Overview & Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about texture using watercolor, by taking in their
surroundings.
Grade Level Performance Standards
VA: Cr2.1.8a- Demonstrate willingness to experiment, innovate, and take risks to pursue ideas, forms,
and meanings that emerge in the process of art-making or designing.
VA: Re.7.1.8a- Explain how a person’s aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment and
impact the visual image that one conveys to others.
Focus/Goals
In this visual arts lesson plan, students will apply their knowledge of watercolor to texture. They will
learn what texture is and how to portray texture in a piece with watercolors. They can play with these
techniques in their sketchbooks before applying them to the bigger project. The final project will be
done in watercolor of their choice of animal or object so long as texture is involved.
Learning Objectives
● Students will be able to gain a better understanding of texture.
● Students will gain a better understanding of watercolor techniques.
● Students will be able to apply texture to an animal or object using watercolor successfully.
Contemporary Artists
● “Inky Leaves” Jessica Shepherd
● Vincent Jeannerot
● Laurin McCracken
Vocabulary
● Wash- an even layer of color spread onto paper, using broad brush strokes placed close
together.
● Gradient- applying colors in a smooth transition from dark to light, or from one color to
another.
● Texture- the illusion of different surface qualities that are created through the use of various
brushstrokes, colors, and techniques.
Materials/Supplies
● Watercolor
● Watercolor paper or mixed-media paper
● Brushes
● Water cups
● Paper towels
● Salt
● Foil (optional)
● Saran Wrap (optional)
● Bubble wrap (optional)
Time Required: One week (1 hour per class)
Lesson Plan:
Day 1: Introduction of the lesson
> Asking students their knowledge of watercolor techniques and how they could show texture using
watercolor.
> Giving a brief history on watercolor painting.
> Introducing the three contemporary artists to students.
> Introducing the three projects to students, starting with the watercolor technique worksheet and the
watercolor texture worksheet which they will be working on for the week. Give a brief introduction of
what is expected for the final watercolor project.
> Homework: Have students come up with three or more ideas for textures that they can recreate with
watercolor. Have them submit pictures online so that the teacher can make sure the photos chosen are
acceptable and meet expectations for students ( if the picture does not show adequate texture or the
picture is too complex).
Day 2: Work Day for Technique Worksheet
> Homework due: make sure students have checked their feedback on the pictures they submitted so
they know whether they should use the pictures or think of switching them to another picture.
> Have students gather their materials (5 minutes): Watercolor/ mixed-media paper, ruler, water cups,
paper towels, and brushes (wash brush, medium round brush and small round brush).
> Assign watercolors to students to ensure that students are responsible with maintaining their
materials. Make sure students know they are to be responsible with keeping their materials clean and
making sure nothing is broken or missing.
> On their watercolor/ mixed-media paper, have students copy the template for the technique
worksheet.
> Do a demo for students, doing each technique as students follow along to ensure they understand
how to do each technique.
> After the demonstration, make sure to walk around the classroom to make sure students are
following along and offer help to any students struggling.
> Students will work on their technique worksheet until the 5-minute mark before the class ends.
> For the last 5-minutes of class, students will clean their space, cleaning their materials and stowing
them away to their assigned storage. Also have students check if they have their names on their paper
before stowing them away on the drying rack.
> After class ends, make sure materials are clean and stowed away properly, ensuring that students are
maintaining their materials as expected.
> When the paper is dry, the teacher is responsible for putting the student artworks away for
safe-keeping and to create space for other students to use the drying rack.
Day 3- Work Day for Texture Worksheet
> Have students gather their materials (5 minutes): Pre-cut watercolor/ mixed-media paper, ruler,
water cups, paper towels, brushes, and the three pictures they chose from the homework.
> If students are not finished with their technique worksheet, give them a few minutes to finish.
> Students will copy the texture worksheet onto their watercolor/ mixed-media paper.
> Introduce the worksheet and what is expected from the students for the texture project. Show the
teacher example to students.
> Offer assistance and feedback to students when doing their practice.
> Students will continue to work until the 5-minute mark before the class ends.
> For the last 5-minutes of class, students will clean their space, cleaning their materials and stowing
them away to their assigned storage. Also have students check if they have their names on their paper
before stowing them away on the drying rack.
> After class ends, make sure materials are clean and stowed away properly, ensuring that students are
maintaining their materials as expected.
> When the paper is dry, the teacher is responsible for putting the student artworks away for
safe-keeping and to create space for other students to use the drying rack.
> Homework: Students need to look for pictures they are willing to recreate for the final project.
Students will turn-in one picture with a short explanation of why they chose the picture and how they
will show texture using watercolors.
Day 4-5: Continuing and Finishing Texture Practice.
> Both days are mostly dedicated to finishing their texture practices and giving students feedback on
their work.
> On day 5, students finish their texture practices and the teacher will introduce the final project. The
purpose of the final project is to combine what students have learned from their technique worksheets
and texture practices into a half-sheet of watercolor/mixed-media paper.
> Homework due and students will bring their chosen picture to class, either digitally or printed out.
> Show the teaching example and explain how it shows texture even though the picture is not
overly-detailed.
> Students will begin working on their final project, utilizing the picture they chose from their
homework.
> Offer assistance and feedback to students when doing their project.
> Students will continue to work on their final project until the 5-minute mark before the end of class.
> For the last 5-minutes of class, students will clean their space, cleaning their materials and stowing
them away to their assigned storage. Also have students check if they have their names on their paper
before stowing them away on the drying rack.
> After class ends, make sure materials are clean and stowed away properly, ensuring that students are
maintaining their materials as expected.
> When the paper is dry, the teacher is responsible for putting the student artworks away for
safe-keeping and to create space for other students to use the drying rack.
Day 6-7: Work Days and Finishing Project.
> Students will continue to work on their final project.
> Support students by giving them structured feedback and offer assistance when needed.
> The last day for students to work on their project is Day 7, make sure students are on track to
finishing their work.
> Students will turn in their projects by the end of the class period.
> Students will do a self-reflection on what they have learned about watercolor textures.
