We started with a discussion about the difference between a landscape and a portrait, then discussed warm (red, yellow, orange) and cool (blue, green, purple) colors. Children use cool colors for their torn paper foreground, middle mountains, and far mountains; they then use warm colors for their watercolor sunset.
We started with the watercolor background on watercolor paper so that it has time to dry while working on the torn paper foreground and mountains. Using a watercolor wash technique (explained in this post about watercolor techniques) and sweeping horizontal strokes with the paintbrush, children make lines of warm colors covering their entire paper.
Starting with precut rectangles at differing heights helps children achieve successful tearing of the paper foreground and mountains. After ripping the tops of the rectangles off in triangles, children stack their paper in order to visualize the way their foreground, middle, and far mountains will line up. When satisfied, glue the pieces onto the warm colored background. Lastly, rip a piece of orange paper into a circle shape and tuck behind the paper mountains for the sunset sky.
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| Though this photo doesn't show it, children can use a permanent maker to add small flying birds in the sky for a finishing touch. |
