Nativity Angel Art Lesson for kids

In this Nativity Angel art lesson, students create a story in the dress of an Angel. It includes the settings of Bethlehem, the Manger and Shepherd hills.

Grade Level

6th, 7th, 8th Grades – The examples in this lesson are made by 8th Graders.

Objective

In this Nativity Angel Art Lesson, students will re-create the Advent Story in the dress of an angel while learning about the fine artwork of Janet Stever.

Time

3 – 60 min lessons

Materials

Pencils
12×18 Watercolor paper – Canson XL Series Watercolor Textured Paper Pad for Paint, Pencil, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel, and Acrylic, Fold Over, 140 Pound, 12 x 18 Inch, 30 Sheets
Brushes – Acrylic Paint Brush Set, 1 Packs / 10 pcs Nylon Hair Brushes for All Purpose Oil Watercolor Painting Artist Professional Kits
Liquid Water Colors – Sargent Art 22-6010 10-Count 8-Ounce Watercolor Magic Set
- Or this mini version for homeschooling – Sargent Art 22-6210 10-Count 4-Ounce Watercolor Magic
Kleenex for blotting paint
Black Sharpie Marker – Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 5
Table Salt
Glitter Glue (gold) – Sargent Art 22-1981 8-Ounce Glitter Glue, Gold
Oil pastels or crayons, yellow and white: Oil pastels – Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 50 Color Set (PHN-50)
Crayons, skin colors and hair colors
Angel PDF: Click Here
Bethlehem Examples PDF: Click Here

Inspiration/Artist

Janet Stever Fine Art – Angels of Peace.

I was inspired to make this project after I saw this image from Janet Stever: Click Here

Instruction with Questions

Day 1

Show students the artwork of Janet Stever. Click Here

Students will trace the main portrait of the angel and then create their own Nativity story.

Place the large piece of watercolor paper over a photocopy of the angel. I use a window for this so the contrast is easily seen. I guide the students to change up the hair, wings, face, etc. Use this as the main size for proper proportions.

Next, finish off the bottom. Note where the sash is, where her dress shows, and play with how the skirt falls. Maybe it falls straight down, maybe it is flowing off the edge of the page.

Please pay close attention to the image below. Students need to add their own line on the right side of the dress. I made it red here. I did this deliberately. Some examples you will see at the end of this post will show how some students played with the sash and the area above and below the sash. Make sure to remind students to finish off this line somehow. With only this red line, the sash seems to sit on top of the rest of the dress which is totally fine.

Day 2

Today the students will create their Nativity story in the dress of the angel.

On the board, show students how to create the three main areas of the dress. Use a ruler to create the three sections. These areas will include the main settings of the Nativity story; Bethlehem, the Manger, and the hills where the shepherds kept watch. I created a handout (the link is in the materials list) of different renditions of what Bethlehem could look like. This gives the students some architectural reference.

Have students go over all of their pencil lines with a sharpie marker.

Day 3

Using yellow and white oil pastels, add color to the windows, halo, stars over the angel and over the mini manger. If they choose to leave the wings white, have them at least trace around the perimeter of the wings so when you paint with blue they will remain white.

Crayons may also be used in place of oil pastels and are best for use on the angel’s face, hands and hair. I recommend to students to consider if the halo and wings are both yellow, they need to choose their palette.

They also need to consider the color of the sash and the top of the dress, though this will be painted on next. Sometimes, I even recommended a very very pale blue for the dress. The best thing is to consider if it looks finished and deliberate. I love it when the town or the stars pop!

When painting, have a separate station for the turquoise blue sky. I show the students how to keep it very wet, and add table salt as they go. Once it dries it will look like stars.

I have forgotten at times to use the oil pastel in the sky over the angel before adding glitter glue. Instead I recommend doing so because the star will show more clearly. I also add glitter glue to the windows in Bethlehem.