Laurel Burch Style Cats

Students in grades 1-3 created these Laurel Burch inspired watercolor cats. I demonstrated step-by-step how to draw the body of a cat with simple lines and shapes. Students then outlined with crayons and added different types of patterns to the body and face. We used texture plates to do rubbings in the background. Students then used liquid watercolors to paint in the cats and backgrounds. This project is very simple and yields amazing results for all students!

Monet and Water Lilies

Students in 4-6 learned about French Impressionist painter Claude Monet and created these watercolor paintings in his style. We started by drawing out a series of water lilies and lily pads. Students learned about foreground, middleground and background and were required to include this in the drawing to create depth. Next, the drawing was outlined in black for contrast and lines were added to imply movement. The final step was using watercolor paints in the three cool colors- blue, green and violet. 

Sea Turtles

Students in PreK and Kinder created these Eric Carle inspired sea turtles. We began by reading A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle and discussing the underwater illustrations. I then showed students how to draw a sea turtle step by step in pencil. Students then outlined the turtle with blue or green crayon and painted them using watercolor paints. After cutting them out, we added seaweed and lines in the background. We talked about what types of lines would imply movement in the water so students could create a moving seascape.