Exploring Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" Through Color and Art

Preschool (Ages 3-5) Masterpiece Appreciation Class:

Exploring Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" Through Color and Art

Age Group:

3-5 years old

Learning Objectives:

• Children will identify and explore the three main colors in Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night": yellow, light/dark blue, and black.

• Children will learn how to use colors in a gradient order (from light to dark) to recreate their own version of the painting.

• Children will deepen their appreciation of "Starry Night" and learn about the importance of color in art.

Materials Needed:

• Video of Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night"

• Paints or markers in yellow, light blue, dark blue, and black

• White construction paper or canvas

• Brushes or sponges for painting

• Water cups for rinsing brushes

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):

   • Briefly introduce Vincent van Gogh as the artist of the famous "Starry Night."

   • Show a video that highlights the swirling colors and dynamic movement in the painting.

   • Discuss the three main colors in the painting: yellow (for the stars), light/dark blue (for the swirling clouds), and black (for the trees and town).

2. Activity Setup (5 minutes):

   • Explain to the children that they will use the same colors from "Starry Night" to make their own version of the painting.

   • Discuss the importance of the gradient technique (from light to dark) when using the colors to recreate the painting’s effect.

3. Hands-on Activity (20 minutes):

   • Guide the children to begin painting their "Starry Night" version on white construction paper or canvas.

   • Instruct them to start with yellow for the stars, followed by light blue for the swirling clouds, and finish with dark blue and black for the trees and town.

   • Encourage children to experiment with blending the colors to create a gradient effect.

4. Wrap-Up (5 minutes):

   • Allow children to share their artwork with the class.

   • Discuss how their paintings compare to van Gogh’s original "Starry Night."

Assessment:

• Observe children’s participation and ability to identify and use the three main colors.

• Evaluate how well they apply the gradient technique in their paintings.

• Note their understanding of how these colors contribute to the atmosphere and emotion in "Starry Night."

Extensions:

• After the activity, invite children to add more stars or create additional swirling patterns in their paintings.

• Encourage children to talk about their feelings when looking at their own "Starry Night" artwork compared to the original.