Normans and Saxons...How Do We Know Who Won?

Anyone who is a student of history has heard of the Battle of Hastings. But if you are an art student, you may not know what I am talking about. But it is the art student who can truly appreciate something from that history that was left behind. We will be using it as our art model for this next project, it is called the Bayeux Tapestry. What is this you ask? Like all other posts on my blog, it is my personal opinion that it should be considered a great work of art to study during this time period. Like the Book of Kells, the Bayeux Tapestry, is just extraordinary!

In the Bayeux Museum, France

And here is why: everything use to create this amazing embroidery was handmade. Everything, the copper alloy needles used,  the flax grown and harvested, the linen woven into material, to the wool spun into thread, to the herbs harvested and then used to dye it, and the the wooden frames used to hold it as it was sewn. All of these things were made by hand. That fact alone is amazing in 1066 AD, but here is the part that will make you gasp in astonishment, yes, gasp I say!

This embroidery is 229 feet long and measures 19 in. wide.*Gasp!* It is made up of nine sections sewn together to make a long banner. The design is made up of a wide center band where the main story is told and then flanked by a boarder on either side with symbols, small pictures and decorative bars. There are also simple Latin references for the person who was a novice at reading Latin.

Close up of stitching

 There are 4 different stitches used throughout the tapestry and all the woolen colors have been dyed using only 3 natural plant dyes! However, there are 10 colors throughout the tapestry! Click on this link to learn more about this amazing fiber art piece.(Pierre Bouet and Francois Neveux , Internationa experst on the Bayerux tapestry,http://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/)

 Here is what it might have looked like as it was being made

This beautiful handmade tapestry tells the epic tale of a great battle between William the Conqueror of France and  Harold the Unfortunate of England.

Here is a History Clip to watch:

Here is a great website link on the Norman Conquest

Here is an animated version of the tapestry:

Here is a super fun interactive link where you can  make your own rendition of the Bayeux tapestry. Must print it off and bring it in for a bonus card! Just try it out and have fun. Mrs. W

**Important** Time to check your art box for your supplies and to make sure it is stocked with everything you need.  HERE is a master list for you to use. Please do this before next class time.For the next 3 weeks you will need your embroidery hoop, tapestry needle, and scissors.   

All photos are from Google and used for educational purposes

Christmas Break Art Challenge

So who will be up for the challenge? 

This art challenge is worth 2 relic cards!   So if you are behind then you may want to consider this option for earning them and catching up.Use what you have at home. It is also super fun and a great way to do some art while on break.  I will bring in what I do to show you too. 

For this art challenge you can choose:

• What medium or materials you will use. Use one, use many, use things that aren't in your art box!
• Choose your subject: Holiday Family Tradition OR Winter Wonderland this can be your interpretation of these topics-use your imagination!

Here is the challenge: you must include all the following in your artwork.

• Your substrate or what you make your artwork on, can be anything flat, measuring 81/2 x 11. Cardboard from a cereal box is great or other type of cardboard or sturdy card stock or even plain paper is fine too. 
• Calligraphy can be borders or words
• Metallic Gold or Silver-can be material, ribbon or trim, paint, glitter just a few ideas 
• Something from a magazine
• Paint

These will be due week 1 and week 2 we are back from break, to get your bonus cards. I am excited to see your imaginations and creativity at work.

 Have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends 

Big hot cocoa hugs to you, Mrs. Wombacher

Attention All Art Classes

Mrs. Wombacher with Vertigo

Hi Art Students, 
I am coming to you from my easy chair at home- crazy right!?? Well, I have had better days and I am sorry that I was unable to be with you all for our art lessons. But with technology I can come to you virtually, isn't that great!!! So pay attention because you all have something to do this week, to keep us all on track. This way, we won't miss a single thing! Hoooooray!

GeoArt and Maps: 

Okay kids get a globe or map and find the continent of Europe, now find Great Britain or the United Kingdom or England. Now look at the country south of Britain across the English Channel. Do you see it? 
Now printout this document and build it with your mom or dad. All you need are scissors and glue or tape. Do you know what this building is called? Can you be ready to tell me 2 facts about this country?  I am sure you will know which one it is. Also practice our country chant and motions in front of your mom too. You can bring your project week #6 so we can put a flag on top!

 HIS Medieval Art Class:

• Download the worksheets from the HIS website on decorative elements. These are labeled boarder worksheets 1-4 under Art materials.
• Look over and follow step-by- step, adding the next thing as you go. 
• Please only use period colors-no bright pinks or neon orange etc. Stick to deep muted colors.
• You may use colored pencils, crayons, or your watercolor crayons.
•  Please decorate the title pages (the page the sticky tab is on or the page before your project, in your book of hours) for each section we have learned Roman and Uncial(Celtic) using the decorative boarder elements you have practiced from the worksheets.
• You may use any combination of elements learned from the lesson worksheets. 
• My hope is that you complete a border on one page and maybe corners or corner boxes connected a with decorative border on the second title page.
•  When writing the title for the 2 sections we have learned, please use that hand or style of calligraphy lettering.  
• Use your calligraphy pen, mark your guidelines with pencil. Get out your stroke instructions if you need a reminder!
• Make sure to leave spaces and portions of elements uncolored so that we can illuminate them on the last week before break with gold paint!
• If you are unsure how to do it in your book then do it on another piece of paper and we can cut it out and paste it in week #6. 
• Come to class ready with a boarder to illuminate with gold.  We may even have a special guest hhhmmmm! So be prepared!

Immanuel Art Class:

We will be doing the same thing as above during class time, but Mrs. Essman may be there teaching you instead of me, if I am not better by then.  She will have all the worksheets for you.

Any questions I am an email away! Thanks for your patients I hope to be better soon! 
Mrs. Wombacher