Watercolor Castles

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Watercolor Castle using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric organic), line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and space (positive negative) inspired by Impressionist Painter (1840-1926) Claude Monet
• Use different types of patterns (swirls, stripes, floral) and design principles (composition, proportion, gradation) based on Impressionism
• Define Architecture (the practice of designing and constructing buildings)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Portal at Midday (1893) Claude Monet

2. Read Castles by Gillian Osband

3. Discussion Questions "How did the artist use geometric shapes to draw their castle? Did the artist create at least one pattern on their case? Did the artist use watercolor effectively? Did the artist draw a castle that takes up most of the space on the paper? Did the artist add horizon lines to give the artwork depth? How do these castles connect to fairytale stories or architecture? What were the group of knights that protected the castle called? What are the main features of a castle? How were castles built?"

Lesson Activities

1. Retrieve 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw a horizon line in the negative space (background) of the white paper for the Watercolor Castles

3. Use geometric shapes (rectangle, squares, triangles) to add buildings parts (towers, walls, doors) to the positive space (building) of the Watercolor Castles

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Watercolor Castles for Assigned Table

2. Rouen Cathedral, Study of the Portal (1892) Claude Monet

3. Discussion Questions "Have you ever made a castle? What types of tools did you use? What would make the best castle- height, sturdiness, or level of detail? What are some materials (rocks, sticks, moats) that can be used to protect castles from the waves? What is the different between a palace and a castle? How would you build a castle in a whole day? Why were castles built in medieval times? What were the first castles made out of? What was the castle keep and what was its purpose? What was the title of the person in charge of the affairs within the castle?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line variation (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) to add texture (bricks, stone, metal) to the positive space (castle) of the Watercolor Castles

2. Add architectural features (flag, moat, draw bridge) to the medieval castles of the Watercolor Castles

3. Use eraser to remove any guidelines from the positive space (building) of the Watercolor Castles 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Watercolor Castles for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (colored pencil, sharpeners, erasers)

Lesson Activities

1. Use earth tones (brown red black) to fill in the positive space (building) of the castle drawings

2. Use earth tones (green blue white) to fill in the negative space (background) of the castle drawings

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the positive space (building) of the Watercolor Castles

Artist Examples

Student Examples