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Watercolors SESSION ONE: Learning the Fundamentals Begin by discussing "washes", the watercolor background. Each child has watercolor paper (or use construction paper to practice first [less expensive], with the cold-pressed paper for the second painting) and a brush. If you are short a few brushes, let the older children paint first so the younger can watch and learn. Stick with basic colors, and let the children mix them to get others. Have the children blend the professional watercolors on their palettes (or plastic plates and cups) and apply straight, gradient or broken washes. Use fans to dry those papers where the wash has been applied too heavily. Discuss subject matter, drawing and painting. Important points such as: *Making certain there is only one focal point in the painting *Not putting anything in the direct center of the painting *Having everything draw the eye to the focal point *Being careful with color so that things in the foreground remain in the foreground *Creating a point on your brush *Applying the proper amount of paint (economy in paint here also) Onto drawing and painting! So interesting to see the children's personalities show up through art. The expressive one, the perfectionist, the realist, the creator, etc We put the paintings on the patio to dry, the moms cleaned up and we assembled for snack. During snack time, we went over homework requirements. Each child was assigned to take home the cold-pressed paper, some paints (we bought a pack of 18 so that they could be split), and some brushes. They were to follow the principles we'd learned and all paint the same body of water, and bring them back the next session. SESSION TWO: The Art Show Each child brings back a completed painting of the assigned waterfront. Number the back of each painting in pencil. Pass out prepared ballots, one for each painting except their own. Discussed how art critics judge paintings. Decide on what basis you will be judging. We chose to judge on those things we covered in Session One. A sample ballot looks like this: Painting Number ___________ Wash 1 2 3 4 5   Use of Color 1 2 3 4 5   Contrast 1 2 3 4 5   Good Focal Pt 1 2 3 4 5   Subject Matter 1 2 3 4 5   Mood 1 2 3 4 5   Overall 1 2 3 4 5   Set up meeting place as near to a gallery as feasible. Classical music, various finger foods, hors d'oeuvres and sparkling cider in nice glasses complete the ambience. The children mull through the "art gallery", giving marks to each painting. After all are through judging, put the ballots into a box and count. Total up and come up with three winners. To those, award ribbons and nice frames with matting to put their pictures and ribbons in. The others receive small boxes of candy. The emphasis is not on the prizes (that's why frames instead of toys or something), but on doing our best and learning to look at art with a critical eye.   Click the appropriate words to go back to that section: Washington Homeschool > Support Groups > Keepers of the Faith > Watercolors

Watercolor Resources The Dalby Waterwheel Hwy 106, Union. Make sure to visit the website first for the history lesson, then bring your paints or sketchbooks. Homeschool Arts -- everything for your budding Rembrandt The Magic of Painting -- free online lessons. Carol Gerten's Fine Art -- the works of the masters, indexed and searchable. Just beautiful!