The next art class we learned about symmetry and landscapes: foreground, middle ground, background and depth. 1st graders divided and folded their green paper in half to cut out at least 3 symmetrical trees, one big, one medium and one small. Next the 1st graders glued down their blue tinted strips of paper (hills) onto dark blue colored paper. Darkest blue in the foreground and lightest blue in the background. To create the illusion of space and depth we discussed how the tree that are closer appear to be larger, trees that are further away appear to be smaller and we could see this right out our art room window. Ultimately students glued down their trees in the foreground, middle ground and background. After adding trunks and an optional moon we ended this lesson with a fun surprise, creating snow.
The 1st graders were very confused when I took out a container of toothbrushes. We had to dip toothbrushes into white paint, tap off the extra and use our thumbs to pull back the bristles pointing down over our landscape art to create a splattering of white snow. Who knew we could paint with toothbrushes!
Art isn't only about seeing and learning in a new light but it's about making and having fun.