Cezanne Fruit Baskets

1st Grade: Cezanne Apple Baskets

1st Graders learned about Cezanne and explored his many colorful fruit still lifes. We talked about his warm colors and the variety of colors he used in each fruit. 

I found this project on Artsonia and loved the many colors in it..and thought it would be great for first grade to try. Students created the woven pattern on the basket by using "tally marks and equal signs" (ABAB pattern). Students then drew 9 apples (3 of each color-lots of counting going on here!) We discussed ways to place the apples in the basket to look like a real basket full of apples-overlapping and tucking in the apples so they were "behind the basket" and not in front. We also talked about light and shadow. Students added shadow and highlights to their apples with oil pastels. Students created a pattern for the tablecloth with sharpie marker and filled in with oil pastels. They brushed baby oil on to the pastel to create a wash affect. Not sure if I'll do baby oil  again in the near future, as the baby oil scent in the art room was a bit much! Though, I do love the results. The background was created using crayons and texture plates. Lots of different elements going on in this project-texture, pattern, and lots of color!

Great job 1st Grade!