Cloisonné Birds
Grade Level: 3-6

Description:

The art of cloisonné is a jewelry making technique in which thin copper or silver wires are soldered onto a copper or silver shape, forming a design. The shapes enclosed by the wire are then filled with enamel powder or frit. The piece is then fired briefly in an enameling kiln until the enamel melts and becomes glasslike. The result is a colorful design outlined by gleaming copper or silver lines. This project echoes the look of cloisonné in that the design is created in a raised metallic medium, white glue mixed with a powdered metallic pigment. Colors are added in the spaces with chalk. Birds are so colorful and are made up of such interesting shapes that they are a great subject for this process. This lesson could easily be tied to a study of birds in science.

Objectives:

Students will become familiar with two processes new to them: actual cloisonné and the adaptation of it in this lesson.

Students will look at their subject matter, in this case birds, and find the essential shapes.

Materials:

You will also need:

Directions:

Teacher Preparation:

Pour the glue from the 4-oz. bottles into the bowls. Stir in enough of the gold Metallic Pigment (or you may chose a different color) to color the glue, about a tablespoon per ounce. (The glue will look considerably more metallic when dry, but it is best to do a test bottle first and measure the pigment in tablespoons. Be sure you can achieve the look you want before you start with the students.) Carefully pour the glue back into the bottles. Each drawing, at 12” x 18” will take about an ounce of glue.

With Students:

  1. Either work with the science teacher on a study of birds for your students or introduce the topic yourself. You might begin by walking around the neighborhood, if there are plenty of trees. A field trip to a zoo with an aviary would be a real delight. Pictures from books and magazines will suffice. Suggest that your students visit a pet store to view the birds there.
  2. Discuss the myriad of species of birds and their various colors and shapes.
  3. Have students sketch a bird in a very large size in the center of a piece of the black construction paper. Sketch a simple border that repeats some of the shapes used to draw the bird.
  4. Show students some actual cloisonné pieces or photographs of some. Explain briefly how they were created. Then explain that they will create a bird that looks somewhat like a large cloisonné.
  5. Demonstrate how to draw with the nozzle on the bottle of colored glue. Emphasize maintaining even pressure on the glue bottle. Show how a toothpick may be used to help create the kind of line desired by dragging the glue.
  6. Students should now go over their pencil lines with glue. When completed, set aside to dry (several hours, at least).
  7. After the glue is completely dry (hard to the touch), the students may color the spaces with chalk. They may blend it and create a smooth look or let their strokes show.
  8. Spray fixatives may be used with these two cautions.

National Standards:

Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media techniques and processes.

Grades K-4: Students use different media. techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories.

Grades 5-8: Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities of art media, techniques and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions.

Grades K-4: Student use visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas.

Grades 5-8: Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

Find the listed standards at the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/vamain.asp