Art -- Monet

On Fridays we get together with some friends for an art lesson and playtime.  We've been getting together since September, and each month one of the moms takes a turn teaching and providing the art lesson/project.  Last month the mom did a lot of Halloween crafts, and the month before that the mom did a unit on Mosaics.  I've loved having our own little art gallery in our loft, filled with all of the children's art!

This last Friday was the first time that the group met here for a lesson/project of my choosing.  I have a book that introduces children to the great art masters, and then provides an idea for an art project that helps them to learn how the artist created their masterpiece.

I decided that since Claude Monet's birthday is this month, that our first art project would be about Monet.  After reading in my book about Monet and the associating project, I looked online for more ideas.  One of my good friends posted on her blog about a couple of moms who post art ideas and projects on their blogs.  So, I checked them out and found step by step instructions for our project: the Water Lily Pond Painting. 

First we talked about Monet, and I read the little biographical information that was listed in my book to the children.  I got a couple of books from the library and we looked at his paintings, talked about the difference between Impressionistic art and drawings that they do themselves.  I pointed out that when we are far away from the painting, we can see the picture, even if it is a little fuzzy; but, when we are close to the painting, it is just a bunch of blobs.  One of the books from the library is the one that the mom on her blog suggested and it shows a small section of the Water Lily Pond painting up close.  So, I was able to use that picture to explain what the lily pads looked like, and how to paint them.

Each of the children had their own set of watercolor paints and some sponges.  We basically did the art project together, step-by-step, just as the other mom did.  I sure am grateful for great minds who share their experiences and insight online for the rest of us!

I taped my paper on the wall to show the children how to do everything.  We even talked about foreground and background, perspective, and horizon.  It was so much fun!  I think I enjoyed it just as much as the children did.  Sadly, I won't be able to teach this Friday as I am flying to Utah for my grandmother's viewing and graveside service.  But, I will definitely have something fun to do the week after that!