1. Students plan and enlarge their
composition to 12 x 18" watercolor paper using the still life as
a point of reference. A blue wash
may be applied to the watercolor
paper.
2. This project will incorporate the
entire color wheel. Instruct the
class to use the lightest hues of
the color wheel (yellow, yellow-orange, or yellow-green) for the
highlighted areas. The darkest
hues will be the shadows on the
still-life objects (violet, red-violet,
or blue-violet). Intermediate hues
will be used for the in-between
shades.
3. To create contrast, the foreground
objects can be painted using the
warm side of the color wheel,
while the background objects are
painted in the cool colors or vice
versa.
4. Finally, the remaining unoccupied space can be painted in a
contrasting color.
Assessment
A classroom critique is a good self-evaluation tool for students. Midway through the painting, a critique
can help students meet objectives
that they might have missed or
misunderstood. A final critique
will help students gain confidence
as they analyze various techniques,
views, and intentions.
Nicole Haworth, grade twelve.
Debra Lott is art department chair at
Assumption High School in Louisville,
Kentucky. b.lott@insightbb.com
NATIONAL STANDARD
Students apply media, techniques,
and processes with sufficient skill,
confidence, and sensitivity that
their intentions are carried out in
their artworks.
WEB LINK
www.nga.gov/feature/artnation/
fauve/ index.shtm
Materials
• pencils
• acrylic paint
• variety of brushes
• 12 x 18" ( 30 x 46 cm) watercolor
paper
• still-life objects
• color wheel
