Line Drawings Part II: Owls and Cats

In keeping with my theme for line drawings, I'm posting a few of my samples that I have done with my students over the years. I don't like to show "teacher samples" as I don't feel that helps you much with your expectations, but I'm making an exception here. Hopefully, you'll get inspired to try a few with your students this fall.

The instructions are simple and are mostly the same for all the line drawings that I do. Start with a directed line drawing (these are great at the beginning of the year because it gives you an idea of how able the kids are at listening) and then progress to showing examples of patterns. Let the students finish up their drawings at their own pace. Many teachers I've talked to love to have their students work on these line drawings while reading a book. It gives their hands something to do, while listening intently to a story. Beware though, some kids cannot listen and draw at the same time. Many will stop drawing! Either way, it's good for the child.
Here are a few samples of cats, owl and fish. As you can see, you can do any animal, even insects (think ladybug!). The focus is to teach children about patterns. To extend this project, cut out the image and paste onto a colorful piece of construction paper. The contrast of the black and white drawings is stunning with a bright color.

Owl Paintings for Second Grade

Here is a great alternative to the Torn Paper Owl lesson that I posted last month. Using the same directed drawing lesson, draw the owl onto a piece of black paper using a white oil pastel.
Provide a palette of grays, browns, white and black tempera paint.
I demonstrate how to double-load two paints onto their brush to blend paint directly onto their paper. This is a great technique since it eliminates the time and mess of having the children blend the paint on a palette. I find when they do this, it takes them along time to find just the "right" color.
Show the kids how to make short brush strokes to imitate feathers.
Lastly, add a moon and stars.

Torn Paper Owls for Second Grade

These adorable owls were created by my second grade students. It appeared to be the perfect project for them. Each student determined which owl they wanted to draw: in-flight or sitting. Tearing the bits of paper proved easy for their nimble hands. I'm quite sure that this lesson would be suitable for either first or perhaps third, but any higher grade might find the project too simple.

Supplies

• 12" x 18" blue construction paper

• Scraps of browns, whites, grays and black paper for the owl

• Bits of green, orange or yellow paper for the eyes and beak

• Glue sticks and scissors

• Black, yellow and white oil pastel for drawing the outline

Step: 1 Drawing the Owl

On the white board, I show the students how to draw a simple owl. I tack a few pictures on the white board to give examples of sitting owls and in-flight owls (Picture books are good references).
After my demonstration, you can either do a directed line drawing with the students, or have them draw on their own (About five minutes). Have them draw in oil pastel and if they make a mistake, either turn the paper over if it is major or simply tell them that they'll be covering up most of the drawing with paper.
Add stars and a moon and color in deeply.

Step 2: Filling in the Owl with "Feathers"

Provide a variety of browns, grays and black paper either in a container on each table or from a central station in the art room. Show the kids how to tear the paper into long strips then into small squares. It helps to have a bunch of feathers before gluing.
Now, swipe the glue around a small area and fill with feathers. Work fast before the glue dries!
Fill in the entire face first. Yes, you will cover the eyes but the kids will remember where they are! Get ready for step 3...

Step 3: Adding the Beak and Eyes

This is the only time the children need scissors. Cut out large circles for the eyes and another smaller circle to go inside the eyes. I generally let them chose their own colors. I like the eyes that look like fried eggs!
Do the same for the beak.

Step 4: Filling in the Wings and Body

For best results, encourage the children to use different colors for the body and wings. If they are the same, they tend to blend in together. Show them how to do multiple colors for feathers, stripes, etc.

Tip: Most kids can finish this project in two forty minute lessons, but of course, some need much longer. Keep a tray of "feathers" for future classes so when time becomes available, the child can return to his project and finish.

Alternate Owl Drawing:

Eric Carle Inspired Owl Art Lesson

Slightly less time consuming than Barns and Farms, Owls take only two classes to complete. Follow the instructions for Day One: Getting messy (see below). For day two, I use Owl templates. You can create your own. Draw a simplified owl, then trace the parts onto cardboard or tag board. The kids can use the templates or not. I encourage the kids to add a night sky, branches, rocks, etc.
(The owls were created by Mrs. Biondo's 3rd grade class in 2005)