Negative Space Painting: Monstera Leaf

Last project of the year I managed to squeeze in, I don't know how!  This is a brilliant project from 

Art Room Britt that uses up the painted paper placemats we use all year to protect our tables. 

I use 12 x 18" construction paper. By the end of the year, they're all textured and cool looking.

I actually have a huge monstera in my classroom. It's my own plant from home but it got too big so I brought it into my classroom. So I was able to use that to really show the kids the leaves. 

I did this project with a whole bunch of students: Grades 4,5,6,7,8 and 9!!

First they practiced drawing a monstera leaf cutting in a glass of water.

Then they sketched it onto the paper placemat. Use a dark pencil so it actually shows up.

Then paint the background, or negative space around it, with white acrylic. 

We definitely needed two layers of paint with my student grade acrylic. 

Once dry, they outlined it all with coloured pencils in a dark tone like navy blue or dark purple.

Not everyone managed to finish but some did!