Springtime Monet's Lily Pad and Frog Art Lesson
This page contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Everything on this page I have used and heartily recommend for teaching art.
Keep reading for more information about Claude Monet, videos and resources to teach about him, and an easy create from home art lesson for kids!
Ah Monet! This is one of my favorite artists, and I know I say that a lot, but I truly do love his art! Last June my husband and I were able to visit Giverny, France where Monet lived in his pink house. The house sits in a beautiful spot with all of the gardens, lily ponds and trees that Monet had planted to have his own outdoor studio. His most famous paintings were done here. We were also able to see those water lily paintings at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris as well. See the photos below of both these spots. If you ever get the chance to go to Paris go visit both of these places. Monet literally came alive to me as I wandered around the lily ponds and walked through his house.
See another great Monet lesson in my upcoming book (details at the end of this lesson)
Resources for teaching about Claude Monet
When I teach an art lesson, I like to first tell my students about the artist we are studying before we start the actual art part. I try to find great videos, images, and slideshows that have already been created and are easy to access to help educate my students. Here are a few resources for teaching your kids a little bit more about the artist we are studying in this lesson, Claude Monet!
Who is Claude Monet?
Claude Monet was a famous French painter whose work gave a name to the art movement Impressionism, which was concerned with capturing light and natural forms.
My favorite books on Monet:
Claude Monet- Getting to know the world's greatest artists
Love this series by Mike Venezia. I use these more than any other books for introducing artists to kids.
Where is the Frog?: A Children's Book Inspired by Claude Monet
This is a fun mystery about a frog in Monet’s garden.
Philippe in Monet's Garden
A cute story about Philippe the frog in Monet’s garden
Linnea in Monet's Garden
I love this book and the curious Linnea! There is even a Linnea doll that goes along with her books. Lots of good photos of Monet’s garden in this one.
- Here are a few YouTube videos about Claude Monet, including one of a girl reading from Linnea in Monet’s garden (above)
Here is a nice slideshow to sum it up!
Springtime Monet's Lily Pad and Frog How To:
Now that we have learned all about Claude Monet, lets move on to the art lesson!
- Cut the paper in ½. With the computer paper underneath, on one piece add dark blue short horizontal strokes on different parts of the paper and follow the same process with light blue, light green, dark green, and purple, overlapping a little of the previous color. Fill in remaining spaces with dark blue. Go over the entire paper with light blue strokes blending as you go. (clean off the oil pastels on your computer paper)
- On the other paper draw the frog, lily pad, and lily.
- Use short circular strokes to fill in the lily pad. Add some light blue in areas. Blend over the whole pad with white using short circular strokes.
- Add yellow around the frog eyes and on the belly. Go over with white on the belly.
- Fill in the frog body with dark green using short strokes (leave some paper showing through). Add light green on top, blending the two colors.
- For the lily fill in pink on the flower petals and yellow for the center.
- Add a little red, and purple. (don’t cover all the pink). Now blend over the whole flower with pink.
- Add orange to the yellow center, then blend with yellow again.
- Go over all the pencil lines with black oil pastel pressing hard (go slow) to get a nice black line.
- Using your finger rub over the top of the black line to gently smear. (Don’t go back and forth, just one time)
- Cut out all three pieces and glue down (using all-purpose glue), pressing firmly to hold in place. Lay a clean sheet of computer paper over your project and put under some books to help the glue to stick.
I'm writing a book!
I am excited to announce my latest project! My daughter and I are working on a big, beautiful, creatively designed book on artist related lessons (similar to the ones on this website but with more details, step by step instructions and photos). The book will be for anyone who wants concise, detailed, well laid out lessons that are ready to teach, in a format that is fun to look at as well.
Book InfoOther Lessons:
Recent Blog Posts:
The Doors of Italy
At the end of a 3 week vacation to Europe, I came away with so many pictures of things that captured my interest and the mood of the moment. I couldn’t get enough of all the time worn doors, especially those in Italy.
Making Reading Beautiful!
We painted Free Little Libraries! Does your city have a Little Free Library? These are little free standing libraries that have a “host” who looks after them and can be located in someone’s yard , out in the country, or in front of a business or in a park. You can take a book to read or leave one for someone else to find.
My Beautiful Tuscan Kitchen
This year marks the two year anniversary of our kitchen remodel! My wonderful cabinet maker husband finally got around to making this custom kitchen for our home and I couldn’t be happier!
My Bag of Tricks!
This is what is in my art bag! I love messing around with new supplies so this changes often, but I always go for things that are light and easy so I can take them anywhere!
Kindness Rocks Art Idea
These kindness rocks are a great way to spread some happiness – leave them on your favorite walk, or share them with someone to brighten their day!
Ten Lists of 10 Interesting Art Facts
Day 10 of Top Ten for the Next Ten – This is the last list so I decided to do a list of lists! Ten great and interesting lists of art facts!
