Painting Lessons

We hope you get inspired by these amazing lessons based on the work of Northwest Artists! Once you find a lesson you like, click on the button to download the plan as a PDF. If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like help adapting this lesson to meet the needs or grade level of your students, please email education@museumofnwart.org. Our Art Box Lending Library has free supplies that help with many lessons. You’ll find the links where applicable, check them out!

  • Apple Still Life Paintings Inspired by Yvonne Twining Humber

    Students will create their own still life of an apple and be introduced to Pacific Northwest artist Yvonne Twining Humber. Art Boxes: Drawing Box & Brushes Box

  • Artful Doodles Inspired by Robert Sund

    This lesson provides a fun letter writing practice warm-up inspired by Robert Sund's work. Art Boxes: Drawing, Brushes and Watercolor Resist Box

  • Artistic Landforms in Washington State

    Students will learn about contour drawing and create a watercolor painting inspired by Abby Williams Hill's artwork. Art Boxes: Drawing, Watercolor Resist & Brushes Box

  • Atmospheric Perspective: Inspired by Kenneth Callahan

    Students will be introduced to Kenneth Callahan's work and apply his techniques to create their own Northwest landscape watercolor painting. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist and Brushes Box

  • Blown Ink Forest Scapes Inspired by Etsuko Ichikawa

    Inspired by the art of Etsuko Ichikawa, students blow ink to create unique paintings. They will use chalk pastels to add color. Art Boxes: Sumi-e Ink and Chalk Pastel Box

  • Caterpillar to Butterfly Painting Inspired by Eric Parnell

    This activity allows students to explore the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly while creating a painting inspired by artist Eric Parnell. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Circle Vocabulary Paintings Inspired by Pratima Misra

    Using the art of Pratima Misra as inspiration, students will create a watercolor piece that explores the geometric properties of circles. Art Box: Watercolor Resist Box

  • Cityscapes in Primary Colors: Inspired by Jacob Lawrence

    Students will design and paint a cityscape of their own inspired by Jacob Lawrence's work.

    Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Cloud Paintings Inspired by Steven Thornton

    After learning about types of clouds and talking about Steven Thornton's paintings, students will make a cloud artwork of their own. Art Box: Watercolor Resist Box

  • Color Wheel & Book Mark Inspired by Max Benjamin

    Students will create a color wheel and apply their color-mixing skills to create a personal bookmark, while learning about Max Benjamin and Frank Bowling. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Comfortable Cats Inspired by Anne Schreivogl

    Using the art of Anne Schreivogl, students will create cat portraits and stories inspired by their own personal favorite cats. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Ecosystem Triarama Paintings Inspired by Alfredo Arreguín

    Inspired by Alfredo Arreguín, students will make a paper triarama where they depict an ecosystem of their choice. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist and Brushes Box

  • Fantasy Paintings Inspired by Tamara B. Charles

    After observing a selected work by Tamara B. Charles, students will then create their own "fantasy paintings" using organic shapes. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist Box & Brushes Box

  • Food Chain Watercolor Resists Inspired by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith

    Students will create a watercolor resist that depicts a food chain, inspired by the art of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist and Brushes Box

  • Harriet Tubman Tempera Paintings

    Students will create a painting that depicts a portion of Harriet Tubman's life, inspired by Jacob Lawrence's own series of paintings about her life. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Library Paintings Inspired by Jacob Lawrence

    Inspired by Jacob Lawrence's painting The Library, students will create their own compositions. Art Boxes: Acrylic Paint and Brushes Box

  • Mandala Color Wheel Inspired by Ruth Asawa and Prasun Balasubramaniam

    Students will create a color wheel and a mandala using primary colors, and mixing the secondary colors within a specific pattern. Art Boxes: Painting and Brushes Box

  • Mural Inspired by Travis Czekalski & Jake Stommel

    In this collaborative project, students will complete a classroom mural inspired by Travis Czekalski and Jon Stommel. Art Boxes: Acrylic Paint and Brushes Box

  • Mystical Window Resists

    Students will create a watercolor resist painting inspired by the work of Mark Tobey.

    Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist and Brushes Box

  • Native Plants Watercolor Paintings Inspired by Jacqueline Tribble

    Students will create watercolor paintings depicting native plants in our area. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist & Brushes Box

  • Stained Glass Window Paintings Inspired by Harold Alfred

    Students will learn about visual storytelling and the work of Harold Alfred as they create their own "stained glass" designs.

  • Still Life Paintings Inspired by Lisa Caballero

    Students will explore the history of still life painting and the work of Lisa Caballero as inspiration before creating their own versions. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • The Value of Place Value Inspired by Sarah Spurgeon

    Students will visually represent the concept of numerical place value using the art element of value and create work inspired by Sarah Spurgeon. Art Box: Brushes Box

  • Tree Mural Inspired by Adrianne Smits

    Drawing inspiration from Adrianne Smits, students will work together to create a large mural of a tree. Art Boxes: Acrylic Paint Box, Drawing Box and Watercolor Resist Box

  • Watercolors & Writing Inspired by Joan Govedare

    Students will look at Joan Govedare's ceramic works to observe how an artist can tell a story and they will practice using value to create a painting. Art Boxes: Watercolor Resist and Brushes Box