Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Book Activity: Katie meets the Impressionists.



The Book: This book has turned out to be a wonderful addition in the girl's book collection. Katie meets the Impressionists starts when Katie's grandmother is treated to a day at the museum by Katie; where her grandmother's favorite impressionists paintings are being shown. "Look at the flowers in the paintings," said her Grandma. "I can only see spots," said Katie. "The pictures are made up of dabs of paint and color," said Grandma. "But when you stand back, the dabs make a picuture." Katie wanders to the next painting wishing she could give some flowers to her grandmother. She is soon transported into Monet's painting The Luncheon and meets his son Jean. Her quest to find flowers takes her to more of Monet's paintings; and also, Degas and Renoir.


The Activity: With a few canvases, paint, and brushes, I told the girls to paint using dots or small brush strokes and to use as many colors as you can. We all held the book's pictures close to our face and pulled it slowly away to see all the colors and strokes come into focus to make a beautiful painting. They painted for about 30 minutes from start to finish (with a few reminders to use tiny strokes and "no" we couldn't paint a skateboard yet).

What did they learn? After work, without my encouragement gave Craig his own lesson on impressionist paintings. They held their paintings up to their faces and described how you could only see dots, but when you brought it away from your face "you can see my picture!" It was so cute watching them explain their painting - I wish I had snapped a photo! Thanks Cristin for your book a day idea!
Have you seen this book?


5 comments:

Carolee said...

Wow, what a great book and what a great idea to do that painting activity with you girls. You impress me so much with your creativity!!

Amanda said...

I will have to check this book out! My kids love to paint - and this is a great idea. Well done.

Laurie said...

That is so cute. What a great idea for an activity. I've got to check it out - Jemma would LOVE it.

Barb said...

You really foster the artistic side of your girls, how wonderful.

dani said...

i haven't seen that book. but, how much fun!!! monet is my all-time-fave; my room-mate in college and i had framed monet posters all over our dorm:)
love,
dani
ps your and the girls' artwork is very impressive!!!