Create the same painting with 2 Backgrounds

Paint the same picture twice using two different backgrounds and compare color, mood, and technique to learn how backgrounds change visual storytelling.

Painting45 min

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45 minHands-on fun

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About this activity

Paint the same picture twice using two different backgrounds and compare color, mood, and technique to learn how backgrounds change visual storytelling.

Step by step

1
Step 1
Gather all your materials and place them on a flat table so everything is easy to reach.
2
Step 2
Choose a simple subject to paint like a tree a cat a house or a sun.
3
Step 3
Lightly sketch the same image in the middle of both sheets using your pencil.
4
Step 4
Tape the edges of both sheets to the table so they do not move while you paint.
5
Step 5
Decide on the first background color and mix it on your palette.
6
Step 6
Paint the first background around the sketch on the first sheet using broad even strokes.
7
Step 7
Rinse your brush in the cup of water.
8
Step 8
Paint the subject on the first sheet using the colors and brush strokes you like.
9
Step 9
Decide on a different second background color and mix it on your palette to create a new mood.
10
Step 10
Paint the second background around the sketch on the second sheet using broad even strokes.

Fun facts

Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) tend to 'advance' toward the viewer while cool colors (blues, greens) 'recede' — a quick way to change depth.

Color can change mood: studies and artists use blue for calm scenes and red for energetic or intense moments.

Kandinsky believed colors have emotional powers — he wrote that yellow feels lively and blue feels spiritual or meditative.

Figure–ground tricks show how a background can flip what you see as the main subject or make details disappear.

Atmospheric perspective makes faraway objects bluer, lighter, and fuzzier — an easy technique to show distance in a background.

Step by step

Step 1

Gather all your materials and place them on a flat table so everything is easy to reach.

Step 2

Choose a simple subject to paint like a tree a cat a house or a sun.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the same image in the middle of both sheets using your pencil.

Step 4

Tape the edges of both sheets to the table so they do not move while you paint.

Step 5

Decide on the first background color and mix it on your palette.

Step 6

Paint the first background around the sketch on the first sheet using broad even strokes.

Step 7

Rinse your brush in the cup of water.

Step 8

Paint the subject on the first sheet using the colors and brush strokes you like.

Step 9

Decide on a different second background color and mix it on your palette to create a new mood.

Step 10

Paint the second background around the sketch on the second sheet using broad even strokes.

Fun facts

Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) tend to 'advance' toward the viewer while cool colors (blues, greens) 'recede' — a quick way to change depth.

Color can change mood: studies and artists use blue for calm scenes and red for energetic or intense moments.

Kandinsky believed colors have emotional powers — he wrote that yellow feels lively and blue feels spiritual or meditative.

Figure–ground tricks show how a background can flip what you see as the main subject or make details disappear.

Atmospheric perspective makes faraway objects bluer, lighter, and fuzzier — an easy technique to show distance in a background.

Create the same painting with 2 Backgrounds

About this activity

Step by step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Fun facts

Your first game is on us.

Create the same painting with 2 Backgrounds

About this activity

Step by step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Fun facts

Your first game is on us.