Starry Night #4

                  This method we applied tempera paint to paper with cups.

We used the bottom of the cups.

Initially the children pressed the painted cup bottom around their paper.

Then I encouraged them to twist and smear the cup to see what would happen.

We layered the colours and watched them blend.

Tomorrow will be our final day of focusing on Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Today while creating a parent suggested we look at one of Monet's pieces.

It has a bridge with lilies.

I'll have to try to find it.

I really appreciate when our parents take part in the planning.

Starry Night #3

                                   Next was my favourite.
       We grated crayons on to paper then placed it on a warming tray to melt.

We used the mini cheese graters to make little bits of crayons.

It melted easier and quicker then using the whole crayon.

Plus it was a lot more fun.

We used a stir stick to make the swirls and blend the colours.

The child in the above picture loved this activity and made several.

He layered his colours.  First melting one colour, taking it off and adding more.

I like the 3D look to this method.

Starry Night #2

        Next we painted The Starry Night by mixing paint with shaving cream
                                         and finger painting.

I added the colour purple today.

I thought fingerpainting would offer the chance to make the swirls.

But I was reminded there are different ways to fingerpaint.

Like using your whole hand to make a print.

The swiping them across the paper.

I like that he stood up to get more movement.

Then there is the one finger type of painting.

All offering a chance to explore mixing colours.

Making swirls,

and starry nights.

Starry Night #1

This week, at the art table, we're focusing on Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night and creating our own through a variety of mediums.

I read a book today called "Vincent's Colours".  It has images of Van Gogh's paintings and a simple sentence that he wrote for each.

The first page gives a brief description of who Van Gogh was, where he was from and that he loved colours.

His paintings show us his choice in colours and gave me an opportunity to talk with the children and families that, for example, the sky doesn't have to be blue.

Or ask why the ground might be yellow.  One child answered because the sun.

Our first method of creating our Starry Nights was with eye droppers and water colours.