Art Class, Level 2: Mermaid From Denmark

Product Description

Learn to use color and details to make one element of a picture stand out from the rest.
People around the globe, from ancient times to the present, have been telling stories about mermaids:

• Columbus reported seeing them on his voyages.
• Welsh people tell about mermaids who cause trouble.
• The Chinese say that when mermaids cry, their tears turn to pearls.

However, the most famous mermaid story is probably the one told by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Little Mermaid.” The fame of that story inspired a statue in the Copenhagen harbor, and even a special Danish coin. Our lesson on mermaids is based on the Danish coin. Its simple design is easy to draw, and the fact that the mermaid is facing away from us removes any worry about what she might be wearing!

Students will draw the mermaid and create a simple background (the coin includes some helpful suggestions for what to put in the background). After that, students will:

• Outline the mermaid with black glue (a simple recipe is included!)
• Learn to use color and details to make the mermaid the focus of the picture, and
• Use what they have learned to paint the mermaid with oil pastels and watercolors.

This lesson includes both POWERPOINT and VIDEO versions of the lesson plus 2 downloadable printouts: a warmup and a drawing of the mermaid.

Approximate Time to Complete the Art Class:

• Drawing the picture: 20 minutes
• Making and applying black glue: 25 minutes + 1 hour to let it dry
• Using watercolors and oil pastels to color the picture: 30-45 minutes
• Total time: 75-90 minutes

Families will have access to the online lesson for one year from the date of purchase.