UNIT: Art Through Different Mediums

Lesson #4

Title: Watercolor

Abstract: Through analyzing the watercolor masterpieces of other artists and their own, students
will learn how to create art in a new way and analyze components in their own art that convey
emotion.

Grade Level: 3rd grade

Standards: 1) Create a personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and
materials. 2) Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.

In-Class Instruction Time: 45-60 minutes

Group Size: Entire class, small groups, individual

Life Skill: Painting skills, analytical skills, creativity

Teaching Style: Lecture, demonstration, group discussion, hands-on learning, social interaction

Intended Learning Outcomes: 1) Students will learn basic concepts and skills of watercolor, 2)
Students will learn how to describe a certain place in their own words and also describe it
through their own art, 3) Students will learn about art history, including when watercolor began
to be considered a form of art.

Background: Students will have a basic knowledge of art terms, such as “shade, blending, tint,
stroke”, etc. They will be familiar with basic art tools and how to use them. They should be
familiar with the color wheel, especially the primary colors and what colors they make when
mixed with each other.

Materials:
 Paintbrushes
 Watercolor kits
 Cardstock paper (or any kind of paper that impedes bleeding)
 Cups of water
 Cloths/paper towels
 Pencils
 Erasers

Introduction: What is watercolor painting?

1) Provide a brief history of watercolor, when it originated
a. Watercolor painting is very old, dating back to cave paintings of Paleolithic
Europe, and has also been used for manuscript illustration by the Egyptians and
 also by the Europeans during the Middle Ages. It emerged as a more well-known,
continuous, form of art beginning with the Renaissance. One of the famous
Renaissance artists, Albrecht Durer, is considered one of the first advocates of
watercolor, and provided the world with many works of art, such as paintings of
landscapes, animals, and plants.
b. Watercolor became even more prominent in the 18th century (particularly in
Europe), mostly because watercolor constituted as one of the elements of a good
education. We have seen this as a means of art ever since.
c. Show different pieces of watercolor paintings throughout history
2) Explain your objective
a. Tell the students that they will be creating their own pieces of watercolor art
today. Encourage them to pay close attention to the techniques you will teach so
that they can know how to create something of their own.

Image of early cave painting, made by watercolor

Instructional Procedures:
STEP 1: Teach students how to use watercolor tools
1) Teach them how much water to mix with the color to reach desired consistency and
pigmentation. Have them practice dipping their paintbrushes in water, then in one of the
colors. Have them paint a couple strokes on a paper, then dip it in water again to clean the
brush off, then tap off excess color onto paper towel/cloth.
2) Encourage creativity, but explain that proper cleansing of the brush after use of each
color will prevent unwanted mixing of colors in palette, and will prevent making big
messes in the classroom. …watercolor is an excellent form of art…great to portray
nature/landscapes because colors all blend together beautifully…look at how many of his
watercolors had similar color schemes so they could blend nicely
STEP 2: Teach a few concepts and principles of watercolor.
Throughout this step, demonstrate how to do these things first, then let them try, guiding them
along the way.
1) First, show them how to achieve different shades with the same color. Show them that by
adding more water to the color, the color will have a darker shade, and by adding more
water, the same color will be lighter. Show them an example of Vincent Van Gough’s
flower painting (see below):

(Unknown) by Vincent Van Gogh

a. Explain that it might be easier for them to start out using the same color, but with
different shades. Help them see that art can still be beautiful when even just a few
colors are used.
b. The students will now try the same thing, each choosing a color and creating
different shades of that color.
2) Second, review the color wheel. Begin by asking them the following questions: Do you
remember the primary colors? Which colors are they? Which colors are created as a
result of mixing blue with red, red with yellow, and yellow with blue?
a. Tell them that you are all going to paint your own sunset. Tell the students to
make a stroke of yellow. Have them clean off their brushes, and then to make
another stroke, but this time in red, overlapping the yellow stroke. Ask them what
they see. Help them understand that mixing primary colors makes the watercolor
flow well. Show them what happens when mixing two colors that are not
complimentary or primary.
b. Show them the following painting, and analyze together which colors the artist
used to achieve blending effect.
 Sunrise by Georgia O’Keefe

STEP 3: Students create their own piece of art

1) Ask the children to close their eyes. Have them think of a place they’d want to be.
Explain that this could be a place they’ve already visited, want to visit, or a place they’ve
merely imagined. Clarify that this place should be somewhere in nature.
2) The students will now begin painting, using the techniques and skills they’ve just learned.
You will walk around the room, complimenting students on their masterpieces, while
answering any questions and concerns they might have.
STEP 4: Share their piece with a classmate
1) Assuming children will be seated in pods (with an even amount of desks), each will have
a partner. Have then turn to their partner and do the following:
a. Share what they painted
b. Share why they chose this place (why they want to be there)
c. Share what their favorite part of this place is
d. Share what about this place makes them feel good
STEP 5: Clean up
1) When children are done discussing, have them place their paintings on a drying rack.
2) Have the students clean up.

Bibliography:

“Cave Paintings.” Dawn Greer's Portfolio, 17 Feb. 2011,

dawngreer.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/25/.

“Van Gogh Museum Unveils New Acquisition of Van Gogh’s ‘Pollard Willow’
Watercolor.” Watercolor.net, 10 May 2012, watercolor.net/van-gogh-watercolor/.

“Sunrise (Watercolour), 1916 by Georgia O'Keeffe.” My Favorite Arts,

theartstack.com/artist/georgia-o-keeffe/sunrise-watercolour-1.