TOM from Home: Mixed Media (Grade K-3)

FH Varley, Tree Patterns, Kootenay Lake, date unknown, oil on canvas board. Bequest from the Douglas M Duncan Collection, 1970. Collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

An activity for participants to combine found organic objects and artistic materials to create a mixed media landscape.

This activity has been designed and created by Muriel Farmer, MA Candidate Nova Scotia College of Art.

Curriculum Notes: Activity participants will explore the elements of texture, ine, colour, shape, and form. Texture is emphasized by crumpled tissue paper as the main surface. Colour is explored by painting with primary colours and creating secondary colours. Shape and form are emphasized by organic objects placed on a flat surface. Designed for Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 3 (Age 3 - 8 years) .

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Materials:

• fresh or pressed leaves and flowers

• twigs

• tissue paper

• cardboard or canvas board

• modge podge or white glue

• paint brush

• crayons

• watercolour paint (yellow and blue)

• sponge

• jar for water

• hot glue gun to be used with adult assistance only

Description:

This activity is inspired by FH Varley's depiction of trees. Participants will be able to investigate texture and surfaces by gluing crumpled tissue paper and rubbing crayons over the lines to create contrast. This activity allows for participants to paint with primary colours such as yellow and blue and mix to create the secondary colour green. Collected organic objects such as twigs, leaves, and flowers allows children to explore three dimensional objects and apply them to a flat surface.

Explore FH Varley's Tree Patterns

• How many trees do you see? Are all of the trees the same height?

• Look at the bush strokes of the branches. What type of textures does it create? Do the branches look soft or prickly?

• What colours do you see in the mountains?

FH Varley, Tree Patterns, Kootenay Lake, date unknown, oil on canvas board. Bequest from the Douglas M Duncan Collection, 1970. Collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

Activity

Step 1

Crumple up your tissue paper a few times. Glue your crumpled tissue paper on your cardboard surface with glue or modge podge. Wait for the glue to dry.

Step 2

With a damp sponge apply yellow paint onto the tissue paper. Go slow and use your

sponge lightly so the paper does not tear!

Step 3

Rinse your sponge with water and do the same technique with blue paint. Add the blue paint to half of the paper only. Did you notice what happened when the blue mixed with the

yellow? Did you notice a new colour?

Step 4

Wait for the tissue paper and paint to dry. Then used your crayons to gently rub over the

surface.

Step 5

You can use different coloured crayons. Try adding features of your landscape like a sun,

clouds, or a mountain

Step 6

Now it is time to add your nature finds from outside. Glue your leaves, twigs, and flowers to

your piece. Ask an adult to help you with a glue gun if you need objects to really stick.

Share your creations with us @TomThomsonArtGallery

For more information on FH Varley visit this link