Lower Key Stage 2 Mountains, Rivers and Coasts

River Art Inspired by Monet

Consider and discuss some paintings from Monet’s River Thames series. Discover the importance of light and colour to Monet in creating an impression of a scene. Paint a version of Monet’s work using 4 carefully matched colours.

Teaching Outcomes:

• To understand and explore how Claude Monet used light and colour to create impressions of River Thames.

Children will:

• Look closely at some of the River Thames series of paintings by the French artist Claude Monet, thinking particularly about his use of light and colour to create an impression.
• Learn some facts about the life and work of Claude Monet.
• Mix and match colours from Monet’s work and record this in sketchbooks.
• Use the 4 predominant colours to paint their own version of one on Monet’s River Thames paintings.
• Discuss and evaluate their own work and that of others.

• Monet's river Thames series
• Monet paintings

• Cartridge or art paper
• A selection of acrylic paints
• Mixing pallets, water pots, brushes and soft pencils

There are no weblinks needed for this session.

Learn about the early life and work of Claude Monet and how the term “Impressionism” began. Make a detailed study of the way Monet painted light and shadow on water in sketch books using acrylic paints.

Teaching Outcomes:

• To investigate the painting style of Monet and in particular the way in which he captured light reflecting on water.

Children will:

• Gain increased knowledge of the life and work of Claude Monet.
• Understand how the term “Impressionist” came about and what it means in art.
• Take a detailed look at paintings from Monet’s river Thames Series.
• Use sketchbooks and acrylic paint to investigate the effect sunlight on water in the style of Monet.
• Paint a study of sunlight on water using a section of “water” by Monet as inspiration.

• Monet presentation
• Images of water from Monet river Thames series

• Sketchbooks
• A selection of acrylic paints, water pots and mixing pallets
• Rectangles of cartridge or art paper
• Brushes of different shapes and sizes
• Sticky tack.

There are no weblinks needed for this session.

Discover Monet’s love of painting outside (en plein air) and experience this by painting an outdoor scene in Impressionist style. Evaluate the resulting paintings considering their use of light and colour to create an “impression.”

Teaching Outcomes:

• To understand and explore how Claude Monet used light and colour to create impressions of outdoor scenes, painting “en plein air”.

Children will:

• Understand the importance of light and colour in Monet’s paintings and why he loved to paint “en plein air”
• Paint a scene in impressionist style using a variety of taught techniques to help them.
• Evaluate their work and that of others by considering how successfully the paintings have used light and colour to create an impression.

• River art presentation

• Good quality art paper
• Clipboards or mini whiteboards and bulldog clips
• A packet of wet wipes
• Dimple pallets and acrylic paints
• Water pots
• Several 4 pint (clean) milk containers full of water
• Clear document sleeves
• 6 -8 clear document sleeves mounted on a rectangular view finder
• Strong carrier bags
• A mat per child

David Dunlop visiting Monet’s garden and painting a picture in impressionist style from YouTube.com

Learn how Claude Monet’s story ends and find out about his contribution to art. Create a final piece, painted on canvas board of the River Thames at sunset in Monet’s Impressionist style, drawing together all the skills taught during this block.

Teaching Outcomes:

• To gain a deeper understanding of the work of Claude Monet and paint a picture of the River Thames in his Impressionist style.

Children will:

• Learn more about the later life and work of Claude Monet.
• Develop a clearer understanding of Impressionism.
• Create a painting of The River Thames at sunset in Impressionist style.
• Understand the contribution of Claude Monet to art.

• The life and work of Claude Monet presentation
• Art inspired by monet's paintings

• An A4 canvas board
• Soft pencils
• Selection of acrylic paints
• Selection of brushes in different sizes
• Dimple pallets
• Water pots

There are no weblinks needed for this session.