Early Childhood

The Essential Question
How can color help us create a landscape with depth?

Objective
Students will create a simple representation of mountains using the lighter colors for distant peaks and darker color for closer peaks, demonstrating a basic understanding of atmospheric perspective.

Materials
12 x 18" (30 x 46 cm) construction paper in three different tones/values (e.g., light blue, blue, dark blue), glue, scissors, 12 x 18" white sulphite paper, optional: crayons and texture plates

Procedures

1. Show examples of atmospheric perspective and landscape artwork. Discuss the colors in the artworks and how they change from the foreground to the background. (Objects appear lighter as they recede into the distance.)
2. Introduce the concept of “value.” Show examples of light and dark colors and explain how value is used to create depth.
3. Demonstrate using scissors to create zig-zag cuts to represent mountain ranges. Students should make horizontal zig-zag cuts through three pieces of construction paper in different values (light, medium, and dark).
4. Allow time for students to cut, assemble, and glue their mountains.

Mary Mercurio is an art teacher at Onondaga Nation School in Syracuse, New York.