Charley Harper Inspired Birds

BEAUTIFUL BIRDIES

Inspired by Charley Harper

Charley Harper's bold graphic style 
is a feast for the eyes.

We're so inspired by his 
colorfully geometric birds -

we made a few of our own

smallSHOP style!

Birds by illustrator Charley Harper (1922 - 2007)

First, we practiced drawing in Harper's style -

we used minimal lines to capture 
the essence of each bird's posture

then added playful geometric patterns.

We studied Harper's spot on color choices

and designed our own color schemes 
using watercolor pencil and gouache.

Charley Harper Inspired Birds by 7 year old artists:

Simple and Sweet

Keep Creating!

Always,

smallSHOP

A Whale of a Time!

AHOY MATEY!

Dive into our drawing lesson...

smallSHOP's WONDERFUL WHALE SHIPS

We start by drawing a friendly floating whale...

Then we add crisp architectural details to create a ship on top!

smallSHOP artists use complex line work and color to add their own flair.
Each whale ship becomes completely UNIQUE!

Perfect for ANY age!

We love that this lesson can be simplified to appeal to our littlest artists...

Whale Ships by 3 Year Olds:

Whale Ships by 5 Year Olds:

... complex and dynamic to challenge older artists!

Whale Ships by 6 - 12 Year Olds:

Thar She Blows!

Have a creative day.

Always,

smallSHOP

Art Science

Watercolor + Ice + Salt = Art Science Fun

We froze ice globes, but you could use any ice. 

Rub it with salt. 

Gently drop liquid watercolor on it and 

see what designs you make. 

As this is made of ice, if you want to keep 

a memento of the art, snap a pic. 

Otherwise, just let it melt away and remember the fun you had!

Happy Summer. 

And remember, do something creative today!

Always, 

Sage and smallSHOP

Spring flowers in progress...

Spring flowers in full bloom at smallSHOP

Pretty Little Pet

We asked our student's to print a photo of their pet 

or the pet that they might want. 

We spent time sketching and figuring out how to draw each animal. 

Once they felt confident, they were asked to 

lightly sketch in pencil on a wood block. 

Using pencil, gouache (a thicker watercolor) and 

colored pencils we had them show fur and 

the shades of the color in the fur. 

We are so impressed by their work. 

The above artwork is by 1st and 2nd graders!

Oh! smallSHOP kids make us so proud!

Try your own. 

Use wood the wood grain is just beautiful. 

Always, 

Sage and smallSHOP

WILDFLOWERS: Delicate, Shadowed and Colored

Happy Spring and Almost Summer from SmallSHOP Artists. (Ages 10 & 11)

In this lesson we encouraged our students to take a walk and really look at their environment. Each student chose flowers that they like and held them their hand. We looked at each one and talked about the contour, cross contour and detailing lines. We first sketched with pencils the basic shapes. We then talked about shadowing. Lastly added watercolors. Enjoy these little masterpieces by smallSHOP Artists ages 10 and 11.