INSPIRED BY MAUD LEWIS – Canadian Folk Artist

Students examine the paintings of Maud Lewis and use her technique to create a painting of their own.

Supplies:

Tape all 4 sides the paper to a plastic placemat.
Make sure the tape is straight and runs parallel to the outer edges of the paper.

Fold a piece of construction paper into quarters.
Practice Maud Lewis brushstrokes while your painting dries.
In box #1
- short, flat strokes with lots of pressure
- short, flat strokes with medium pressure
- short, flat strokes with light pressure
In box #2
- dab small dots of white paint with the tip of the brush and short, springy brushstrokes
- dab pink paint into the white dots with the tip of the brush and short, springy brushstrokes
In box #3
- use a short, flat brushstroke for one half a tulip
- repeat the brushstroke for the other half
- add short, flat strokes with medium pressure for stems and leaves
In box #4
- paint a large flat circle with cat ears
- use short, light brushstrokes around the edges to make it appear fluffy

Choose the colour of cat that you want to paint.
Paint a large, flat oval for the cat body.
Add a small, flat rectangle for the tail.
Paint a round, flat circle for the head and add the cat ears.
Fill in some of the space between the head and the body.
Use short, light brushstrokes around the outer edges of the cat to make it look fluffy.

Dab small dots of white paint with the tip of the brush and short, springy brushstrokes to make the apple blossoms.
Dab pink dots with the tip of the brush and short, springy brushstrokes into the white dots while the white paint is still wet.
Add short, flat brushstrokes with medium pressure to make the leaves around the apple blossoms.

Add the final details on the face.
Remember to add short, light brushstrokes to the inside of the ears to make them look fluffy.
When you are happy with everything, gently remove the tape.