This preschool art activity is a great way to kick off a famous artist theme. It can also be tied to units on other famous artists, nature, the environment, seasons, weather, time of day, or colors. Additionally, it can be adapted based upon the ages and needs found in each specific classroom.
Monet Inspired Art Activity Lesson Objectives
- Explore impressionism as an art style.
- Increase art vocabulary.
- Increase fine motor development.
- Color recognition.
- Develop awareness of natural environment (this may include plant life, weather, and seasons).
- Explore art materials and processes.
Grade/Age Level
This activity works well with children ages four and up. Due to the nature of the primary material used in this process (oil pastels), this activity should not be used with very young children. Most brands of oil pastels are non-toxic, but are labeled for use with children who are three years of age and older.
Materials Needed to Create the Monet Inspired Art
- White drawing or construction paper
- Non-toxic oil pastels
Steps to Create the Monet Inspired Artwork
Pre-activity:
Prior to beginning this activity make sure to explain and discuss what an artist is and does. Read books related to art and artists. Show reproductions of Claude Monet's work. These can be found online, on art postcards from museums, in calendars, or on posters.
Give the children a very brief, child friendly background on impressionism as a style. For the preschool age group it is only necessary to discuss the very basics and offer a few new vocabulary words. Topics for discussion on impressionism may include:
- Painting outdoors and the use of nature as subject matter.
- Capturing the specific season and time of day in the painting.
- The use of light and colors.
- Visible brushstrokes.
If you feel that your specific class may be too young to understand some of the suggested topics simply show pictures of Monet's work and discuss how he liked to paint outside in nature.
Process Steps:
- If possible, take the class outside. This project works best when created outdoors. The children can place their paper on a solid ground surface, a picnic table, or any other smooth area. If it is not possible to go outdoors, ask the children to either look out a window or view pictures/posters of a natural scene while indoors.
- Invite the children to draw what they see using the oil pastels. Show the children how they can layer one color on top of another or blend the colors together with a finger. Remind them that the picture need not look realistic. Encourage the children to explore with color and lines. Impressionist paintings had visible brushstrokes. Ask the children to pretend that the oil pastels are paint brushes, and show the lines that the brush strokes would make.
Lesson Wrap Up for Monet Inspired Art Activity
After the children have finished their oil pastel art, ask them to talk about what they created. For example:
- What did you draw outside?
- How did you use the oil pastels differently than you use crayons or markers?
- What colors did you use?
- What colors did you make the sky, and why?
- Was it fun to draw while outside?
Enrichment Activities for the Monet Inspired Art Lesson
- Other art: Try easel painting using long brushes, and ask the children to show you their brush strokes (like an impressionist).
- Nature/science: Tie this activity to a nature or science unit.
- Literacy: Read books about Claude Monet or other famous artists. Try reading A Blue Butterfly: A Story about Claude Monet by Bijou LeTord [Double Day Books for Young Readers, 1995].
Preschoolers are not too young to learn about famous and influential artists. This simple art activity encourages preschoolers to explore nature, discover new art materials, and learn about the world of art.
