📖

Bold Brushstrokes and Thick Paint

Artist Study: Vincent van Gogh

Day 33of 180
Week 7of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about van Gogh's impasto painting technique

2

Practice creating bold, visible brushstrokes

3

Understand how artists can glorify God through creativity

📖 Scripture Connection

Exodus 35:31-32

“He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs,”

— Exodus 35:31-32 (WEB)

God gives people special talents to create beautiful art that honors Him

📦 Materials Needed

  • Thick white paper
  • Tempera or acrylic paint
  • Thick paintbrushes
  • Paint palettes or paper plates
  • Smocks or old shirts
  • Water cups
  • Paper towels
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show pictures of van Gogh's paintings with thick, visible brushstrokes. Explain that God gives artists special ways to show His creativity.

💭 Review Question: What do you notice about how van Gogh painted?
2Teaching (8 min)

Demonstrate the impasto technique by loading lots of paint on a brush and making thick, textured strokes on paper.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Van Gogh used thick paint to show emotion
  • Bold brushstrokes can make paintings feel alive
  • Artists use their talents to celebrate God's beautiful world
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How can painting be a way of praising God?
  • What colors make you feel happy?
  • How does God help artists be creative?
3Activity: Bold Brushstroke Landscape (10 min)
Hands-on Painting

Students will create a simple landscape using thick paint and bold brushstrokes

📝 Instructions:
  1. Put on smocks
  2. Choose 2-3 colors of paint
  3. Load brush with lots of paint
  4. Make thick, visible strokes to create a landscape
  5. Don't worry about perfect details
  6. Focus on bold, fun brushstrokes
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide pre-drawn landscape outline

Challenge: Create abstract landscape with imagination

4Closing (2 min)

Display paintings and celebrate each child's unique artwork

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about van Gogh today?
  • How can art show God's creativity?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us imagination and creativity to make beautiful things.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about van Gogh's sunflower paintings!

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 104:1

“Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.”

— Psalm 104:1 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Paint the memory verse with bold brushstrokes

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Van Gogh was a complex artist who struggled with mental health but found beauty in simple things

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage process over perfection
  • Let children experiment with thick paint
  • Praise creative efforts
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get frustrated if painting doesn't look 'perfect'

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Enjoyment of the painting process, willingness to try bold strokes

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a family art gallery at home
  • Explore other textured painting techniques
  • Read a child-friendly biography about van Gogh

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 34 →Back to Art