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 light colors for distant peaks and dark colors 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
  
  

Step 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.)

Step 2
Introduce the concept of “value.” Show examples of light and dark colors and explain how value is used to create depth.

Step 3
Demonstrate using scissors to create zigzag cuts to represent mountain ranges. Students should make horizontal zigzag cuts through three pieces of construction paper in different values (light, medium, and dark).

Step 4
Allow time for students to cut, assemble, and glue their mountains.

Assessment
Did students use light and dark colors make the mountains look close and farther away?

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