This lesson introduces students to basic printmaking concepts as well as watercolor resist techniques. Owls are the theme.
By Andrea Mulder-Slater and Therese (Terri) Jodouin [Andrea is one of the creators of KinderArt.com, Terri is an artist and art teacher.]
What You Need:
- White paper (computer paper is fine; legal size is best)
- Crayons (or oil pastels)
- Blue tempera or watercolor paint
- Paintbrushes
- Black poster board to mount completed artwork (optional)
What You Do:
Talk about owls and view photographs of owls.
Tell students that they will be creating a picture of an owl sitting on a branch, at the edge of a lake.
Demonstrate the following technique:
- Fold the paper in half width wise and reopen it.
- The drawing will be created above the fold, on the top portion of the paper.
- Using a dark colored crayon, draw a branch for the owl to sit on. Place this branch near the fold in the paper.
- Again, using a dark colored, crayon, draw an owl sitting on the branch. Focus on the basic shapes of the owl. The owl’s head is shaped like a heart, or a kidney bean. The owl’s body is shaped like an upside down teardrop.
- Using a dark colored crayon, draw the outline of a moon behind the owl’s head (see diagram).
- Go over all of your lines, making sure that they are nice and heavy.
- Fill the moon in with yellow, pressing hard.
- Lightly color in the owl with brown or black crayon.
- Fold the paper over.
- Press hard so that the crayon makes an impression.
- Open the paper.
- You should see a “reflection” of the owl, branch and moon on the bottom half of the page.
- Enhance lines where needed.
- Paint over the picture with blue watercolor or watery tempera paint.
- Let dry.
See photos of this lesson plan on Mrs. Smith’s Blog
http://artwithmrssmith.blogspot.com/2010/08/owl-reflections.html
