Students will explore the elements of line and texture while learning the technique for printmaking in this awesome Autumn art lesson of swirling leaves. This project covers Common Core Standards for Science and History for grades 2-3 which can be found at the end of the lesson.
Grade Level
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade – The examples in this lesson are made by 3rd graders.
Objective
In this Swirling Leaves Art Lesson, students will design leaves swirling in the wind using line elements.
Time
3 – 60 min lessons
Materials
- Pencils
- Scissors
- Oil pastels – Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 50 Color Set (PHN-50)
- Glue Stick – Elmer’s Glue Stick (E4062) (7 sticks)
- INOVART Presto Foam Econo Pak Printing Plates
- Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers, Broad Line, 8 Count Red, Orange, Yellow, Brown
- 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
Inspiration/Artist
I was inspired to make this project after I saw this idea: Click Here She shows a Youtube video that explains this technique brilliantly (it is a little bit down the link) Click Here
Instruction with Questions
Day 1
Review what students know about Line, Texture, and Patterns. Define each one with the students with examples.
Line:
A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.
Texture:
Texture refers to the way an object feels to the touch or looks as it may feel if it were touched.
Pattern:
Repetition refers to one object or shape repeated; pattern is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement
Next:
Show students the following videos:
Line defined – From Goodbye-Art Academy: Click here
Texture defined – From Goodbye-Art Academy: Click here
And just for fun – Even my older students love this – Sesame Street: Abby Cadabby teaches Josh Gad about Texture: Click Here
Next, students created their Styrofoam leaf print. I actually showed them Cassie Stephen’s brilliant YouTube video to demonstrate how to do this. Click Here I brought in silk leaves from my fall decorations to trace. We set these aside for Day 2.
Day 2
Show students an example on the board about creating swirls. It is important that they look relaxed and large and not fast and scribbly. I pulled students aside a few at a time. They wet their paper, and added a variety of turquoise, blue and purple paint revealing their swirls.
Meanwhile, students use the technique shown in the previous lesson using washable markers to make the leaves and pressing them onto wet watercolor paper.
Day 3
Students cut out their leaves and glue them onto their blue swirling paper. Have a discussion about how to vary the direction and placement where the leaves are glued.
Here are some finished Swirling Leaves Art Lesson pieces!
Common Core Standards
2nd Grade – Science – Physical Sciences
1. The motion of objects can be observed and measured.
e. Students know objects fall to the ground, unless something holds them up.
3rd Grade – History – Continuity and Change
3.2 Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.
1. Describe national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.
2. Discuss the ways in which physical geography, including climate, influenced how the local Indian nations adapted to their natural environment (e.g., how they obtained food, clothing, tools).
[…] love this autumn leaf art project from Leah Newton Art. It incorporates printmaking and crayon resist. These fall leaves would make the perfect fall […]