LESSON PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS
VALUE
MOUNTAIN MAGIC
Lesson Objectives: To introduce the children to the element of Value and how it is used to show space and perspective.
Time Required: 1 hour
Artist: Thomas Cole, Last of the Mohicans, 1826 
Source: The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas, page 62
Materials:
- White 9×12 Watercolor paper
- Pencil
- Blue or Purple watercolor paints
- Watercolor brushes (medium to large)
Presentation:
Discuss how value is used to show space and perspective. Items closer to you are darker, then get lighter the farther away they get.
Procedure:
1. Using a pencil draw a series of lines to make layers of mountains. Have the mountains overlap each other.
2. Beginning with the top section (the sky) paint using lots of water and just a touch of paint. It should be your lightest hue on the paper.
3. Gradually add more paint and make each layer of mountain darker until you get to the closest mountain. This should be the darkest value.
Option:
- Using four half sheets of watercolor paper, paint each one a different value of blue or purple.
- Tear each sheet along the long edge to create mountains.
- Position and glue the strips in layers on a 9×12 white piece of paper with the lightest hue at the top and the darkest at the bottom.
