3 sessions; 40 minutes per session

1. SWBAT identify various watercolor techniques.

2. SWBAT paint using various watercolor techniques.

3. SWBAT identify artwork by Jim Dine.

1. Watercolor paint
2. Paint brushes
3. Water
4. Salt
5. Saran wrap
6. White crayons
7. Rubbing alcohol
8. Q-tips
9. 2 sheets of watercolor paper per student (8 1/2" x 11" for one, and preferably a larger sheet for the second)
10. Small scraps of tagboard (for creating a heart template)
11. Glue

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Introduce students to Jim Dine by looking at his art. Discuss his use of color, space, and texture.

2. Have students create a heart template and trace it 12 times. Have students choose 2 colors of watercolor paint to paint their hearts. Go through each technique, one at a time, and have students copy after you demo:
-Wet on wet wash
-Wet on dry wash
-Glaze
-Graded Wash
-Dry point
-Salt Crystals
-Rubbing Alcohol
-Wax Resist
-Saran Wrap
-Splatter
-Dripping Paint
-Add or remove any other techniques as fit

3. On the second day, have students utilize the watercolor techniques to paint an abstract background for their hearts.

4. On the final day, students must cut out their hearts and affix them to their backgrounds with glue. Talk about composition and placement.

Students will be assessed on if they can identify Jim Dine artwork. You can create a rubric to assess their painting skills if need be, or follow up this project with a final watercolor project.

For additional instruction, you can have students add the words of each watercolor technique artistically to their painting.

[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

[K-4] Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

[K-4] Students explore and understand prospective content for works of art

[5-8] Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks

Jim Dine

Contrast, Line, Shape, Texture, Variety

Watercolor