Learning Objectives 

Students will: 

• Make observations using the five senses.
• Sketch scenes and capture notes from nature.
• Plan and sketch a nature scene based on observations.
• Paint a watercolor nature scene. 
• Write an artist statement.

Standards Alignment

National Core Arts StandardsNational Core Arts Standards

Common Core State StandardsCommon Core State Standards

Recommended Student Materials

Editable Documents: Before sharing these resources with students, you must first save them to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu. Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google Slides with students.

• Slide: Painting Nature Scenes
• Artist Statement: Painting Nature Scenes

Teacher Background

Teachers should plan for places to observe nature with students. This lesson works in general content area classes and art classes. 

Student Prerequisites 

Students should be familiar with making observations and painting styles. 

Accessibility Notes

Modify handouts and give preferential seating for visual presentations. Allow extra time for task completion.

Engage

1. Display an object from around the classroom (book, crayon, eraser, chair, etc.). Ask students to think of words to describe the object. 

2. Review the five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Now ask the students to describe the object using their senses. For example, the metal chair legs feel cold. The pink eraser looks sweet. The book smells antiqued. 

3. Demonstrate for students how to use their senses to make observations about nature. For example, thick air on a hot day. The smell of fresh cut grass. A woodpecker pecking at a tree. Leafless winter trees. Take students outside to make observations about their surroundings. Each student should have a journal to capture these notes. If the weather is too hot/cold or inclement, students can observe from the windows of the classroom.

4. After giving students enough time to take notes, ask them to share their observations. Record these on the board or chart paper.

5. Engage students in a discussion. Ask students: How are our senses related to art? How do artists show each of the senses in their work? Discuss how artists’ observations are incorporated into their work.

Build

1. Review with students the art of watercolor painting. Describe the materials needed and the methods used. 

2. Introduce students to watercolor paintings. Display the Slide: Painting Nature Scenes to explore examples. 

3. Engage students in a discussion about the paintings. Ask: What themes are present in these watercolor paintings? Using your senses, how would you describe the painting?

4. Tell students that many watercolorists focus on nature and landscapes. For example, Charles Burchfield (1893 – 1967) was a watercolorist whose career focused on the regional life, architecture, and landscape of the Midwest. An avid observer of nature, Burchfield captured notes and sketches in elaborate journals that provided inspiration for his paintings.

5. Create a personal “Nature Observation Journal.” Tell students for one week, they will record their observations of weather, music and art. Like Burchfield, they will capture notes and sketches to serve as the inspiration for original watercolor paintings. 

Apply

1. Plan a nature scene. Have students use their “Nature Observation Journal” to sketch a nature scene for their final painting. Model for students how to use the journal to plan a sketch.

2. Demonstrate best practices for watercolor painting. For example, taping the paper onto the table so it does not curl up, wetting the paper, dry brush, scratching into a wet surface, and adding detail after the paint has dried. 

3. Have students recreate their drawing on large watercolor paper. Tell students they should incorporate their knowledge of watercolor techniques. Work with students on an individual basis as needed. 

4. Move artwork to drying racks at the end of the session. Finished work should be displayed on a large board for class critique and evaluation. Work-journals should be displayed alongside the paintings.

Reflect 

1. Write artist statements about the watercolor paintings. Distribute the Artist Statement: Painting Nature Scenes handout. They should address the following questions: What medium did you use? What did you paint? In what ways did observing nature inspire you? Why did you make certain artistic choices (colors, lines, shape)? What mood does the painting convey?

2. Display the paintings and artist statements for an audience.