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Final product Secondary version

Watercolor Weaving

Painting Project

Students will explore the techniques of watercolor painting, cutting, and weaving to create artwork inspired by the work of Nancy Neaher Maas.

Students will explore the techniques of watercolor painting, cutting, and weaving to create artwork inspired by the work of Nancy Neaher Maas.

Two variations of this project are included, indicated by ‘Primary’ and ‘Secondary’ labels.

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Dixon Ticonderoga Materials:

  • Prang® Watercolors
    • Prang® Color Wheel Watercolors 8 ct., X00820
      OR
    • Prang® Oval 8 Watercolors 8 ct., X00800
  • Ticonderoga #2 Pencils 12 ct., X13882
  • Prang® Paintbrush Set 5 ct., X94005
  • Prang® Stable Water Pots 6 ct., X94010
  • Prang® Watercolor Pad 9” x 12”, 30 sheets, P2367

Other Materials:

  • Scissors
  • Rulers

Step One

Introduction to Watercolor

  • Introduce Nancy Neaher Maas and her artistic style focused on color and texture.
  • Show visual examples of her work.

Discuss the importance of color theory and the role of watercolors in creating artwork.

Demonstrate how to use Prang Watercolors, including color mixing, brush techniques (wet-on-wet, dry brush), and layering colors.

Allow students to practice these techniques on their watercolor paper, encouraging them to create a variety of textures and patterns.

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Step Two

Creative Painting

Primary Version: Students will paint one sheet of watercolor paper with warm colors and the other with cool color watercolors.

Secondary Version: Students will tape a 4” x 3” piece of watercolor paper to a sheet of 6” x 9” watercolor paper. Students will paint a landscape on the larger sheet of paper and extend it to the smaller sheet of paper.

Step Three

Weaving Preparation

Explain the basics of weaving and itshistorical significance in art.

Show examples of woven pieces, including how color and design are incorporated.

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Step Four

Cutting Paper for Weaving

Primary Version: Instruct students to cut their warm or cool dried watercolor papers into strips (about 1 inch wide) using scissors, pencil and ruler. Emphasize maintaining consistency in strip width to help the weaving process.

Secondary Version: Instruct students to cut the smaller sheet of painted paper into 1” strip

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Step Five

Cutting Paper to Create Weaving Weft

Primary Version: Instruct students to fold the second sheet of painted paper in half. On the back of the paper measure and draw a line 1” from the side opposite of the fold. Cut lines perpendicular to the drawn line at 1” intervals. (Do not cut over the line). This creates the weaving weft.

Secondary Version: Draw horizontal lines 1” apart on the back of the larger piece of painted paper from the far-right side to the middle. Cut the lines with scissors. This creates the weaving weft.

Step 6 Primary Version

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Step Six

Weaving the Paper

Primary Version: Instruct students on how to start the weaving process, guiding them to interlace their paper strips using the over and under method. Start the next strip under then over. Repeat the process until all strips are used.

Secondary Version: Instruct students to turn their weaving strips upside down. Weave the first strip starting over then under until it reaches the center. Weave the second strip under then over. Repeat until the strips are all used or the space is filled.

Step Seven

Reflection

Once weaving is complete, allow students to discuss their pieces and the choices they made in terms of color and design.

Step Eight

Assessment

Evaluate students based on creativity, use of color, and their ability to integrate weaving techniques into their artwork. Consider a rubric that includes sections for:

  • Originality
  • Technique
  • Effort and participation
  • Reflection on process and result

About Nancy Neaher Maas

Nancy Neaher Maas, a contemporary artist with studios in Texas and Michigan, is best known for her collaged watercolor weaving technique.

While living in upstate New York, she enjoyed painting the plants found in her backyard. However, she found the pictures lacked energy. So, she started cutting up the watercolors she had done and weaving them together, giving them much more energy and movement. Maas continued to develop this technique for the next 20 years.

Maas continues to paint today, cutting her watercolors intuitively and reassembling them for an energetic effect. She also works as an art historian, specializing in the arts of Africa.

“Giving expression to movement and rhythm seems to be a logical consequence of this ex- change. Whether it’s a watercolor weaving, a collage, or a traditional painting, I can’t resist the desire to visualize the energy implicit in a chosen subject.” - Nancy Neaher Maas

For more information and to view Maas’ work, visit https://nmaas.com/

National Core Arts Standards

VA:Cr1.1.3 - Generate and conceptualize artistic endeavors.

VA:Cr2.2.3 - Demonstrate an understanding of the safe and effective use of materials, tools and techniques.

VA:Pr4.1.3 - Analyze and interpret works of art.

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