Here is a lesson I use to teach my Grade 7-9 students how to use watercolour pencils. The goal is to learn how to control the amount of water in order to create a smooth watercolour gradient within a maple leaf drawing.
The maple leaf is instantly recognized as the symbol of modern Canada. The maple tree with its vibrant autumn colours has always been a prominent feature of the landscape in the eastern parts of Canada. The Indigenous peoples living in these areas valued the maple tree for its sweet sap (maple syrup!) and the goods derived from it. While this remarkable tree made a distinct impression on early settlers, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the maple leaf itself emerged as a symbol of national identity. From that time onwards, the leaf appeared more and more frequently, becoming the well-loved symbol of Canada it is today.
Students started by drawing a naturalistic rendition of a maple leaf. They used their laptops to look at images online. Where we live, in Western Canada, there are not many maple trees. They prefer the climate out east!
Once drawn, they used rulers to 'fracture' the leaf into smaller sections.
The, on the outside of the leaf, they practiced creating gradients using watercolour pencils. Once they feel confident, they start on their leaf. The needed to use a minimum of three colours.
Once dry, they are cut out. Some Grade 7-9 finished artworks:
