Dot Day Concentric Circles
Celebrate International Dot Day with this concentric circle painting project developed by Cassie Stephens.
Many artist use concentric circles in their work. Take a look at the artists Alma Thomas and Wassily Kandinkshy for inspiration. Students will enjoy examining and talking about their work before starting on their own.
Teacher Tip: Did you know that Prang watercolor paints are completely customizable? That's right! You can purchase empty watercolor trays to create palettes for your students. In this lesson, students use an all warm palette one day and a cool palette the next. Or try introducing them to a rainbow palette!
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Dixon Ticonderoga Materials:
- Prang® Mixed Media Circles, 200 sheets, 9" diameter, P4822
- Prang® Oval Watercolors, X16000
- Prang® Paint Brushes, 4 count, X94006
- Prang® Stable Water Pots, 6 count, X94007
- Prang® Markers, 12 count, X80012
Other Materials:
- Dot stickers
- Water
Step One
After reading the book The Dot, let your students know that today they will be receiving their own paper dot to paint in the concentric circles. What are concentric circles? They are ones that repeat around one another, much like a target.
Step Two
To begin your concentric circles, you'll place dots on your dot! Using dot stickers, place about 4-5 dots on your paper. Be sure and space them apart.
Step Three
Using the flat Prang paintbrush, paint around one or more of your dot stickers. If students are using a limited palette of paint which will help prevent muddied watercolors, they may only be using the warm colors for the beginning of this lesson. Students can ‘grow’ their circles by cleaning their brushes and going around their circles with a new color.
Step Four
Encourage the colors to touch as they are applied. But be prepared for students to be amazed when they see colors mixing!
Step Five
Once students are half way through painting, have them venture on a Gallery Walk to examine one another’ work.
Step Six
The following art class, introduce students to a cool color palette. Remind them of the steps to creating concentric circles. Allow them to finish their masterpiece.
Teacher Tip: Did the papers curl when they dried? Try ironing them! Flip artwork over and iron on a light setting. Pick up an inexpensive iron the next time you are at the thrift store. Or simply place works of art under a stack of heavy books for the night!
Alternative Lesson Idea
Step One
Have students place dots on their dot the same way as the watercolor lesson.
Step Two
Now, instead of painting around their dots, have them color around the dots with markers. It would be best to do this in ROY G BIV order for a beautiful color mixing effect
Step Three
Once complete, just add water! With a paintbrush and water, have students paint around the maker. Notice how the marker turns into a vibrant paint!
Step Four
Before dots dry, try adding a sprinkle of table salt. Allow this to dry on the artwork. It adds a beautiful snowflake effect!