Aztec Inspired Animals Completed!!

Kids in 1st grade have finished their Aztec Inspired Animals. Children first explored drawing realistic images of animals using shapes. They then chose one of their favorite animal drawing, enlarged it and painted it all black. Children were then introduced to some Aztec Animal images and created a visual list of common characteristic they found in these images. To complete their Aztec animals they used detail brushes to decorate their animals with these decorative elements.

1st Graders learn about realistic drawing

For our painting unit we will be making stylistic paintings of animals inspired by Aztec representation of animals. To begin we started with realistic drawings of animals. I explained to the kids that shapes are found everywhere, even in animals. I also taught them about using "details" such as fur, whiskers, feathers, claws, eyes, nose, etc are what makes the drawing even more realistic. They were so proud of their drawings that they wanted to take them home right away. They need the drawings to inform their paintings next week.