The Skitch Sketch

January 20, 2009 by Theresa McGee · 3 Comments 

Skitch is a great visual teaching tool. It’s a free download for Mac users that allows you to upload a photo or take a screen shot of an image on your computer and draw or type on it.  Skitch is really no different than a simple draw program, but the difference is that it is EASIER and FASTER!  

Here’s the proof: I created the Skitch image on the left in exactly 1 minute 58 seconds.
Start by choosing a photo from Flickr, iPhoto or take a screenshot from the Internet. Next, use the tools on the either side of the Skitch screen to draw directly on the image.  It is that easy!  

I also use Skitch while discussing historical artworks by drawing arrows and labeling different areas of the image I want students to focus their attention on. It’s also a useful tool to quickly ”break down” an object in to simple shapes.  Check out the example below of how you can use the drawing tools to simplify an image of a bird for younger students to draw.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got 3 minutes? Watch the Skitch demo below.

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

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National Culture Secretary

January 19, 2009 by Hillary Andrlik · Leave a Comment 

A ground swell of excitement for the inauguration of a young hip new president brings a push for the appointment of a cabinet level secretary of the arts. Renowned music producer Quincy Jones has personally advocated for a national culture secretary for the past ten years. Last year an online petition was even started by New York musicians Jamie Austria and Peter Weitzner to grow support for Jones’ idea. 

Today’s article - Quincy Jones urges national culture secretary to Cabinet - published by The Washington Times sites how the arts not only allows children to express themselves, but also creates new jobs and strong growth.

Filed under: Cool + Creative, In The News
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The Inauguration Through Portraiture

January 16, 2009 by Theresa McGee · 1 Comment 

I have been searching for a way to honor the Presidential Inauguration through art. Today I found a YouTube video via Free Technology For Teachers that I think it captures exactly what I was looking for. This video is a cronological portrature documentation of all 44 presidents and is a great way to discuss portraiture in American history. Fun fact: Barack Obama is the first president to have his official presidential portrait taken using a digital camera.

(If you can’t access YouTube from your school, try some of the bypass solutions suggested in an earlier post.) You may also find an earlier post: American Revolution Portraitist useful in your discussion.

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From Tagging to Teaching

January 4, 2009 by Hillary Andrlik · 1 Comment 

Former tagger (graffiti artist) John “Zender” Estrada shares his talent by teaching L.A. youth. His class is called Skillz ‘N Action and takes place every Sunday at the Santana House in East Los Angeles. John teaches a variety of basic art techniques to help his students’ raw talents grow in the “no rules” world of graffiti. He shows us that talent and inspiration for art and teaching can come from anywhere.

Click here to read the full LA Times article about his amazing work with local kids.  There is also a short clip of Estrada in action with his students below.

(Trouble viewing this movie? Try this link.)

Filed under: Cool + Creative, Educators in Art, Techniques
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Education Made Easy by Jing

January 1, 2009 by Hillary Andrlik · 1 Comment 

Ever wondered if there’s an easier way to teach a colleague how you manipulated an image in PhotoShop. Want to share what you do with those nifty Google applications? If you’re like me then you’re the only art teacher in your building. There’s never enough time to help with daily tech questions, prepare lessons or collaborate. Now there’s a tool that allows you to answer technology  “how to” questions with out leaving your desk.

Jing Project is a free screen capture solution that will allow you to share what your doing on your computer with others. A fantastic tool for teaching short five-minute-or-less “how to” videos. The easiest way to show you what Jing is about and how it works is to use Jing. Just click on the videos below to see a great Jing “how to” from MacApperVideo and Jings official video.

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this link.)

(Trouble viewing this video? Try this Link.)

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