How to Teach Form Through Painting
Teaching kids form is teaching them how to create a 3D piece of art – and most often this is done with clay. However, learning how to paint form, and to make an image seem 3D, is exciting to kids – and fun for us. So in this blog post, I’ll go over how to teach form through painting – by painting something that is a staple during autumn in Michigan – a big, juicy apple.
Here's a quick demo of how it looks in action:
What you'll need:
- 9×12 or 12×18 white sulphite or mixed-media paper
- Paper plate
- Liquid tempera in these colors
- White
- Red
- Green
- Yellow
- Paintbrush
- Crayon or pencil
Painting a Juicy Apple
If you have an apple nearby, it’s an incredible prop! If you don’t, start by drawing a basic apple – an oval shape that’s wider at the top, and skinnier at the bottom.
The apple can be drawn with a pencil or a light-colored crayon and is just a guide.
Next, paint a base coat of yellow. This coat will allow the beautiful variation of color.
Paint red on top, letting it be streaky and imperfect. Some of the yellow should show through.
Mix a little red and green together to create a shade of brown.
Paint the right side of the apple and the bottom with the brown, using long streaks of color.
Use the brown to add a stem that starts slightly below the top of the apple. Add a small U-shape at the base of the stem.
Use green with a touch of yellow to paint the leaf. Use a little brown or pure green to add a shadow to the bottom of the leaf and add veins.
Paint a strip of white on the upper left, curving downward. This is the highlight.
Paint the background with any color – I love to use green with the white since it’s still on the paper plate.
When kids learn how to paint form, they can transfer these techniques to other fruits like grapes, pears, and oranges – and other items such as balls.
Click below to grab our handout that kids can use to remember the steps for how to paint that juicy apple – perfect for after an orchard visit, or to pair with an apple pie!
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you make this big apple art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
Join the Glitterbombers Membership!
This is only one of the many diverse art lessons in the Glitterbombers Membership. Hundreds more art projects, videos, and resources at your fingertips for whatever you’re studying, or whatever art concept you’re ready to teach. Head here to hop on the waitlist and find out when we open next!
