For this activity, plaster bandages where molded on a finger and created into finger puppets through many steps.
The process of creating the finger puppet was broken down into several steps which consisted of creating the body of the puppet, adding the features using smaller plaster pieces, drying, painting and detailing. During the process various materials such as plaster bandages, water, paint, and sharpies were used. It was rewarding to watch the product come together and evolve closer towards completion with each step as I built the 3-D model, waited for it to dry, painted and drew on the detailed features -JESSY-
In this activity, each material and step plays a significant role in creating the finger puppet. Even though the materials are used in different ways, they can be combined together to create one piece of artwork. As an art educator, it is important to let children explore a variety of mediums through which they can express themselves. It is the art educators role to foster children’s creative expression in visual arts by providing them with diverse materials that allow experimentation and exploration -HANA & JESSY-
“Having previous experience with using this material, I used my finger to smooth out rough edges in the plaster and fill in all the empty spaces. When the wings of the penguin were too wet to stay attached to the body of the puppet, I was required to engage in some problem solving. I pinched my fingers to hold down the wings until it is dry enough to have it hair dried” -HANA-
“Although I have had experience with using plaster bandages, I had not thought of using it with children. This experience inspired me to use more diverse materials with children when teaching art.” -HANA-
By focusing on the experience children have creating their puppet rather than the product, children are able to create for the purpose of creating (not to achieve a final product). During the process of art, children will be questioning and discover through their own hands-on experiences. The process approach will allow children to create meanings for themselves and make their own decisions. It is the role of the art educator to implement a process approach to teaching art to support their artistic development.
The element of Mass and volume can be seen in all three finger puppet. Volume is what gives a product its third-dimensional characteristic, and mass characterizes it in terms of weight, quality, and size. The details on the finger puppets such as the beak, whiskers, paws, tail or nose create a three dimensional aspect. The finger puppets are relatively small, light, and hollow and its volume is taken up when it is worn on the finger.
The element of texture is also present in the each of the finger puppets. This term can be defined as as touched feeling of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional work of art. For example, Joanna’s cat has different features such as the whiskers, paws and ears which protrude from the figure create a spiky texture. In all the puppets, the underlying plaster creates a rough and slightly bumpy texture even though the paint on top is solid and smooth.
-HANA, JOANNA & JESSY-
A Teacher’s Toolbox
Other three dimensional art activities: you can use this websit to take some inspiration for other 3-D art activities
3-D Art and Sculptures: this website provides accessible and open-ended 3-D art activity ideas for children