A Poppy Art Project to Commemorate and Remember
Remembrance Day and Veterans Day are important holidays when we honor and remember people who have served in the military. These days are held on November 11 each year, marking the end of World War I in 1918. In countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, Remembrance Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers, while in the United States, Veterans Day is dedicated to celebrating and remembering the service of all American veterans.
The poppy flower has become a symbol for these days because of its connection to World War I. During the war, poppies grew in the battlefields of Flanders, where many soldiers lost their lives. The bright red flower was a symbol of hope and remembrance, and now, people wear poppies to honor veterans and those who have sacrificed for their countries. In this project, we will create our own artwork inspired by these flowers and artist Erin Hansen, thinking about how they represent peace, respect, and memory for all those who have served.
Scroll all the way down and click the banner to download the FREE step-by-step PDF including a poppy photo guide and interview with Erin Hansen.
Poppy Art Project Video
Poppy Art Project Instructions
What you'll need:
- 9×12 white mixed-media paper
- Oil pastels
- Watercolors
- Paintbrush and cup of water
- Paper towel
Here we go!
First, draw the horizon line and then draw your poppies. We have a helpful poppy photo guide in our step-by-step PDF, or grab a photo of a poppy to help.
The poppy shape is an upside down teardrop with a wavy edge. Then add a petal on the left and right.
Draw big ones near the bottom, and slowly make the smaller as they go back in space.
Add a mountain range with blue and some conifer trees.
Use yellow, peach/orange, pink, and finally blue for the sky, leaving areas white.
Blend the colors that touch together to soften the sky, either with a finger or paper towel.
Go back and add the stems to your poppies with green, and some yellow. Add some additional green stems with balls at the top for unopened poppies.
Paint over your work with watercolors, painting the sky the same colors as used with the oil pastels (but leaving some areas white), and the bottom portion green.
Let dry and finally use oil pastels to add a black center and then a yellow dot to finish your poppies.
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Need a more detailed step-by-step AND an interview with the artist who inspired this lesson, Erin Hansen?
Click the banner below to download the FREE pdf.
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