Watercolor Exploration Painting

Submitted by: Stephanie Corder, AZ Academy, US Virgin Islands
UNIT: Watercolors (introduction)
Lesson: Musical Art Integration- Watercolor Exploration
Grade Level: All levels

Preparation:

Tape watercolor paper to boards to make the one inch border (optional)

Objectives:

• To learn that mistakes are sometimes good things, and to encourage generosity and cooperation towards one another.

• To explore experimental watercolor techniques.

Materials:

Watercolor Paper
(masked off w/Drafting Tape)
Watercolor Paint, Sable Brushes
Variety of music

Procedure:

1. Ask the students if they’ve ever played musical chairs.

2. Tell them that we’re going to play musical art, and that they’ll paint to the rhythm of the music while the it’s playing, i.e. very fast brush work to fast beats, and slow movements to slow music etc.

3. When the music stops, they are to move to the painting next to them, and paint on THAT painting until the music stops again.

4. Repeat step three until their papers are almost full, and then have them complete the next painting they go to.  It seems to work best if it is NOT the piece they began with.

Notes:

Most of these turned out great with a beautiful abstract quality. I know the border takes extra time, but it really finishes the pieces beautifully!

Note: These watercolors can be left as is - or can be used for various collage projects.

See Watercolor techniques that students can explore.