Abstract Watercolors

Here's a great lesson to do after you have introduced the concepts of line, color and shape. First we made one large shape in the center of the paper with crayon. Then we added three or four lines from the edge of the shape to the edge of the paper. Lastly we added one or two smaller shapes if they wanted. We talked about making a balanced composition. Then they filled in the positive and negative spaces with different color watercolors.

Sometimes I add the concepts of warm and cool colors to this project. They can make their lines and shapes in all cool or all warm colors and use the contrasting colors for the watercolors.

 

Materials: watercolor paper cut in smaller rectangles (this helps them not get overwhelmed by a large space to fill), crayons, watercolor paint

Great Read Alouds for Art

Some great favorite books to read aloud during art time:

Beautiful Oops: how there's no such thing as making a mistake in art
Emma's Rug by Allen Say: a beautiful story about creativity
Ish by Peter Reynolds
The Art Lesson by Tomie de Paolo
Art by Patrick McDonnell
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
No One Saw by Bob Raczka

I am recently obsessed with the new 13 Series by Prestel publishing (13 American Artists Children Should Know, 13 Women Artists Children Should Know, etc...)

This publishing company (a division of Random House) also does some wonderful coloring books based on artists.

I just bought the Miro one and am hoping to incorporate in a lesson on shape and line.

Intro Lesson

For the first lesson I like to start by asking the learners what they actually think art is. I usually get answers like "painting" "making stuff" or "drawing". Then I read the book Art Is aloud to the class. The examples in the book open up their understanding of all the different things art can be. The book includes great examples like Christo's surrounded islands and a readymade by Picasso made of a bike seat and handlebars.