Third grade students recently completed their amazing Banyan Tree art projects.

There is an unusual and amazing tree that originates in India called the “banyan tree” It is unusual because it has so many trunks. The branches of these massive trees are constantly sending out roots from the top that anchor into the soil below and expand to become additional trunks. A single banyan tree may cover an area nearly 1,500 feet in circumference and have more than 3,000 trunk-like roots!

This project introduced the concept of “negative space.” The interesting pockets of space that are created within the branches and trunks of this drawing are the “negative space” (or space around the object). Compositions are improved when artists give careful attention to the space around objects and how they relate to the subject in a painting rather than leaving this space empty. This project uses “blazing” color (blending oil pastels) to anchor the tree into the picture and create reflections in the water.

Well done third grade students!!

The project idea came from this wonderful book which would make a great addition to any elementary art classroom!

Publisher: Crystal ProductionsISBN-10: 1562903500ISBN-13: 978-1562903503