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FACT FILE: Fishy facts

  

·          Around 14,000 species of fish live in the ocean.

·          The warmest parts of the ocean are around shallow waters and coral reefs,

·          Bright colours can protect a fish by making them look poisonous to a predator.

·          Many fish have fantastic names, e.g. ‘gobies’ and ‘sticklebacks’.

·          Fish breath by taking oxygen out of water as it passes through their gills.

 
 
 

LESSON PLAN

 

 ·        Students too colour and paint their own Fabulous Fish, with an ocean background, using Watercolour Pencils and the techniques shown below.  Photocopy & enlarge fish outlines from A5 to A4 or larger (see over).  Students then choose one or more to trace on to watercolour paper.

·          Demonstrate how to do the background before students begin colouring their own.

-          Shade areas of the background with blue and green colours.  Show how to hold the pencil low to the page, this avoids denting the surface of the paper.

-          Use a dampened cotton wool ball (squeeze out excess water) and rub over background, avoiding the fish, to create a wash.

·         When backgrounds are complete, demonstrate how to colour the fish.  Show how much colour to apply so that time isn’t wasted with ‘perfect’ colouring in, and how to mix shades. (Refer to Tips & Techniques below).  Completely colour fish before the ‘painting’ stage.

·          Before painting, demonstrate how to rid the brush of excess water, how to best hold the brush, and explain to rinse brush between colours to avoid unwanted mixing.

      Once the painting is dry, you may wish to line in some areas with the Watercolour Pencils, e.g. small details such as the eye.  Finish with the special ‘watery’ effect.

  

Student Outcomes

 

·          Was the student able to create a sea background wash using the watercolour pencils.

·          Did the student use the brush appropriate to their skill and age level.

·          Did the student utilize one or more of the techniques demonstrated on their ‘Fabulous Fish’.

 

Resources Checklist

 

 

From Faber-Castell:

  •  Watercolour Pencils Art Box 20 each of 15 shades or Watercolour Pencils Pack 24
  •  Goldfaber 2B Pencils Box of 20 or Grip 2B per unit
  •  Pencil Eraser, large with sleeve
  •  Nylon/Prolon Brushes (included in the Art Box)
 

Others:

  • Watercolour paper A3
  • Pictures of Reef Fish for colour inspiration
  • Cotton Wool Balls, water containers and water
  • Windows to trace against
  • Acces to a photocopier
 
 

 

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

 

 

  • Hold pencil low to the page for easy shading. Faber-Castell quality pencils give easy colour coverage.
  • A little colour goes a long way.  Rather than colouring in, shade the area you wish to colour as below.
  • Encourage students to tap brush on the edge of water container to remove excess water before painting.  Too much water can be a problem.  If a ‘flood’ occurs on the page, use a tissue or cotton ball to absorb excess, then allow to dry and reapply colour.
  • Watercolour Pencil colours mix easily when wet.  Simply apply two different colours and merge/ blend with brush. Easy colour mixes are; yellow to orange, orange to red, red to purple, purple to blue, blue to green, green to yellow!
  • A special ‘watery’ effect can be achieved by using a dark blue watercolour pencil heavily on a scrap piece of paper, wet the brush & without tapping paint the colour.  This loads the brush with ‘paint’  that can then be splattered over the finished picture.
  • Try our "Wet" techniques for older students.

  • The Watercolour applies thickly and easily to wet paper.  Ideal for spots and fun effects.
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    16-115941 Box 300

    20 FREE Brushes included