Mommio: Art Class

This week in art class we learned about the Limbourg brothers (Herman, Paul and Johan) who were artists employed by the Duke of Berry in France in the early 1400's.  The brothers were well known for their manuscript illuminations and the Book of Hours they created for the Duke.  They were young teenagers when they came to live with and work for the Duke.  In their early years they spent a great deal of time studying their surroundings- the landscapes, seasons, and the numerous animals that the Duke had imported from around the world.  They studied these animals to learn more about form and often made sculptures to become better painters.  Today the kids made their own papier mache sculptures after observing photos of various animals.
First, they looked at toy animals and through books of animals and chose one they were most interested in.

Then we played with the new papier mache mix a bit to get used to it.  It is an instant papier mache mix called CelluClay.  It says "Just Add Water"...so here we go.

After getting the feel for the material the kids began to sculpt their animals.

For homework we will let them dry and paint them.  Next week we will learn more  about the Limbourg brothers and  manuscript illumination: what is it? how was it done? etc.  And we will create our own illuminations of our names.  Here are the finished sculptures-