1. Set up your work space with some paper (the bigger the better), paints, brushes, palette knives, other implements (such as corks, Q-tips, you could have your kids decide what to use too), water and a cloth or towel to wipe brushes. You may want to include a tablecloth and aprons if that suits you.
2. The first and best way to get kids inspired to make art like another artist is to show them the artist’s work! So either print out, or have a bunch of Alma Thomas’ paintings lined up to show on your computer or device. (Honestly the easiest way to do this is an image search on your favourite search engine – give Ecosia a try!)
3. Talk to your kids about Alma Thomas and her techniques, affinity with nature and her use of colours, abstracted patterns, and mark making to create her work.
4. Ask you children if there are any of Alma Thomas’ paintings that they particularly like – engage in a discussion about why and what they like.
5. Next, ask your kids if there is something in nature they really like, or even better, go outside in your garden, or out for a walk somewhere. Spend some time with whatever you children choose to look at, whether it’s a photograph or something real.
6. Ask them to think, write or talk about why they feel connected to the landscape or natural entity. Encourage them to study the colours, shapes, patterns, textures and, most importantly, the feelings they have when they look at it.
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