Cardinals in Winter Art Lesson

I believe this idea originated from the fabulous Painted Paper Flicker Stream, although it may have come from a link. I'm terrible at organizing my bookmarks, so I apologize to the creator of this beautiful lesson. My second and third graders did this lesson, but it would be appropriate for fourth grade as well. It's very easy considering how stunning it is. I didn't create a handout for this lesson because you really don't need one; just a quick demonstration on the whiteboard is enough to get the kids drawing.

Supplies:

• 12" x 18" white paper
• Blue metallic tempera paint (Michael's craft store will have this paint)
• Pencil
• Black, red, yellow and white tempera paint
• Q-tips for snow

This is the picture I used sourced from the internet as an example of a cardinal. Explain however, that it's not necessary to draw the entire body, just the head and neck area.
After drawing the bird in pencil (yes, pencil! No eraser though), draw branches and lines for twigs. Set out the metallic blue paint and paint the background first.
After painting the blue background, paint the red cardinal, then the yellow beak, brown twigs and then finally, the black mask and outline. Final step: snowflakes using a q-tip dipped in white paint.
Second and Third Grade Results!