Monochromatic Floral Patterns
2nd Grade
This art lesson not only covers the idea and practice of patterns, but it also introduces and teaches the students about monochromatic colors. Students will learn how to make their on monochromatic colors by adding white to lighten their color and adding black to darken their color. The lesson also looks at and is partly inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings.
Step 1. Show students powerpoint. Demonstrate how draw a flower taking up over half of the paper. Illustrate how to begin a pattern in one of the petal. Demonstrate how to lighter your color with white. Gradually, making it darker and darker by adding more of the color as you get further away from the flower. Demonstrate how to darker your color with black. Gradually, making it darker and darker by adding more black as you get further away.
Step 2. Play Greg Percy song, "Tints and Shades". Have the students identify what color is added to make a tint (white) and what color is added to make a shade (black). Play song during work time if desired.
Step 3. Allow students to begin drawing flowers and patterns with pencil.
Step 4. Allow students to trace over their patterns/flowers with regular-point and fine-point permanent markers.
Step 5. Have students grab a paint shirt. The first student to start painting at each table should grab the thing of paint and enough paintbrushes and water for the rest of the table.
Step 6. Allow students to lighten their color with white to make tint. Have them paint from light to dark by gradually adding the paint color to the white as they are getting darker, and adding black to their paint color to gradually (making shades).
Email me/comment below for a full lesson plan (including standards, list of supplies, assessment, etc.).
