Are you kidding? Did you even notice how clever that title is?
Basic color theory is probably something kids won’t get overly excited about learning, but if you use lots of visuals, maybe they will get sucked in by the pretty colors and accidentally learn something.
This is a very basic project as far as color theory goes, because it doesn’t go further than primary or secondary colors. But there’s a twist! You get to learn how to fold an equilateral triangle from a piece of paper, which I believe solidly brings in some math to this project.
Materials:
basic printer paper
medium to heavyweight paper
pencil
watercolor paint brush
Trace the triangle, then flip it upside down and trace it over the 1st triangle.
Using the watercolor pencils, color in the primary colors and secondary colors:
Primary Colors:
1. Red
3. Yellow
5. Blue
Secondary Colors:
2. Orange = red + yellow
4. Green = yellow + blue
6. Purple = blue + red
Use the watercolor brush dipped in water to ‘melt’ the pencil into watercolor paint. This really highlights the primary colors mixing to become secondary colors, and it’s a quick, easy introduction to using watercolor pencils. I bet if this is your kids’ first time using these, they’ll immediately jump right into another painting of their own.
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That folding of paper to make triangles is like Origami! How in the world did you figure that out? And yes, LOVE the title of your post!!!
PragmaticMom recently posted…Win 6 Packs of iD Gum GIVEAWAY
Oh, silly. I didn’t figure that out. I didn’t have any equilateral triangles sitting around my home, so I turned to the Google! Thanks for enjoying the title. I need the reassurance.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Cool Kids Need Cool Plush
My first grade son is learning all about primary and secondary colors in art right now! When I ask him about his projects, he tells me which colors he used, and if they’re primary or secondary. Since he’s so into it, this will be nice to do at home with him (and I have watercolor pencils sitting in the cabinet, begging me to take them out today). Thanks!
(P.S. Love that ring in the photos!)
The ring is officially a Target ring, fyi. I love that you have everything you need to do some crazy color wheel watercoloring! I hope he enjoys the project. Actually, the folding of the triangle is the most fun part.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Mosaic Art With Kids
I love this! I’m always looking for projects that are fun like this, but also that my 4 year old can actually learn from. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Pahl recently posted…October Artist of the Month: Worley’s Lighting
Of course! I would love to see what a preschooler would do with this- if you tackle it, I want to see the results!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Spooky Charcoal Drawing Project
This is fun! Love the idea of using watercolor pencils!
Ann recently posted…Words That Sound Alike
This is such a great idea. We are going over that with my son right now, and having him not only see it, but do it helps a bunch.