Nevelson – PVAC :: Palos Verdes Art Center

Go Fish

Created by Robin Kiss

February 2025

“I wouldn’t mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.”

Henri Matisse

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

With varied watercolor techniques that includes saturating color by layering washes, students will recreate Matisse’s Fauve painting The Goldfish . Using Sharpie markers, they will draw the vase and fish on the transparency film. By placing the transparency film on top of the watercolor painting, students will introduce the illusion of depth by gently pushing on the transparency from both sides.

OBJECTIVES

1. Use different kinds of lines and geometric shapes to create a drawing.

2. Learn watercolor technique.

3. Understand how color can change.

4. Create the illusion of depth.

SUPPLIES (Per student)

● one (1) Watercolor paper 9” X 12”

● one (1) Transparency 8 1⁄2” x 11”

● 2 foam dots dual-adhesive 0.31 in.

● watercolor palette

● Large round watercolor paintbrush (size 10 or larger)

● one-two (1-2) Small containers to hold water (1 for both black & color or 2 to separate).

● Paper towel: 1 full sheet per student and 1 small piece

● two (2) Sharpie fine point markers: black and red

● one (1) 2 inch vinyl covered jumbo paper clip

● one (1) Richeson Black Art Paper 9” X 12”

● #2 Pencil with eraser

● Shape worksheet (TK-2)

● AAYF program label

SUPPLIES (Shared by 2 students)

● The Goldfish ● Drawing/Painting Guide ● Glue stick

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES (Needed for docents only)

● Alcohol wipes

ART VOCABULARY

Elements of Art – are stylistic features/ building blocks used to make a work of art. The seven elements include line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color.

Color – Element of Art. The visual perception of color depends on the reflection or absorption of light spectrum from a given surface. The three characteristics of color are hue, value, and intensity.

Intensity – Also called chroma or saturation. It refers to the brightness of a color (a color is full in intensity only when pure and unmixed). Color intensity can be changed by adding black, white, gray, or an opposite color on the color wheel.

Line – Element of Art. A point moving in space. Line may vary in width, length, curvature, color, or direction.

Shape – Element of Art. A two-dimensional area or plane that may be open or closed, free-form or geometric. May be found in nature or made by humans.

Visual Balance – Principle of Art. The way in which the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of equilibrium in artwork. The three types of balance are symmetry, asymmetry, and radial.

Watercolor – Transparent pigment mixable with water. Paintings done with this medium are known as watercolors.