Description/Objective
Using drafting tape, students create a geometric pattern on the paper. The shapes are filled in with watercolor. Students begin to understand the concept of transparency in watercolor.
Time
1 hour to 1.5 hours
Materials
3/4" drafting tape (4 to 6 rolls, for group of 15-20 students)
8-1/2" x 11" white exact vellum bristol or 11" x 14" white kid surface vellum bristol or 9" x 12" cold press watercolor paper
Large trays (1 per group of 2-4 students)
Watercolor paints (8 or 16 color Prang or Crayola brand best) (2-3 students can share 1 set)
#7 watercolor brushes (1 per student)
Large water containers (8 oz. or larger, one per group)
Small water containers or baby food jars (one per group)
Rectangular kitchen sponges (1 per tray)
Hairdryer
Procedure
1. Explain the difference between masking tape and drafting tape. Drafting tape looks just like masking tape but is less tacky and can be removed without tearing the paper. (Drafting tape is more expensive than masking tape.)
2. Have the students make a border around their paper with drafting tape. Tape should not hang over the edge of the paper.
3. Demonstrate various ways of working with the tape by moving it around above the paper until the desired design is achieved. Press the tape onto the paper, making sure to get all the edges down. (Paint will bleed under buckled edges.) Keep adding more strips of tape until the design is complete.
4. Give each group of students a tray with a watercolor set, a large container of water, a small jar of water, a sponge, and paint brushes. Demonstrate how to clean the brush by calling the large water container "the washing machine" and calling the sponge "the dryer". Clean and dry the brush well after using each color. Use the clear water in the jar for mixing paint. Using these techniques, students paint their geometric shapes.
5. The painting will be successful with only one layer done at a time; however, the process can be repeated after the first layer dries. For fast drying, the paint can then be dried with a hair dryer. When paint is dry, remove the interior tape, leaving the edge tape on the paper.
6. Do another layer of tape and repeat the process if desired.
Subject Matter Integration
1. Study contemporary watercolor artists. Discuss other water media techniques including wet on wet. "Wet on wet" is a procedure where water is brushed on the paper first and watercolor paint is added.
2. Math - study geometric shapes and angles: triangles (isosceles, equilateral), rectangles, squares, etc.
Variations/Extensions
1. Drafting tape is excellent in creating a border on any piece of art work because it gives a finished look to the completed piece.
2. Use repositionable contact paper or low tack plastic book cover paper to cut out large shapes. Hearts, butterflies, birds, houses and cats work well. Press these shapes firmly on the paper. Paint negative space with watercolors, dry with hair dryer. Remove shape and paint inside it or leave white.
3. Create work as explained above for background and paint with acrylic paint an additional design.