Winter Landscapes

In this winter tree inspired project, students studied the art element of color. They reviewed the color families of primary and secondary colors and then learned about the intermediate colors. They learned that intermediate colors are made by mixing one primary and one secondary color together. For example: yellow plus green equals yellow green. Students practiced using watercolors to create all the colors they needed for their painting and learned how to blend them together to make gradual color changes. When they were done with the watercolors they used black paint to carefully add the silhouette of evergreen trees to their painting. Then, since it is a winter inspired painting they splattered paint it snow on their artwork.

Winter Cityscapes

Students in grades 4-6 created these lovely winter cityscapes as an exploration into architecture, value and shading! We began by creating a unique cityscape- drawing homes or buildings and adding detailed architectural elements. These were drawn in pencil and then traced over with sharpie. For the background, I let students choose a color of paint and then create a gradient sky. We talked about the art element of value- the lightness or darkness of a color. Adding white to a color is called a tint and adding black to a color is called a shade. Students were to mix the colors and create a minimum of 5 different values in their sky. The final step was to cut out the cityscape and attach it to the value painting. We also used oil pastels in the same color to create some shadows on the buildings and white paint to add snowflakes. 

Winter Penguins

We began this project as our one winter art project of the year, even though we haven't had snow in Texas for several years. The first step was a discussion about lines in art and how they can be used to show movement. I told the students this was for a cold weather artwork so we would be using the cool colors- blue, green and violet. Students created a variety of swirls to show a cold and windy sky. I showed students how to hold and angle the brush so they could do thick or thin swirls. For the second class, we watched the intro to Happy Feet so students could have a little fun but also examine the shapes and colors of a penguin. I then led a guided drawing of a penguin which was painted over in black. The final class we added a light violet ground, a shining aluminum foil moon and the penguins. We used oil pastels to blend a shadow on the penguin and also under the penguin to add a bit of depth. The result: adorable winter penguins! 

Winter Trees

Students in PreK and Kinder created these winter trees to learn about patterns, lines and shapes. We began by creating a watercolor painting. Students drew out a series of patterns with crayons. We discussed how patterns are any type of shape, line or color that repeat. We also looked at different patterns- AB, ABC, etc. More advanced students could complete more difficult patterns if they choose. These patterns were then painted over with a watered down green watercolor paint. During the next class, students cut curved lines to create a unique border for their artwork and then stamped snowflakes throughout the paper. On the final day, students cut out triangle shapes from the pattern paper and added branches with black crayons. 

Winter Landscapes

Students in grades 4-6 created these winter landscapes. We painted a patterned background to show movement in cool colors. The trees were made by layering tissue paper onto a white page, then cutting this page into large triangles. We added white ground, snow falling and gold branches as well. This was a great lesson to teach movement, contrast and color schemes!

Winter Birch Trees

Students in grades 1-3 created these winter birch tree landscapes. I showed the students how to use masking tape to create the trees. We then painted the background with tints of blue and purple. Students were encouraged to imply movement with their lines- to use straighter lines for a calm night or more curvy lines for wind. Once the painting was dry, we peeled the tape up to reveal the white trees! We added an outline for contrast and some other lines for texture. The final class students created birds, a silver moon, and stamped snow with white paint. 

Winter Snowmen

Students in grades PreK and Kinder created these fun winter snowmen. We began by painting the background with a purple and blue pattern. Students looked at The Starry Night and saw how artists can use lines to create movement. During the next class, students used cut out shapes to create a snowman. To create more interest, we placed the snowman on the side of the page to leave space for stamping snowflakes during the last class. This is a fun winter project that taught movement, pattern and emphasis in an easy to understand way! 

Penguins in Perspective

Students in grades 1-3 created these winter landscapes. We began by learning how to make tints of blue and purple. Students painted the background in a pattern of tints in a way that would show movement. Next, students tore paper to create the ground lines. We looked at different examples of aerial perspective and noticed how the colors are darker in the foreground and get lighter as you go back in space. Students then created trees and penguins that are larger in the foreground and get smaller as they go back into the middle and background. This fun winter lesson taught students perspective, how to mix colors and also how to show movement in an artwork.

Winter Trees

Students in PreK and Kinder created these dynamic Vincent van Gogh inspired winter trees. We began by learning about Starry Night and creating curved lines to create a moving sky. Students then mixed different shades and tints of green and used these for the trees. This project taught students about the art elements line, shape and color as well as the principal of movement.

Cool Snowflakes

Students in grades 4-6 created these cool colored snowflakes. We began by looking at snowflake designs and creating a similar design on a small triangle. These were then traced on the back and transferred onto a larger paper to create a "snowflake." This design was then colored with cool colors- various shades of blue, green and violet. A great winter project that teaches the math concept of radial symmetry along with balance and color theory!

Winter Birch Trees

Students in grades 1-3 made these birch trees just in time for winter! We began by making the trees out of masking tape. Students then painted the entire paper blue and peeled the tape away to reveal the white birch trees underneath. Next, students stamped black lines on the trees and made birds from left over watercolor paintings. A simple project that has a great cool and wintery feel!

Winter Cardinals

This was a great winter themed project for the little ones! We started by doing a cool color tissue paper collage with a simple border of white squares. I taught the students how to stamp white snowflakes too. Last, we constructed some cardinals using simple shapes like half circles, triangles, and rectangles. Cardinals are often considered winter birds because they do not migrate south, instead they stay around in the colder climates.