Warm Fish in Cool Waters

Warm Fish in Cool Waters was a fun mixed media artwork. First we took a piece of 9 x 12 drawing paper and with a ruler drew lines on the paper both vertically and horizontally. Next we used the cool colors blue, green, and purple to color in the squares. We used watercolor and the rule was that no two colors could be side by side. The same color could meet at a corner, but not side by side. I let the students know that mistakes were just a change of plan and showed them my work to prove that I make mistakes too.

While these were drying we took a 6 x 9 piece of drawing paper and drew fish. It was important to make the fish as big as possible. As in “Something’s Fishy” I brought in reference material on fish for them to use.

Next, we took a mixture of 1/2glue and 1/2 water and brushed it on the back of the fish drawing. Then, 2” squares of red, yellow, and red tissues paper were quickly put on top of the glue.  The tissue paper was put on so no white of the paper showed through. The tissue paper was then covered with another coat of the glue water mixture. This was set aside to dry.

Finally, we turned the tissue paper around and cut out the fish we had drawn and glued it onto the watercolor background.  Extra pieces were used for seaweed and bubbles.

Some students did not get a chance to do the tissue paper step so they used warm colors of construction paper to make their fish. We enjoyed this project.  Here are some student thoughts.

Student Reflections

Ever since we started this art work called “Warm Fish in Cool Water” I was very excited about art class. My favorite part about art class is when we painted the papers for the back-ground. I also liked drawing the eel because it was fun, my first eel.

                                          --Megan

I like this project because it is art and I love art. And, I learned about warm fish in cool water.

                                          --Maribel

I learned about watercolors. I learned how to use watercolors. I learned how to draw a fish.

                                          --Richard

I liked this art project because it has 6 colors. I really want to do this again and show my family. If I do my second one I will show my other family members.

                                          --Naomi

I like the warm and cool colors because it makes my fish stand out and the cool water feels so fresh. When I see the fish I feel warm. When I see the water it feels so cold that I want to hide in my sheets.

                                          --Yanis

The project was fun because I learned about fish. I saw that a fish eats spiders. The project of the fish was great because you can practice art. I saw a fish that was ugly. I drew a fish that has the name is forcep fish.

                                          --Richard

This project was fun because it’s all about art for three reasons. First, this project was fantastic. Second, I loved all the colors because they’re really beautiful. Finally, everything was fun.

                                          --Jennifer

I really liked to make this art piece.  I had so much fun doing it that I hope to make one of these projects again soon!

                                          --Selena