Art Curriculum- Week 20- Stained Glass Trees in Watercolor

Week 20- Stained Glass Trees in Watercolor

Movement: Abstract Expressionism

A project that goes hand in hand with this one is our painting that uses a wet on wet technique to make splatter painted trees in watercolors. To view it click here.

This project was ultimately taught to 3 different groups. Kindergarten-3rd + 4th-6th + our ordinary group of 6 kids (all of whom take the other 2 classes only split up to fit their age groups).

What you will need:

-multipurpose paper
-watercolors
-sharpie
-brushes
-paint palettes

Time: 1 hour

Prep:

The tree is based on a picture I saw on pinterest that I expanded on a bit... So design for the tree is not mine. Each of the trees had to be drawn/traced on by hand and then gone over with sharpie because the paper was too big to fit in the printer.

The hearts are designed by my sister, Sarah, for the younger class.

Execution:

• Each child gets a brush, a paint palette (or shares depending on how many you have), a cup of water, and a blank sheet of paper with 8 sections on it.
• First we practiced with the blank sheet. I had them always try to lay down the lightest color first before adding the darker color (for example, yellow and then blue). Once we were comfortable with laying down color in a neat fashion had practice making the colors run and blend with each other we moved on to the Tree.
  
• For my older class of 4-6th graders I could let them go at it themselves. Filling in each panel with separate color schemes. Some of them were really creative and ended up with cool patterns.
  
• For the the younger ones, I don't think some of them quite got the part about "keeping the panels separate so that they don't run into each other and make mud) but the colors are still fun and vibrant!

older class 4th-6th grade

Remember to lay down your paint quickly and don't overwork your colors!

Enjoy!

Related blog posts:

-Expressions in Color

(logging 3 hours for prep and execution - includes teach 2 separate groups)