Monochromatic Pattern Pumpkins

Fourth and fifth grade students made these beautiful pumpkins back in October and November.  This was our big painting project of the year and took just over a month to complete.

To start, we discussed works by artist Romero Britto and how they made us feel.  We talked about use of pattern with line, color, and shape.  Then, we drew HUGE pumpkins on the front and again on the back of our papers.  They chose the best one and then we practiced drawing patterns to fill the spaces.  

I taught a similar lesson where students had complete freedom with colors, but decided to limit this project to a monochromatic color scheme to help encourage students to create more complex colors and to save time.  It's much faster to continue to alter colors instead of mixing completely new ones.

​To finish the pumpkins, students had the choice of painting black lines and/or using black oil pastel.  This helped my students to get those tiny details they drew.  I was surprised by how many students chose to use black paint for everything, and I was so impressed by their work!  I have stressed painting technique from early on with them and I think it is paying off!  How gorgeous are these pumpkins?

We had many orange pumpkins, but also beautiful blue, purple, green, and red ones.

Lovely colors on their test papers! Many students saved these because they were so proud of their colors.