Art is Basic has moved!

Art is Basic has moved!
Visit my new blog location by clicking on the Art is Basic logo.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

How to Paint Gorgeous Clouds with Watercolor-- 5th and 6th Grade

Clouds. Aren't they amazing? 

Cloud photography by Carolyn Cochrane  (visit her Etsy shop by clicking on the link)


Two years ago I took a very helpful watercolor painting class.  One of our assignments was to paint clouds. 

Painting by Marcia Beckett

Connecting Art with Science

I love to make connections with other subjects.  This one is perfect for my 5th/6th grade because in Science class they study cloud identification.  They come into my class with a broad understanding of clouds which makes my lesson richer.  

Clouds and Art Resource

The Clouds in Art Gallery is amazing.  This gallery features famous paintings (for example, by Van Gogh, Constable, Turner, Renoir) with the clouds identified.  To start this lesson, I downloaded the powerpoint from the website to show my students.

The One Tool I Can't Live Without for Watercolor Painting

Hands down, my favorite tool for watercolor painting is the fan brush.   Buy fan brushes in a variety of sizes.  If your budget is small, start by buying a small assortment every year.  They are indispensable for creating texture! 
Blick Scholastic Wonder White Fan Blick Scholastic Wonder White Fan
Blick's White Taklon delivers the texture and responsiveness of Red Sable, yet holds up to the caustic nature of solvents and acrylic paints with greater durability, making these brushes a must-have for the classroom. The selection of shapes and sizes available means there's a Wonder White brush for every media and application. The sharp point has good spring. Long handles are finished in blue gloss with nickel-plated brass ferrules.



Tips for Using the Fan Brushes

1.  Find reference photos of clouds to use while painting.

2.  Use the paper towel to dab your brush so it is not dripping wet.  A dry brush will create a nice texture.

3.  Use a light feathery technique to make the texture in the clouds or grass.  Look at this video to see what I mean.  For the clouds, hold the brush flat and dab it up and down.  

4.  When painting the sky, remember to leave the cloud areas white, unpainted.  Paint the sky around the clouds.  While the blue paint is still wet, add other colors (different shades of blues, purples, etc) on top and it will blend the colors together.  Creating variations in the shades makes a more realistic effect.  

5.   Go back in to add depth to your clouds with light touches of grays, pinks, purples.. the sky's the limit! 


Additional Tips for Watercolor Painting Landscapes

  • If you can afford it, don't skimp on the quality of the watercolors for kids.  It does make a big difference, in my opinion.  Every two kids can share the paints.  So if your highest count of kids in a class is 26, buy 13 sets if you can.   Simply instruct them to place the watercolors in between them.  I also find that this helps them to monitor the muddying of the colors.. no one wants all their paints to turn black from careless mixing.   
  • Use a sea sponge for rocky or sandy texture.  
  • As for paper, I have experimented with a lot of paper and I am still on the never-ending quest to find the perfect, non-wrinkly, affordable watercolor paper for kids.  PLEASE let me know if you have any recommendations.  What I have used recently for painting with watercolors and tempera is White Tag Board from Nasco.  I find that it takes paint well and looks pretty nice.  I have not been afraid to get out the iron and carefully iron paintings that have buckled.  Another option is to take a stack of heavy books and place them on top of the dried paintings.  What do you do?






 


39 comments:

J.ham said...

What a great post. I love doing watercolor myself, but you offer a lot of great suggestions.

I have an old old laminator that heats up. I tend to flatten my artwork using that. Works like a charm. :)

Phyl said...

I always had kids draw a light pencil border, about 1/2" from edge of paper. All painting is done inside the frame. When the paint doesn't go to the edge of the paper, it doesn't curl so much, plus it gives you unpainted edges for carrying the wet artwork to the drying rack.

Sandy said...

I have a cardboard box filled with tag board and when an entire class has dry paintings, I take the whole stack and put under box for a night. Then in the morning I switch to another class. I see the same classes every other day so this works for me. After I take the stack out I grade and hang up.

Anonymous said...

Love the work --yours & theirs! I use 90# drawing paper & it stays pretty flat. Expensive but when you buy a ream, not bad.

Anonymous said...

Wow..Your students have painted very well. Your tips will be helpful. It would have been better if you could share a tutorial as I prefer to learn by watching videos. I found this after writing the above message: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/Artists/Tom-Jones/Tom-Jones-Creating-a-Dynamic-Sky.html Maybe you should add this video after your tutorial for users like me.

