A Day with Monet

the young artists busy at work
J studies the hydrangea

the little princess focused on her painting of the hydrangea

the crocodile hunter working on his lily pads

artist J - age 7

Once a week in the summer I get together with my sister-in-law and we have art class for our kids using Atelier Art. Today was a lesson on Monet, and so we let them experience authentic impressionist painting - outside. We read Mike Venezia's book on Monet, and a fun little book in rhyme about a frog who finds his way into Monet's garden. The kids loved it, and I must say I was impressed with how well they listened to the instruction on the impressionist style and were able to recreate the feel in their own art. We used powder tempera paints so they could start with a pallette of powders, then add a wet brush and create a very thick textural paint which they applied in small dabs and strokes. I found those great paint boards at H*bby Lobby - on sale this week for $6 - perfect for outdoor art.