The Forest.

These fabulous paintings on watercolor paper were created by 4th grade art club members. 

Going along with our Nature Studies and Georgia O'Keeffe we created these in 40 minutes, all before school started at 8:30a.m.  We first talked about layering. I told them I saw a painting that I loved and thought we could create our own forest in a different way.

Step 1

Students used tempera paint and painted the tops of trees. Two different sets of trees were painted, one set larger in the foreground using one color and one medium-sized set in the middle ground using another color. 

Lastly, at the bottom of the watercolor paper 

three different tempera colors were used over lapping each other to give the illusion that this is the forest in the background. 

Step 2

SPRAY THE ART TEACHER!

These students were so excited that I gave them the spray bottle of watered down tempera to spray a texture look on their paper. Unfortunately, for me they didn't have the best aim and major over spray hit my hand and arm as I held their papers. 

Oh well, lets just say the rumors were flying that the fourth graders were spraying me and that I had a really hairy arm! lol.

 I didn't care, they are such great kids and hey, paint can be washed off, right?  

The parents were telling me the next day about how excited their children were after that 1st meeting.

Step 3

Glue down painted paper strips that resemble the trunks of the trees. These strips were pre-painted in a previous class.

Step 4

Stamp and/or paint smaller branches on the trunks with black tempera paint.

This was really easy to do and gives a great design

 element to the paintings.

Painting Branches with Small Brushes

Stamping branches with white x-ray cardboard

The students just loved creating them.

Here are some of their finished paintings.

Materials:

12 x 18 Watercolor Paper

Tempera Paints

Various Brushes

Cardboard

Painted Paper

Enjoy!

Laura :)