"Fauve" Portraits on Wallpaper & Scrap Paper Animals

A few months ago, I acquired a free book of wallpaper samples.  Today, students painted abstract portraits on sample pieces of their choice.  I explained color value, how to use successful highlights and shadows in the "wrong" colors (they weren't allowed to use flesh tones), I allowed them to use any size brush and lastly, told them to use as many colors as they wanted.  Once again, the students showed me their imaginations know no limits. 


The second project of the day was VERY messy, but students used old scrap paper and what paint remained on their palettes from the first assignment to create cut-scrap paper collages.  A few young ladies in the class created the beautiful little flock pictured below.  Student comments follow. Thanks for clicking! 

"The cut-scrap paper assignment was fun, creative and allowed us a lot of freedom in the work."

"I liked doing the abstract portraits because we were free to use odd colors."

"I liked mixing the different colors of paint to get just the right color."

"Using the 'wrong color' for abstract faces was fun because this project really stood out from the others."