Artist of the Week: Claude Oscar Monet

Lived: 1840-1928

About the Artist Claude Oscar Monet was a famous French painter who is one of the founders of Impressionism. [Fun Fact: The term comes from the title of his painting Impression, Sunrise seen below.] Art of this style shows a “snapshot” of a moment- with a focus on the changing effects of light and color. These works of art focus on capturing an experience or a feeling. Since light changes quickly when painting outdoors, he had to paint very quickly. He is well known for panting outdoor scenes, especially water lilies. In fact, he painted a series (a group of pictures) that has approximately 250 oil paintings of them!

Impression, Sunrise at the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris, France

Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies, The MET 5th Avenue

Home Project: Observe and Create Art

Give your child a chance to observe the picture above. What does it remind them of? What do they think the arch is in the upper portion of the picture? What is below it? Notice how small some of the brush strokes are in this painting. This artist painted this location during different seasons of the year- which season do you think this one is? Why?

Create a Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies Inspired Painting Using Fingers [Remember: Creating art at this age is more process versus product. It is alright if your child’s picture looks different than you expect- this is their interpretation!]

You Will Need: • Paint: Offer at least 3 colors (green, yellow, and blue are good base-line colors), but you could include more if available. • Paper: You’ll want to go with a heavier-stock of paper. [Construction paper can work BUT can damage when removing the tape.] • Something to put paint on, like a plate. • A damp paper towel so your child can wipe your fingers in between colors, if needed. • Masking/painters tape (this will become the bridge)

Instructions:

• Prepare your project space. Gathering all your materials in advance makes for an easier art experience!

• Create your tape bridge. This part of the project can either be done by a parent or an older child. Use the tape to create a bridge across your paper. When the painting is done and has dried, the tape will be removed. This style of art is called a resist- the space under the tape will remain white, showing the shape of the bridge.

• After your bridge is on your paper, have your child use their fingertip(s) to paint the different sections of their painting. Older children may want to look at Monet’s painting to get an idea of where the different elements of the painting are (like the lily pads). Wiping fingers between colors with the paper towel may be helpful to those who do not want to blend colors as much. I found that I enjoyed using multiple finger tips at the same time.

Card stock (left) versus construction paper (right). • When the panting is complete, let it dry and remove the tape. Thinner papers may tear when removing the tape, so be aware when pulling it off.

Source Information: Who Is Claude Monet? – Who Are They? Tate -https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/who-is/who-claude-monet

Claude Monet Gallery- The Complete Works https://www.claudemonetgallery.org/