah. I was frantically trying to find an image for this lesson...and here you are!!!!! jan
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea. I love this.
ReplyDeleteI discovered your blog (Mixing 100 Colors Post) tonight on Pinterest. I look forward to visiting it over and over again!
This is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAmy
The Crazy Adventures of a University Graduate
this is my first time, hope am welcome... very interesting and i love it
ReplyDeletewow! très intéressant :)
ReplyDeleteI've just had fun doing this and hope to be able to do it with a class tomorrow - thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy day!