Today, we’re going to have a fun and creative art lesson, painting flowers and plants. This activity is perfect for sparking imagination and teaching basic painting techniques that children will love. Plus, we've included a special video that was part of a series designed to teach teachers how to teach painting in the classroom in the 1980s.
What You Will Need:
FAS Super Tempera or FAS Student Acrylic Paints
Paintbrushes of different sizes
Water containers
Paint palettes
Drawing paper or canvas
Pencil and eraser
Paper towels or cloth for cleaning brushes.
Steps:
Introduction:
Start by showing the children pictures of flowers and plants. Then, talk about the different shapes, colours, and details they can see.
Sketching:
Give each child a piece of paper or canvas and ask them to sketch a simple flower or plant lightly with a pencil. Encourage them to get creative with their designs.
Colour Mixing:
Show the kids how to mix colours to create different shades and tones. Let them try mixing colours on their palettes.
Painting the Base: Have the children start by painting the background or larger areas of their sketches, like leaves or petals. Encourage broad strokes and colour blending.
Adding Details: Once the base layer is dry, guide the kids to add details like veins on leaves, petal edges, or the centre of the flower. Use smaller brushes for this step.
Finishing Touches: Encourage the children to step back and look at their paintings. They can add final touches and adjust any areas they think need more colour or detail.
Clean Up: Remind the children to clean their brushes and tidy their work area. Talk about why it’s important to take care of their art supplies.