📖

Sunflowers and Simple Beauty

Artist Study: Vincent van Gogh

Day 34of 180
Week 7of 36
25Minutes
← Day 33Day 34 of 180Day 35 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about van Gogh's sunflower paintings

2

Understand how artists can celebrate God's creation

3

Practice painting with bold brushstrokes

4

Create a personal sunflower artwork

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 1:12

“The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. God saw that it was good.”

— Genesis 1:12 (WEB)

Just as God created beautiful plants, Vincent van Gogh celebrated their beauty through art

📦 Materials Needed

  • Yellow and green tempera paint
  • Thick paintbrushes
  • White paper
  • Pencils
  • Water cups
  • Paper towels
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show images of van Gogh's sunflower paintings. Ask students what they notice about the flowers.

💭 Review Question: What makes these sunflowers special?
2Teaching (7 min)

Discuss how van Gogh loved painting simple things God created, like sunflowers. Talk about their bright colors and how they turn to follow the sun.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Van Gogh painted many sunflower pictures
  • Sunflowers represent happiness and hope
  • God creates amazing details in nature
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What colors do you see in the sunflower paintings?
  • Why do you think van Gogh liked sunflowers?
3Activity: My Sunflower Celebration (10 min)
hands-on painting

Students will create their own sunflower painting using thick brushstrokes and bold colors

📝 Instructions:
  1. Lightly sketch sunflower shape with pencil
  2. Use thick brushes to add yellow paint
  3. Add green stems and leaves
  4. Use bold, visible brushstrokes like van Gogh
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide sunflower outline to paint within

Challenge: Add background colors and multiple flowers

4Closing (3 min)

Share paintings and discuss what students learned about van Gogh and God's creation

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about sunflowers today?
  • How can art help us appreciate God's world?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for creating beautiful things like sunflowers that make us happy. Help us see your wonderful design in nature. Amen.

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

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 104:24

“How many are your works, Yahweh! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”

— Psalm 104:24 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Trace the first letter of each word while reciting

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter who saw beauty in everyday subjects

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage creativity
  • Focus on enjoyment over perfection
  • Display child's artwork proudly
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get frustrated with imperfect brushstrokes

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Enthusiasm about painting and understanding of van Gogh's style

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Plant sunflower seeds at home
  • Photograph sunflowers in your neighborhood
  • Read children's book about van Gogh

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 35 →Back to Art