Title:
Watercolor Water Lilies
Recommended Grade Level:
 Third through Sixth
Materials needed:
Faber-Castell Watercolor Connector Paints
Faber-Castell GRIP Watercolor Eco Pencils
Faber-Castell Triangular Paintbrushes
Large Sheet of White Watercolor Paper
Pencil
Small Cup of Water
Visual of Water Lilies for Reference
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
 Use value in working with watercolors to simulate natural light and
shading.
 Work with a photographic visual reference to create a detailed
depiction in watercolor.
National Visual Arts Standards Addressed (K-4 and 5-8):
Content Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and
processes.
Content Standard 2: Using knowledge of structures and functions.
Content Standard 6: Making connections between visual arts and other
disciplines.
National Science Standards Addressed (K-4 and 5-8):
Content Standard C: Life Science
Introduction:
 Introduce master artists who have worked in watercolor and discuss
the potential this artistic medium brings for vibrant colors.
 Describe the process of adding value to watercolor by varying the
amount of water used for saturation.
 Discuss light source in art and encourage students to look carefully
at the effects of light and shadow in their given photo. Note that
water lilies provide a unique opportunity to work with a variety of
colors with a look that can change significantly as light reflects in a
variety of ways on water throughout the day and with changes in
weather.
Time Required:
Four class periods of 45 minutes each
Vocabulary:
Value
Saturation
Brushstroke
Procedure:
1.) Begin by sketching the basic outine of the water lilies and background
with a pencil, then lightly sketch in the details of the flower petals, lily pads,
and any features reflected in the surrounding water.
2.) On a separate sheet of watercolor paper, create a color value reference
page by placing brushstrokes of the various colors that will be used in the
palette on the paper using different amounts of water and paint. Using
more water will dilute the paint for a lighter value, whereas adding paint to
the mixture will yield a darker value. Once students have a feel for how to
create the various values needed for the given shades in their image, use
varying sizes of Faber-Castell Triangular Paintbrushes to begin painting
the details of the lilies, working with darker shades and then lightening the
value to accent for highlights. Students can create fine details using
Faber-Castell GRIP Watercolor Eco Pencils and then brushing with water
to dilute colors.
3.) Working from the lighter values of the water lilies, students should then
paint the details of the green lily pads, paying careful attention to the
placement of natural light on each leaf. Then, with the lily petals and lily
pads complete, complete the background of the image by coloring the
surrounding water. Set aside to dry and then mat with a color that
complements the overall tone of the painting.
Connections:
 Explore the work of master artist Claude Monet and his countless
water lily paintings and talk about his use of light in his paintings to
create the “impression” of the image. Note how, even with the same
subjects painted over a number of years, the images changed
dramatically over time and in different light settings.
 Have students photograph their own element of nature, such as a
plant or flower, and create a watercolor painting that captures the
values of colors in the photograph.
Suggested Books:
 Bedient, Shirley. Watercolor: Flowers: Special Effects. Irvine:
Walter Foster Publishing, 1997.
 Collins, Julie. Painting Flowers with Impact in Watercolor
Cincinnati: David & Charles, 2007.
Suggested Websites:
Painting Ideas and Techniques:
http://www.painting-ideas-and-techniques.com/watercolor-techniques.html
Yong Chen Watercolor Lessons:
http://www.yongchen.com/index_learning.html
Karen Nobel, September 2011