First Grade Nutcracker Drawings

1st Graders have been working hard on an observational drawing unit. Observation means to look closely. The artists began by exploring lines they know (curvy, wiggly, zig zag, straight, etc.). Next they observed nutcrackers and noticed how nutcrackers are made up of many types of lines and shapes. While looking at the nutcracker, students drew what they saw in pencil, starting with big parts (body, head, legs, etc.), then small parts (eyes, hair, hands, etc.), and finally with the details (mustache, jewels, belt buckle, etc.). Next, students imagined the setting their nutcracker would be in, and drew this from their imagination; in art, we call the setting the background. To help them get some ideas about where a nutcracker might live, we learned about the nutcracker ballet and the story of Clara and her nutcracker. 

After this, they traced their lines with sharpie and added color with oil pastel.

Lastly, students used watercolor paint to finish their beautiful works of art. They learned that water and oil don't mix, so the result was a watercolor resist, in which the oil pastel pushed through the watercolor, creating a very interesting effect!

Please enjoy first graders beautiful nutcracker drawings!

Jadiel 1R

Tyrell 1R

Benjamin 1R

MJ 1R

Clara 1R

Kathleen 1R

Rafael 1R

Otis 1R