Rebecca Virginia said...

Nice informative post you shared with us, thank you so much for sharing this.
Assignment Help
Assignment Help uk
Online Assignment Help

Assignment Help Firm said...

Nice blog. Thanks for sharing.
Assignment Help

Assignment Help said...

Nice Blog! A knowledgeable post you have shared. Thank you for sharing.


Assignment Help
help with assignments
help with assignment
my assignment help

Essay Writing And Editing Services said...

Nice blog! thanks for sharing
Assignment Help

Melbourne

Essay Writing And Editing Services said...

thanks for sharing useful information
Essay Writer

SophiaMiller said...


Hello,
My name is sophia miller.
thanks for this information.
Get the best Finance Assignment Help anytime.


pavilionjeans said...

Great job, it’s really useful for me, thank you so much for sharing this awesome idea, visit Jeans Manufacturers website.
Jeans Manufacturers in Delhi

Just Info said...

Great job, it’s really useful topic for me, thank you so much for sharing this awesome article, visit great printing company in India.
warehouse floor marking paint

deepak ogen said...

Good work, it’s really useful topic for me, thank you so much for sharing this awesome article, visit great web development company in India.
web development company in delhi

Kala Kutir said...

Awesome topic, it’s really helpful blog for me, thank you so much for sharing this superb article, visit our great company Lifestyle Magazine, now in India.
Lifestyle Magazine India

Web Click India said...

Thank you so much for the detailed article.Thanks again.
Top 5 Web Designing Company In India | SEO Services In India

Tasty Việt Nam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tasty Việt Nam said...

Thanks for share

https://www.bibsonomy.org/user/tastyvn
https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/tastyvn
http://tastyvn.eklablog.com/
http://tastyvn.soup.io/
http://www.pearltrees.com/tastyvn
https://mastermind.bizsugar.com/profile/691788995
https://dzone.com/users/3749864/tastyvn.html

Trutech Products said...



Fabulous blog thanks for sharing with us.
Transformer Manufacturers In Pune | Transformer Manufacturers In Mumbai | Transformer Manufacturers In India




Pardeep Mengi said...

Usually I never comment on blogs but your article is so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job Man,Keep it up.
study abroad consultants in delhi
ielts coaching in gurgaon

Swarna Fasteners said...

Thanks for sharing
Mild Steel CSK Philips Machine Screw Manufacturers

Rebecca Virginia said...

Hello your blog is sharing great information. Thanks for share this blog.
Dissertation Help

M.G Engineers said...

Thanks for sharing

HVLS Fan

Big Industrial Fan

Big Ceiling Fan

High Volume Low Speed Fan

Large Ceiling Fan

Sanso Networks said...

Thanks for sharing

Fiber Patch Cord In Delhi

Cisco Router In Bangalore

HPE Server In Delhi

Cisco WIFI In Bangalore

HPE Products In Bangalore

Vnd Plastico said...

Process Pump In Ahmedabad

Centrifugal Chemical Process Pump In Ahmedabad

PP Pump In Ahmedabad

Polypropylene Pump In Ahmedabad

Acid Pump Manufacturers

AODD Pump Manufacturers

Ratanpara Overseas said...

Very Nice Blog

Coriander Seed Exporters

Cumin Seed Exporters

Peanut Exporters

Sesame Seed Exporters

Soyabean Exporters

Castor Seed Exporters

Green Mung Exporters

Chickpeas Exporters

Noreva Biotech said...

Thank you for sharing excellent information. I’ve learned a lot from your blog here, Keep on going my friend.

PCD Pharma Franchise In India

Pharma Franchise Company In India

PCD Pharma Company In India

Third Party Manufacturing Pharma Company

My Assignment Help Online said...

myassignmenthelp in Sydney are based in English language and if you fail to understand the requirements of assignment clearly, then Sydney assignment help is surely the right choice. Tutors here will not only provide accurate solutions for given questions but also translate the entire work for you in desired language.

Pahuja Aqua Service said...

