Art Attack: Stained glass (with tissue paper) | TinyTraverse
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Stained glass (with tissue paper)
Unleash your creativity with Stained glass (with tissue paper)! Fun, easy art projects for kids ages 6-12. Discover new skills and express yourself with TinyTraverse.
Introduction
- Dive into the colorful world of Stained glass using tissue paper! This fun-filled project transforms simple materials into dazzling, light-catching art. Perfect for young creators aged 6-12, this activity is both an exciting and educational way to explore artistic techniques. Welcome to TinyTraverse's Art Attack series, where creativity knows no bounds!
What is it?
- Stained glass (with tissue paper) is an art technique where colorful tissue paper is used to mimic traditional stained glass. Instead of using glass and lead, this method involves cutting tissue paper into shapes and arranging them on a clear, sticky surface like contact paper. It’s perfect for kids because it's mess-free and allows young artists to experiment with color and design. Historically, stained glass is associated with beautiful cathedral windows, telling stories through vibrant imagery.
Materials Needed
- Colored tissue paper (variety of colors)
- Clear contact paper
- Black construction paper or black tape
- Scissors (safety scissors for kids)
- A pencil for tracing
- Apron or old clothes to protect from colors
- Newspaper to cover surfaces
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut shapes from the colored tissue paper. These will be your 'glass' pieces. Aim for a variety of shapes like squares, triangles, and random patterns.
- Roll out a piece of contact paper, sticky side up. This will be your canvas. Ensure it's secured on the table to prevent movement.
- Arrange the tissue paper pieces on the contact paper to create a design. Overlapping pieces can create new colors! Encourage creativity and experimentation.
- Once satisfied with the design, cover it with another sheet of contact paper, sticky side down, to seal your artwork.
- To create a 'frame', cut strips of black construction paper or use black tape and place them around the edges of your contact paper.
- Optionally, cut the 'frame' into patterns or shapes to make it look more intricate and realistic.
- Hold your artwork up to the light or hang it on a window with tape to see it shine bright.
Variations and Inspirations
- Try using themed colors for different holidays, like green and red for Christmas, or pastels for Easter.
- Create a landscape scene by layering blues for the sky and greens for the ground.
- Experiment with different shapes – create animals, flowers, or abstract art.
- Incorporate translucent tape or cellophane for added texture and shine.
- Use metallic or glitter tissue paper for a sparkling effect.
Famous Artists and Artworks
- Louis Comfort Tiffany – Known for his stunning Art Nouveau stained glass, Tiffany’s work is embraced worldwide, notably the Tiffany lamps.
- Marc Chagall – Famous for his stained glass windows, particularly Chagall’s vibrant windows found in cathedrals such as those in Reims, France.
- Gilbert Poillerat – A lesser-known artist whose stained glass artworks blend classical and modern styles. His works inspire with their delicate detail.
Art Vocabulary
Mosaic
An art form made by assembling small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials.
Example: The children made a mosaic of a fish using cut tissue paper.
Translucent
Allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semitransparent.
Example: We used translucent tissue paper for the stained glass effect.
Composition
The placement or arrangement of visual elements in art.
Example: Sarah planned her composition carefully to balance the colors in her stained glass.
Palette
A range of colors used in a particular artwork.
Example: Using a bright palette made the stained glass project stand out.
Contrast
The state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition.
Example: The contrast between dark and light colors in the stained glass was beautiful.
Cross-Curricular Connections
- Creating Stained glass with tissue paper connects with history when learning about medieval cathedrals and stained glass windows as storytelling tools. It integrates with math when measuring and cutting precise shapes, enhancing skills in geometry and spatial awareness. In science, explore how light passes through different materials and observe how colors mix when layers of tissue paper overlap, introducing basic optics principles.
Gallery Time
- Encourage children to display their Stained glass artworks by taping them to windows where natural light can illuminate them beautifully. For digital sharing, take photographs and create an online gallery or slide show that can be shared with family and friends, always with parental supervision. Discuss the creative journey, reflecting on what inspired different designs and techniques used.
Interactive Quiz
Current Score: 0 / 1
What are the two main materials used in creating tissue paper stained glass?
Conclusion
- Stained glass with tissue paper is an amazing, hands-on project for kids to explore colors and light creatively. This activity nurtures artistic skills and multitasks into classroom lessons like history and math. Keep experimenting and dive into more artistic adventures with the TinyTraverse Art Attack series!