The Big Empty Jar

by Elise Rothamel

Learning targets: 

  • To explore drawing everyday objects; Observation
  • Envision and making personal choices as an artist
  • Express and experiment with line, shape, texture, space and color
  • Utilizing fine motor skills; drawing, scissors and gluing
  • Self-expression and self-awareness
  • Communicating through art

Items you will need: 

  •  Paper 
  •  Drawing supplies:  pencils, crayons, pens, sharpies, colored pencils, markers.

Drawing supplies: stack of white paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons.

 

Instructions:

  1. Draw three long flat circles near the top of your paper. Place them close together.Drawing of top of the jar on paper with black pen.
  2. Connect these circles together along the sides.
     
  3. Draw the sides of the jar using a line that swoops out a bit.
  4. Draw the bottom of the jar by connecting the two sides.
  5. Add a small circle on the bottom of the jar. Add small lines along edge of jar to create a reflection and the sense of form.
  6. What are you going to fill this big empty jar with? Let your imagination run wild! Draw it!
    IDEAS: 

    • Candy: gumdrops, lollipops, gummy bears, 
    • Cookies
    • Gum Balls
    • Bugs
    • Crackers 
    • Gumdrops
    • Fish 
    • Turtles 
    • Plants
    • Flowers
    • Dog/ Cat Treats
    • Popcorn
    • Crayons
    • Pretzels

    Drawing of a fish inside the jar.

  7. How can you show and express texture in your picture? Can you create space and depth in your drawing?
    Adding details to the inside of the jar like pebbles and plants.
  8. Now have fun with adding COLOR to your picture!
    Coloring the fish orange with orange marker, crayon, and pencils. Adding color to plants, pebbles, and water.

Stretch and Explore! COLLAGE!

  1. Grab some old magazines, scissors and glue.
    Drawing of jar with collage materials like magazines, glue, and scissors.
  2. Fill the big empty jar with fun pictures and words YOU like. Things that describe you! Think: favorite foods, animals, places, weather, etc.
    Collage inside of jar drawing with clippings of animals, text, and natural elements.

Now Try:

Draw three (3) different big empty jars! Fill them up!

Drawing of three jars on one piece of paper. The first jar is filled with drawing of colorful pebbles.

 

Challenge!

Write a poem or short story about your drawing and what is in the jar!

Complete fish in jar drawing with crayons and colored pencils.

Example of a Haiku Poem:

My fish is bright orange 

Swimming in the gold sunlight

My fish seems happy

 

Reflections:

  • What did you like about this activity and/or enjoy about this process?  
  • Did your artwork turn out like you expected? Why or why not? 
  • If you could change something, what would it be?
  • What parts of the artwork do you feel are most successful?
  • Did you face any challenges? How did you overcome them? 
  • What is something you learned by doing this artwork?
  • Did you notice anything about yourself as an artist during this project?
    How will this influence you during your next project?

 

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