Bronxville News

Second graders culled ideas from their memory, experience, knowledge and imagination to create winter wonderland paintings in Kendall Fousek’s art class. They drew lines with black crayon or Sharpie pen before adding watercolor paint to depict mountains, snowflakes and skiers. 

“Their artwork is becoming more detailed, their drawing skills continue to develop and their painting skills are progressing,” Fousek said. “The students also enjoyed sharing their artworks with each other.” 

Fousek said she has been teaching her students different ways that artists find inspirations and ideas for their drawings. They’ve also been exploring different art processes inspired by the winter season and read several illustrated children’s books, including “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats, “The Mitten” by Jan Brett and “Snowflake Bentley” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. In addition, they explored texture when they created their own snowy day acrylic paintings, adding details with oil pastels and creating paper snowflake collages. 

“The more that children draw, the more developed their drawings become, the more detailed, fluid and expressive,” Fousek, said. “We have been working on thinking about the whole page and drawing more fuller and detailed figures and images. Students are continuing to develop skill with watercolor paints. They are also building their familiarity with procedures and gaining independence. They are learning through practice how to care for materials and tools.”

Through art creation, the students have been able to explore their authentic artistic voice, continue to hone their fine motor skills and build confidence in their ability to create imagery.