1. DP 2: Unit 2 – Imitational Painting
Lesson: Watercolor Still Life
Project Objectives: make a watercolor painting with the following:
• Create a strong composition based on observing a still life with
personal objects
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of value through color
• Use color theory to correctly paint the objects and shadows of the
still life
• Correctly use appropriate watercolor techniques to complete the
still life
Project Materials: Tube watercolors; watercolor paper; brushes;
palette; nib pens with India ink
Main Project Directions:
1. Watercolor Technique Journal Assignment. Follow and complete the journal entries required on
the journal assignment handout.
2. Apple or pear minilab. Complete a small painting of a single apple or pear, focusing on creating
value and using color theory.
3. Creating a still life. Bring personal objects from home to create a group still life. These are objects
you can leave for a couple of weeks. Begin by making 3 thumbnails of the still life. Choose on
thumbnail and do a larger sketch so you can break down the values.
4. Stretch your paper. Tape your watercolor paper to drawing board. Tape it on all sides so there is
a nice border.
5. Recreate your viewpoint of the still life. Use color theory and value to help you recreate the still
life. Think about which watercolor techniques will be best for recreating your viewpoint.
20 points each**, 100 points total
Student Teacher
1. Did you correctly plan a strong composition? Did you take the time to
correctly draw all elements of the still life?
2. How well did you use value throughout the still life painting? Did you
correctly show a full range of 0-9 values in the painting?
3. Did you correctly use color theory to help create your still life? Is your color
mixing obvious or subtle? Did you create believable shadows that are not
only made with the color black?
4. Did you correctly and creatively use watercolor techniques you learned in
your watercolor journal assignment like washes, glazing, dropping color,
liftng, or grading?
5. How much effort went into the craftsmanship of the project? Did you make
sure the original drawing on the watercolor was light and eventually
disappeared? Did you take care to make sure your edges of the objects are
crisp where needed? Did you make a nice even border on your paper?
TOTAL
** 20-18=Advanced; 17-16=Proficient; 15-14=Emerging; 13-0=Unsatisfactory
Munson, 28 March 2010