Gaston Chaissac on Glass

Gaston Chaissac’s art has a look that reminds me of simple, colorful, modern pottery. His simplistic view is evident in this Gaston quote, “Without a doubt I have a soul that is very close to a circus performer, who, like me, hardly know how to write and am not instructed by what they see.” His art isn’t limited by rules or other’s expectations. I have included a PowerPoint presentation of Chaissac’s art with this lesson.

In this project, we are using glass jars and painting on them in the style of Chaissac. This is a project that will take at least a part of three art sessions.

First Session and Supplies List:

• Clean glass jar or bottle
• Alcohol
• Cotton ball
• Newspaper
• White craft paint or tempera paint
• Flat artist brush
• Gaston Chaissac Art (PowerPoint)

1. Wipe the clean glass jar with alcohol. With a ½” flat artist brush, paint the jar with a coat of white craft or poster paint. Let dry thoroughly.
2. Watch the PowerPoint presentation of Gaston Chaissac’s art. Discuss his life and his use of color.
3. Give the glass jar a second coat of white paint. Let dry.

Second Session and Supplies List:

• Newspaper
• Three different colors (Like blue, green and purple) Then add a shade of each color (Like sky blue, olive green and lavender)
• Flesh tone paint
• Black paint
• Three shader brushes (about ¼” wide)
• Liner brush
• Paper plate
• Water
• Paper towels

1. With a pencil, lightly draw a face shape somewhere on the top third of the jar. Draw interesting shapes over the rest of the jar.
2. Choose just three different colors, but two shades of each color to paint your jar.
3. On the paper plate squeeze out an eraser sized puddle of each of the colors chosen.
4. The first coat of paint will not fully cover, so don’t try to cover the white with one coat.
5. Paint the face shape with the flesh toned paint. Then paint all the shapes around the face and over the jar with the colors you have chosen. Remember: It will take for sure two coats and maybe a little touch up to get a nice covered look.
6. With black paint and the liner brush, outline each of the shapes.
7. Print your name and the date at the bottom of the jar or bottle. Let dry.

Third Session if you have an oven in the art lab. (or this is a Teacher Job)

1. Set the painted glass jars or bottles on a pan. Place them into an oven set at 350 degrees. When the oven gets to that temperature, leave the oven at that temperature for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven, but leave the jars in the oven until the oven cools.
2. Don’t use the glass for 3 days.

5th Grade Projects Gallery: