Fantasia Watercolor Lesson Plan:

Rainbows & Water Properties

GRADE LEVEL: K-4

OBJECTIVES
Learn color theory, shading and
blending
Discover the properties of water
and the effect water has on paint.
Materials
Cup of water
Sakura Fantasia watercolor tubes
Paper towels
Minimum 90-lb., medium grade
watercolor paper
Flat watercolor brush
Watercolor palette* or a plastic
plates/lids
*Tip: Invest in decent palettes for
reuse year after year.

Figure 2

Background
Watercolor paints combine art and science. This
medium can be used to explain color theory and
water properties. There are two activities that
demonstrate color theory; blending colors and
creating a rainbow and watching primary colors
combine to create secondary colors. The property
of water is observed with gradient paint washes.
Blending colors and gradient paint washes are
used in watercolor painting, and be combined to
experience the properties of water.
Art teachers, as well as students in foreign countries,
learn the basics of watercolor painting with tube
watercolors. The vivid color of tube-quality
watercolor paint captures students attention. The
struggle waiting for cake paints to absorb water and
clean-up mess is avoided. Fantasia watercolor paint
dries on plastic plates; water rejuvenates the paint, so
theres no wasted paint at clean-up time.
Color Theory: Color Blending & Creating a Rainbow
1) Pass out materials: plastic plate, water, paper and
brush.
2) Squirt a dime-size dab of each primary color: red,
yellow and blue onto each students plastic plate.
3) There are two activities that demonstrate color
theory; blending colors and creating a rainbow

and watching primary colors combine to create

secondary colors.
Color Blending ( Figure 1 )
Demonstrate or verbally guide the students to
combine primary colors: red, yellow and blue.
Combine these primary colors to make secondary
colors. The color that is left out of the mix is the
complementary color.
a. Mix red and yellow to make orange; the
complementary color is blue.
b. Mix red and blue to make purple, the
complementary color is yellow.
c. Mix yellow and blue to make green, the
complementary color is red.

Figure 1

Creating a Rainbow ( Figure 2 )

The students will make a rainbow and watch the colors bleed
together to form complementary colors. Students can share
their observations.
a. Dampen watercolor paper.
b. Paint the top arch of the rainbow using yellow.
c. Leave space between yellow and paint the next color blue.
The primary yellow and blue colors will bleed together to
make green.
d. Leaving space after the blue arch of the rainbow and paint
red. The blue and red colors bleed together to make purple.
e. Leaving space after the red arch of the rainbow, paint
yellow. The yellow and red colors bleed together to make
orange.
Water Properties and Watercolor Technique:
Gradient Wash ( Figure 3 )
Gradient wash demonstrates the effect of water
when combined with color pigment and a watercolor
technique.
1) Pass out materials; plastic plate, water, paper and brush.
2) Please dime-size dab of one paint color on each students
palette.
3) Place a line of pure pigment across the top of the paper.
4) Dampen brush with water, and pass the brush at the very
lower edge of the pigment line.
The water dilutes the pigment.
The variety of hues of a paint color is displayed as a
result of water being added.
5) Continue adding water to each new line of color The
pigment will continue to spread down the page until it is
diluted back to white.
VOCABULARY WORDS
Primary colors red, blue and yellow from which all other
colors can be blended.
Secondary colors violet, green, orange; created by mixing
primary colors in equal quantities.
Complimentary color pairs of colors that are of opposite
hue .
Pigment a substance that is added to paint or ink to give it
color.
Gradient wash diluting pigment with water to show the
various shades of the paint color.
Hue color
Value the relative lightness or darkness of a color
Dilute to make or become thinner or weaker by adding
water or another liquid.
Lesson plan courtesy of:
Sakura Color Products of America

Figure 3

NATIONAL STANDARDS
http://www.education-world.com/standards
NA-VA.K-4.1: Understanding and Applying
Media, Techniques, and Processes
Achievement Standard:
Students know the differences between
materials, techniques, and processes
Students describe how different
materials, techniques, and processes cause
different responses
Students use different media, techniques,
and processes to communicate ideas,
experiences, and stories
Students use art materials and tools in a
safe and responsible manner

Assistance provided by
Susan Tilten Pecora, watercolor artist.

800.776.6257
www.sakuraofamerica.com