Rousseau Jungle Print

This lesson is inspired by the jungle paintings of Henri Rousseau.   The child can use leaves found either through a nature walk or in the backyard to use for printing.  The student can experiment adding blue or yellow to green. 

Vocabulary to Introduce:
printing

Materials:

-tempera paint (blue, green, yellow, red)
-leaves (magnolia leaves work exceptionally well)
-paint brush
-white paper

Preparation:

Place paint on paper plates in a triangle (green, blue and green, and yellow and green) but allow the child to mix the colors as this is an enjoyable part of the lesson for them.

Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process:

Symmetrical Fish

This is a simple and fun lesson to teach young children about the primary colors and symmetry.  

Vocabulary to Introduce:
primary colors (red, blue, yellow)
symmetry

Materials:

-tempera paint (red, blue, yellow)

-white paper

-scissors

Preparation:

Fold enough sheets of white paper for each student/child in half.  Draw half the fish on one side of the paper.  Be sure to mention to the students they must hold the paper together when they cut (I have had students open it up and after cutting the side with the fish drawn were totally puzzled as to why there was nothing on the other side) and when they cut it will create the same shape on the other side.  You can place a paper plate of each color with a paint brush or if you are working with very young children you can place drops of paint for them asking them for placement.

Age Modifications:

Depending on the age of the child you are working with you can vary the difficulty by either allowing them to draw the half of the fish themselves on the paper or allow them to trace a half stencil to create it.

Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process:

 

"The Little Owl" Drawing Lesson

Albrecht Durer was a German painter and printmaker who is considered one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance.  This drawing lesson is inspired by his nature studies and in particular "The Little Owl."  It is important the students be able to draw basic shapes on their own to be able to create this picture (four years and older is suggested).

Vocabulary to Introduce:
geometric shapes (circle, oval, traingle, etc)
nature studies
Northern Renaissance

Materials:

-textured paper

-oil pastel

Note:

For younger children the lesson should focus not on the realism of the picture but making them aware of the combination of simple shapes that can be used to create a bird.  

Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process:

Poppy Field Printing

Create a field of poppies using string glued to either a paper towel roll or flat water bottle and sponge cut flowers.  This lesson is an excellent practice for young three and four year olds. 

Vocabulary to Introduce:
printing

Materials:

-white paper

-string

-a paper towel cardboard roll or flat water bottle

-white school glue

-tape 

-newspaper

-tempera paint (green, red, and black)

-sponges cut in the shape of poppies (two or three different size flowers and one or two circles for the center)

Preparation:

This is a two part lesson.  Allow the students to spread glue and taping the string to one end of the paper towel roll/water bottle, let them wrap it around the object several times.  Tape the other end down and set aside to dry.  To speed the process you can use a hair dryer to dry the glue.  Place one plate of green paint on each table along with one piece of newspaper.  Set aside one plate per table of red and black paint, placing the flower shape in the red and the circle center in the black. 

Age Modification:

Older students can paint the flowers themselves rather than printing with sponges.

Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process: