Josey’s Art School
Presents
This Lesson: Claude Monet – “Japanese Footbridge”
By Robin Norgren, M.A.
Discussion
Kids can explore Claude Monet’s garden in this video, featuring the painting “The Japanese Footbridge.” Monet combined his love of nature and art by planting gardens wherever he lived. In order to create this water garden at his home in Giverny, France, Monet had to divert a small stream and form a pond, which he surrounded with flowers and bushes. His prized water garden became a subject he explored obsessively; he painted more than 200 paintings of his beloved lily pond.
Here is the link to the video: http://www.artbabble.org/video/ngadc/japanese-footbridge-1899-claude-monet
Materials needed
Pencil (to write the child’s name on the back of the work)
9” X 12” piece of copy paper. If you plan on painting the drawing it would be best to use a heavier grade paper.
This is a lesson that can be adapted in many ways depending on the age and skill level of your classroom.
Optional: markers/crayons/colored pencils/watercolors- MY EXAMPLE is filled in with crayons and markers and tempura paint. I also show a collage option.
Painting option:
Blue/green/pink or red tempura paint
Collage option:
Glue
Green construction paper cut into jagged strips
Pink and yellow construction paper cut into petals
Aprons
Length of Time/Duration of project:
30-40 minutes
Prep work:
Gather the materials
Create a sample
Optional: Draw a bridge in the middle of the page.
This should take no more than about 20 -30 minutes
Instructions
1.Take your piece of paper that you are using as the base for the project and write the child’s name on the back of the paper or let them write their names on their own.
2.Here is a close – up of a very simplified bridge that I created in the middle of the page. I drew this on for my preschool students and then referred to it as I gave directions (“paint underneath…” “paint above” … etc.). This is 3 simply curved vertical lines.
3.Then add some design features to give the bridge more depth.
4.PAINTING OPTION: Paint scattered vertical lines underneath the bridge.
5.Paint the sky using blue tempura paint.
6.We used a swirling motion with the paintbrush to create movement and dimension.
7.Use the backside of the paintbrush to create the flowers.
8.UP NEXT THE COLLAGE OPTION
8.We had some scrapbook paper handy to mix in with the green construction paper. Also shown is a different way to create the bridge.
You can find my art lessons on Teachers Pay Teachers
CLICK HERE: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Joseys-Art-School
Look at my free art videos on YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbQExZltWJHERASlzbZ6nLtjeqvpAgLY7