I was reminded about a fun art lesson I did a few years back when I recently read, CREEPY CARROTS by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown. And, I wish I had this book! I did not call my lesson "creepy pumpkins" back then because I had not read it. This fun seasonal story is quite hilarious. Definitely a crowd pleaser for kids. But I was drawn to the art in this story which shows value in the shadows of color by the illustrator. I also just love a monochromatic theme. There is so much discussion of color with this book, it makes me wish I was back in a class to do this lesson again.
Actually, what is so fun, is that the story and art are not really creepy at all. Bringing in just a hint of creepy elements makes this story quite engaging as well as the art which uses shadow and value to portray a creepy sense is just enough for me.
I taught this lesson to fourth graders but it can be modified or taught from K-5th grade. I would use less lines for younger ages and less patterns.
The lesson is about teaching color value by adding light or darkness with white or black. I love to give choices to kids but not too many so I aloud three colors to choose from, blue, purple or green. Although, it is entirely up to you and one year you may choose orange and another year purple or blue.
First I taught color value by making a value color chart. Students drew 6 boxes about the same size on their strip. (Next time, I might have them draw 7.) Next they wrote the definition of our lesson at the top or bottom. "Value is adding light or dark to a color." They started with their color and I came by to add drops of white. They told me when to stop and raised their hand for another few drops for the next box.
They started in the center with their color then added white for the next box and then a little more white for the next. Then they made darker shades for the last two boxes they began with their same color and then added black. (adding the dark to the color can also be the second lesson day.)
Part of the first lesson is the simple drawing. Possibly this could have been drawn before painting. But fit it in however it works best for your class or time. Here are simple directive drawings to do together. Start with a baseline about 3-4 inches from the bottom of the landscape paper (a hand width). Next draw a pumpkin in the left corner. (erase any lines in the pumpkin from baseline) Now add simple lines for large spaces above and below the baseline. Two lines below seems to be enough and about four or five lines above. We talked about straight lines versus curved lines. I let the students choose.
Try fitting partial painting in the first lesson for time for the paint to dry. This helps a lot. Using the different light value colors first, paint three or four of the spaces that do not touch. Drying in-between really helps so the colors and paint do not blend/mix at the lines. And students don't get wet paint on their clothes.
Part two of this lesson is adding the dark to the color value. Fill in your value chart if you have not done so. Then paint one of the spaces the true color. Possibly the pumpkin. Next, paint the three to five remaining spaces different values of darker shades. This is where you may add patterns to the dry painted light colors. I say only add one or two simple patterns. Dots, zigzag or wavy. Maybe criss-cross. You might have to add one more light space to keep it balanced. So just be ready to help their creativity with white on hand.
This can be done in two lessons or three. After the paintings dry, read the story again or watch a video of it. Some videos have great voice and sound effects. Check them out on #youtube . Oh! I almost forgot! The last thing to help the projects stand out is to use a black sharpie to make the lines look sharp and defined. (And add their name.) Maybe read the book again as they draw in their lines.
I hope you enjoy this art lesson and this fabulous book! I like this book because it is a little creepy but friendly too. Another book you might want to visit is CREEPY CRAYONS by the same author/illustrator team. The color theme is purple!
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