BackgroundWatercolor paints combine art and science. This medium can be used to explain color theory and water properties. There are two activities that demonstrate color theory; blending colors and creating a rainbow and watching primary colors combine to create secondary colors. The property of water is observed with gradient paint washes. Blending colors and gradient paint washes are used in watercolor painting, and be combined to experience the properties of water.

Art teachers, as well as students in foreign countries, learn the basics of watercolor painting with tube watercolors. The vivid color of tube-quality watercolor paint captures students’ attention. The struggle waiting for cake paints to absorb water and clean-up mess is avoided. Fantasia® watercolor paint dries on plastic plates; water rejuvenates the paint, so there’s no wasted paint at clean-up time.

Color Theory: Color Blending & Creating a Rainbow1) Pass out materials: plastic plate, water, paper and brush. 2) Squirt a dime-size dab of each primary color: red, yellow and blue onto each student’s plastic plate. 3) There are two activities that demonstrate color theory; blending colors and creating a rainbow

and watching primary colors combine to create secondary colors.

Color Blending ( Figure 1 )Demonstrate or verbally guide the students to combine primary colors: red, yellow and blue. Combine these primary colors to make secondary colors. The color that is left out of the mix is the complementary color. a. Mix red and yellow to make orange; the complementary color is blue.b. Mix red and blue to make purple, the complementary color is yellow.c. Mix yellow and blue to make green, the complementary color is red.

MaTeRials Cup of water Sakura Fantasia® watercolor tubesPaper towels Minimum 90-lb., medium grade watercolor paperFlat watercolor brush Watercolor palette* or a plastic plates/lids *Tip: Invest in decent palettes for reuse year after year.

GRaDe leVel: K-4OBJeCTiVes• Learn color theory, shading and blending• Discover the properties of water and the effect water has on paint.

Fantasia® Watercolor lesson Plan: Rainbows & Water Properties

Figure 2

Figure 1

Creating a Rainbow ( Figure 2 )The students will make a rainbow and watch the colors bleed together to form complementary colors. Students can share their observations.a. Dampen watercolor paper. b. Paint the top arch of the rainbow using yellow.c. Leave space between yellow and paint the next color blue. The primary yellow and blue colors will bleed together to make green.d. Leaving space after the blue arch of the rainbow and paint red. The blue and red colors bleed together to make purple.e. Leaving space after the red arch of the rainbow, paint yellow. The yellow and red colors bleed together to make orange.

Water Properties and Watercolor Technique: Gradient Wash ( Figure 3 ) Gradient wash demonstrates the effect of water when combined with color pigment and a watercolor technique.1) Pass out materials; plastic plate, water, paper and brush. 2) Please dime-size dab of one paint color on each student’s palette.3) Place a line of pure pigment across the top of the paper.4) Dampen brush with water, and pass the brush at the very lower edge of the pigment line.

• The water dilutes the pigment.• The variety of hues of a paint color is displayed as a result of water being added.

5) Continue adding water to each new line of color The pigment will continue to spread down the page until it is diluted back to white.

VOCaBUlaRY WORDsPrimary colors – red, blue and yellow from which all other colors can be blended.secondary colors – violet, green, orange; created by mixing primary colors in equal quantities. Complimentary color – pairs of colors that are of “opposite” hue .Pigment –a substance that is added to paint or ink to give it color.Gradient wash – diluting pigment with water to show the various shades of the paint color.Hue – colorValue – the relative lightness or darkness of a colorDilute – to make or become thinner or weaker by adding water or another liquid.

lesson plan courtesy of:sakura Color Products of america

800.776.6257www.sakuraofamerica.com

Figure 3

Assistance provided by Susan Tilten Pecora, watercolor artist.

NaTiONal sTaNDaRDshttp://www.education-world.com/standardsNa-Va.K-4.1: Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and ProcessesAchievement Standard: • Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes • Students describe how different materials, techniques, and processes cause different responses • Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories • Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner