St. Patrick's Watercolor Lesson

Irish Blessing 

May the road rise up to meet you. 

May the wind always be at your back. 

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

and rains fall soft upon your fields. 

And until we meet again, 

May God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

Background: Sunday is St. Patrick's Day.  This lesson may be presented during any March day.  Combine an Irish saint biography with expert advice from picture book artist Carol Heyer, and this becomes one special activity.

Materials:  Thick watercolor paper, paint brushes. watercolors, water, paper towels, book(s) about saints, Patrick by Tomie dePaola, Youtube video or alternative watercolor sources that highlight Ireland.


          

Objective: To gain knowledge about St. Patrick by reading a saint biography, and to use watercolors for painting Ireland's landscape.

Procedure: "What do we know about St. Patrick of Ireland?  Was he born in Ireland?  Why is he considered the patron saint of Ireland."  Discuss.  Read "March 17th" in The One Year Book of Saints by Reverand Clifford Stevens or Saints for Young Readers, revised and edited by Susan Helen Wallace, fsp.  Patrick by Tomie dePaola is a beautiful children's biography. The following are main points regarding Saint Patrick:

• St. Patrick was not born to an Irish family.  He was born in Roman Britain.  In 410, when he was sixteen, Irish pirates pillaged and burned villages off the coast of Britain.  They took British, like Patrick, and made them their slaves back in their homeland.
• As he worked in the green fields of Ireland, St. Patrick constantly prayed to Jesus and Mary for protection and companionship.  Six years later he was brought to France; then returned to his home. 
• At home, Patrick could not forget pagan Ireland, and his spiritual life in the green hills as a worker.  
• After becoming a priest and bishop he returned to Ireland, "bringing the light of the Catholic faith to Ireland."  He converted kings, wrote and studied about the faith diligently, and founded churches.
• Although St. Patrick labored to bring the Catholic faith to the Irish, for many years he faced persecution.  Clergy criticised him for trying to convert the "Irish Barbarians," telling him that he was wasting his time.  Bad weather and hardships while he traveled nearly cost him his life.
• Legend has it that near the end of his life, St. Patrick went to the top of Mt. Aigili to pray for 40 days and nights.  He looked down on Ireland and blessed the Irish.  God told the Saints of Erin to come to the top of that mountain and continue blessing Ireland with faith, so that St. Patrick's mission would become worthwhile.  He has been Ireland's patron saint ever more.
• The power of one man and his holiness is depicted in the story of St. Patrick.

Students write two or three sentences to summarize the preceeding highlights.

Continue this lesson with an art project.  View this video of landscape turned to watercolor, or show other sources of gorgeous  Irish landscape in watercolors.

 

This video is from zippyc3, 2007.

Youtube address is http://youtu.be/Gl5sZdW_Ugo

The images are watercolors of photos taken in 2004.

After student's acquaint themselves with the landscapes that Saint Patrick roamed, show materials used for watercolors. 

Children's book illustrator, Carol Heyer was kind enough to share these enlightening watercolor tips for young artists:

"Lay out your sketch VERY lightly in pencil, the horizon line, hills etc.  Then, wet the sky area and while it's wet lay in blue for the sky.  In true watercolor, the artist uses the white of the paper, but if it's easier children can use white.  The sky is usually darker at the top and lighter at the horizon.  If you stand outside and look up, you'll see the dome of the sky is an amazing darker blue.  Let that area dry then brush in your hill or mountain colors.   The farther away an object is the bluer it appears.  This is called atmosphere. So make the hills in the back bluish purple.  

If you have a lake or river, lay it in on the darkish side and while the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt on top. Let it dry, and then brush it off.  This is a fun technique that makes the water look like it sparkles!  I love doing this.  If you have grass in the picture paint the background light green, let it dry and put layers of green on top to look like blades of grass, smaller in the back, larger and darker in the front.  

Remember with true watercolor you start out with light layers (with more water added to lighten it.), let the layers dry and gradually build up the darker areas with additional color.  Most of all, just have fun with this technique and paint!"

Allow plenty of time for this project to dry and for students to continue darker additions.

Evaluation:  Assess effort and appreciation only.  Did the student summarize important information regarding St. Patrick?  Did he show interest in the watercolor samples?  Did the student put effort into his or her painting?

Teacher Notes:  Special thanks to Carol.  Carol reminds us that children who try hard and spend time on their illustrations can accomplish as much as those with natural talent.  For more inforation about Carol go to www.carolheyer.com.  Have fun and God Bless the Irish.