First Grade Watercolor Bunnies-Value

I began my lesson by talking to the students about realistic versus representational art. I spoke with them about the art of illustration and what books might be like if there were no pictures.

After showing them images of Catherine Rayner's work I told them we were going to create a representational painting of a bunny using two different values of watercolors.

I had the students follow me as I directed them in drawing their bunnies with pencil.

The first graders learned about VALUES of a color. They used lighter shade of brown and a darker shade of brown to paint their bunnies.  I used Blick liquid watercolors to create the two different shades they used. They used a number 8 round brush to paint their drawings. Finally, they added some details with sharpie (some went a bit overboard). :)

This lesson was based off the illustrations of Catherine Rayner who is an amazing illustrator.
http://www.catherinerayner.co.uk/

This one looks so much like a llama!

I was VERY inspired by this lesson from MAKE