Ish Painting / Initials Collage


Directions - Class #1

We will start by listening to the story of Ish by Peter Reynolds.


  • What is the message in this story?


  • Why might this message be important to talk about?

  • Does this message apply to other places, outside of art class?

Now we are going to make some Ish paintings.

Start by crumpling up a piece of paper...then we will add watercolors to it while it is still crumpled up.

While that dries, let's explore with watercolors and how to use them. Here are some watercolor techniques that we will try:


  • Dry (brush) on Dry (paper) - Paper is dry, paintbrush has watercolor paint on it, but not much water.

  • Wet (brush) on Dry (paper) - Paper is dry, paintbrush has lots of paint and water on it.

  • Dry (brush) on Wet (paper) - Paper is wet, brush has watercolor paint on it, but not much water.

  • Wet (brush) on Wet (paper) - Paper is wet, brush has lots of paint and water on it.

Let these experiments / creations dry!


Directions - Class #2

Looking at the painted paper that was created, think about these questions:


  • Why would an artist want to crumple up paper?

  • How is your paper different than other people's papers?

  • Why is important that everyone's papers look different?

  • What makes your paper unique?

  • What makes you unique?


With all this interesting paper you have created, it is time to collage! You will be collaging the first letter of your name! Start by drawing out your letter in block form.


Now you can cut or tear pieces of your amazing paper to fill in the letter. Glue down all of the pieces at the end!