4 sessions; 50 minutes per session

1. Students will be able to accurately paint a gradation wash.
2. Students will practice the watercolor techniques of dry brushing and wet on wet blending.
3. Students will create a pleasing silhouette design to place over their watercolor backgrounds.

1. Watercolor paper, prefer 300 cold press but any kind will do.
2. Watercolor flat brushes and round brushes.
3. Student watercolor paints.
4. Containers of water.
5. Paper towls.
6. Watercolor palettes or plates.
7. Foam boards
8. Masking tape

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Have each student take a foam board and attach their watercolor paper to it using the masking tape and making a 1/2 inch frame on all 4 sides.
2. Demonstrate several wash techniques using watercolor and how to blend them with a wet paper and a dry paper.
3. Have students create a pleasing background to be their "sky."
4. Give references of various silhouettes that they may choose from, or create their own. Have them sketch the silhouette on top of their watercolor sky.
5. Use black watercolor to fill in the silhouette to create a dramatic painting, encourage tiny details to have them practice being steady with their hand and brush technique.

Students will be graded on the accuracy of watercolor wash techniques as well as successfully creating a recognizable silhouette.

A website for basic watercolor technique: http://www.watercolorpainting.com/watercolorpainting/gradedwash.htm

This is my students' favorite watercolor painting because it's pretty much fool proof and they all look great!

Color/Value, Contrast, Emphasis, Proportion/Size

Watercolor