Knights, Scratchboards and Mini Landscape Exhibits at Orland Park Library

Have you ever wondered how Medieval Armor was made? St Michael 5th graders have recently created Artwork designed to emulate the armor of a medieval knight. Under the guidance of Carlin Glennon, St Michael’s Art Director, they learned what the armor was made of and how and why it was used. Then, students chose from 3 different outlines of a Knight and created a plan in pencil. Using a wooden tool, the students then transferred the outline to a sheet of foam backed foil. Modeling tools were used to work in the relief. Students learned how to achieve a variety of different effects, pressing into the back to make some areas “pop out” and working the front to make areas recede. Black India Ink was rubbed into the grooves to accentuate the 3-dimensional quality and to give it an old-world patina.
Mrs. Glennon’s 7th and 8th grade students are researching the art of Gustav Klimt, who often used a metallic medium and also about 19th and 20th century characteristics of Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau scratchboards are produced using a pre-made black scratchboard with a gold layer underneath. Students cut out a figure from a magazine and outline it onto the black scratchboard, cutting away the garment and gluing down the head and arms into the outline. Using a scratchknife, students design patterns into the garment area. The scratching reveals the gold underneath.
The Jr. High students also created "Mini Landscapes". After discussing what elements go into a landscape and the definition of a collage, students used various colors, thicknesses and textures of papers. The size limitation focused greater attention on where the artist wanted the viewer to look and the need for good craftsmanship. The exercise led to a good understanding of how to create a strong composition.

For more information about St. Michael School or to schedule a private tour, please call (708)349-0068.