Pahuja RO Water Solution is an independent Ro Service Centre in Gurgaon/Delhi NCR. We undertake job work of Service, AMC, Repair, Installation & Maintenance. RO Installation : RO Water Purifier installation service in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR. Charges Rs.499, call experienced technicians to install your RO Water Purifier and UnInstallation.
PAHUJA AQUA SERVICE COMPANY
RO Water Purifier Service 149/- Number 9555884567 | RO Service Center Near Me - Gurgaon & Delhi
RO Water Purifier Service 149/- Number 9555884567
Mineral Water Purifier Effective Uses- Gurgaon, Delhi – Pahuja Aqua Service
RO Water Purifier Repair
RO Filter Repair Near Me 9555884567 | Water Purifier Filter Service
RO Water Purifier Installation and Uninstallation
Pahuja Aqua Service's Workspace

Pahuja Aqua Service said...

A portable water purifier is all you need if you’re looking for a portable and affordable solution to get clean drinking water on the go then. Portable water purifiers are beneficial if you are traveling to a place with poor water quality.
Why Should Buy A Portable Water Purifier
The human world is changing day-by-day, and so are our drinking habits. Water contamination has become one major issue in human life. The water purifier is one-way people can make a better judgment about drinking water. Water purifier makes it easy to drink water without thinking about any unwanted bacteria and contaminants. Contaminants and bacteria (various) generally take home in the water. It is an old saying, “health is wealth” it is true indeed.
TOP FACTS OF WATER PURIFIER IN EVERYDAY LIFE-RO Service
Do you and your family often suffer from water-borne diseases? Does your water look stale and smell rotten? And you want to be trying to find the simplest water purifier! Well, you’ve knocked the proper door, we are here at your rescue!
Improve Your Health by Using the Best RO Water Purifier - Improve Your Health by Using the Best RO Water Purifier
Importance Of Having Water Purifier And Knowing A Good RO Water Purifier Service Centre In Delhi, Gurgaon
How Do I Locate The Best RO Service Center in Gurgaon?
Importance of RO Water Purifiers in Delhi
Service for RO Water Purifiers in Delhi- Pahuja Aqua Service
Mineral Water Purifier Effective Uses- Gurgaon, Delhi

SaiJi Enterprises said...

We made its reputation in years with delivering quality RO service center Jammu in Jammu and all over India, India and nearby cities with RO service Centre near me. We also provide Water purifier service for all leading brands you can check here for Kent service in Jammu and Aquaguard RO service in Jammu nearby is giving many buying options like on an installation basis, exciting exchange offers, and world-class after-sales service.

Anonymous said...

Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.

University of Kota BA 1st Year Result 2022
University of Kota BA 2nd Year Result 2022
University of Kota BA 3rd Year Result 2022

Assignment help said...

Myassignmenthelp.co.uk is the best assignment help service provider in UK with most of the 5000+ qualified writers. Provide academic help in different courses like, assignments, coursework, homework help, dissertation, essay help , course code help, online exam help etc.

seo partners said...

شركة كشف تسربات المياه في دبي
كشف تسربات المياه في دبي

zarkazijar said...

Very good blog post, it is very well written and your points are well-expressed. Thanks for sharing ptdf past questions and answers., visit Best Rated Educational Update Portal in the World; Examination and Academic Guide, High Paying Jobs & Scholarship  Website.

pranisha said...

Are you looking for a software testing platform or a smart idea in the IT business? Ways to explore and benefit from our
Selenium Training in Chennai from Infycle Technologies. After this win, there is a good chance to get a bid from companies around the world. For other offers contact 7504633633 or 7502633633.

Ganesh Housing said...

inquiry@rhombuspharma.org
Rhombus Pharma is a well known PCD pharma company in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India We are the supplier of high quality pharma products
Rhombus Pharma Private Limited is engaged in manufacturing, marketing and exporting of Pharmaceutical Products Formulations And Nutraceuticals in many therapeutic segments in dosage forms of Tablets, Capsules, Oral Liquids, Dry Syrup, Dry Powder & Liquid Injectables, Ointments, Creams, Sachets, Nasal Sprays, Soft gels & Ayurvedic Preparations Since 1995.

julia said...

You have experimented with a lot of paper and are still on the never-ending quest to find the perfect one. Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing one. Now it's time to avail Baby Liquid Soap for more information.

Arthur Kane said...

Thanks for posting! I am a working mother providing online class help services. It’s quite difficult to manage work and kids, especially since they have an art competition at school. I need to come up with ideas for watercolours, and I was feeling quite confused. Your blog really helped me out!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails