Art Project for Third to Fourth Grade: Impressionist Landscapes
This simple art project gives a quick overview of what Impressionism was and a little bit about landscapes and color theory in a hands on way.
Outcomes-To learn about landscape art, get a feeling for 3-D space in a 2-d work “depth”, an impressionistic color and theory
Materials: 8 ½ X 11 inch white cardstock. Oil pastels. Small reproductions of paintings from Impressionist masters, pencil.
Art History: Recognize works by Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, Gauguin. Look at websites. Wikipedia actually gives a very nice overview and images at Impressionism. Other links include Impressionism and Met Museum.
Steps:
- Look at and talk about what ‘impressionistic’ landscapes are. Feeling in the painting, rather than photographic realism, and talk about why this occurred-advent of the camera and change in the way people thought about art.
- Look at several small examples of impressionist landscape paintings and point out shapes and colors in each one. Have the children talk about things they see in each. Talk about what makes a ‘landscape’, and talk about realism verses the colors and ‘fuzziness’ of most impressionsit art.
- Divide the children into pairs, and either have each pair choose a picture to copy or give each pair a reproduction at random. Reproductions should be small, fitting on an 8×11 piece of paper. They should be made in advance and it would be advised to laminate each, if it is available.
- Give each child a pencil and a piece of white cardstock. After writing their names on the back, flip the paper over and help them identify major shapes in the picture, and then have them draw those shapes on the page, to help them reproduce the painting. Encourage them to use the whole paper, not putting little things all in the middle.
- Pass out cups of oil pastels, and encourage them to press down and mix the colors on the paper. It’s okay to be a little messy!
- No white of the paper should show through on the finished product, even if white is used in the painting. Use a white oil pastel!
- When finished, display pieces and talk about the differences in the reproductions and the originals. What do they like about them? What did they find especially difficult about them?
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14 Comments
hfj, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
I’m glad i’m not in school anymore. Sounds like a lot to digest for such young pupils, but they learn and absorb at such an early age these days. Not like it was when i was a young lad. Nice article and very well written.
Debra., posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
A nice piece. I like how thorough and motivated you are in teaching the children. It can be easy to do but it’s always good to talk about it and see how they interpret things. Nice work, Annie.
Daisy Peasblossom, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
I did something similar with my students earlier this year. I have kindergarten through 8th grade. With a little bit of adjustment, all of my students enjoyed talking about a few of the various artists and looking at art prints. Our ability to reproduce paintings or to produce an “impression” of our own varied, but it was fun. A word of caution: Wikipedia sometimes has illustrations not suitable for elementary students. Preview carefully. I like the part about making sure the students used the WHOLE paper.
Paul Roberts, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
Good job. Step by step teaching approach with the hands on and feed back session. I think we did this in the service too. Not the art work ha. Your friend,fan,smile
Anne McNew, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
great job, well written
rutherfranc, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
I too am glad I am not required to do this things anymore.. I always have the lowest grades on these subjects.. but I hope my kids will have a great time with this.
Dee Gold, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
thanks for sharing this
denus, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
impressive article
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
A great lesson plan. I did exactly the same thing woth my pupils when I was teaching Impressionism except that I did Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. The children came up with some fantastic work. Well done.
Christine
Yovita Siswati, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
Great idea! I will save this. I will surely try this with my daughter when she gets older.
Joni Keith, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
Nice piece.
Athlyn Green, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
A good undertaking for young and will give “bigger kids” much to think about.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Mar 12th, 2009
It looks like a good plan to me. My granddaughter would love your class or Daisy’s.
lh, posted this comment on Mar 11th, 2009
good article