Ms. Amsler's Artroom

Glimpsing Galaxies

This project produced “out of this world” results! (OK, Bad pun, I know!) We began this lesson with 3 days of Galaxy Painting using watercolors.

The techniques I taught the kids were loosely titled “Twilight”, “Nebula” and “Milky Way” and were based off THIS VIDEO.

I created my own 4-6 minute videos on several of the techniques showcased in the above link. I generally start with “Twilight”, (the easiest of the three techniques,) followed by “Nebula” on day 2, and “Milky Way” on day 3. Each day, the kids come in and set up their work space, watch the video, then proceed to make TWO of the technique showcased for the day.

Here are links to my videos— pardon the very non-professional presentation! 🙂

Ms. Amsler’s TWILIGHT TUTORIAL

Ms. Amsler’s NEBULA TUTORIAL

Ms. Amsler’s MILKY WAY TUTORIAL

On the fourth day, students rotated through a “star station” where they used white ink to create a splattered star effect on all six paintings. Thinned out white tempera can also work for this step, but regardless: designate a space in your class for this—it’s messy!

Ms. Amsler’s STAR SPLATTERING TUTORIAL

IMPORTANT NOTE about Watercolor Paper: Depending on the type and quality of watercolor paper you use, you may experience curling and warping when you start painting. You will notice in my videos, each painting begins with me wetting the table and adhering the dry paper to the workspace. With the new Strathmore Watercolor paper I bought this year, I found that full submersion in a tray of water, or wetting it front AND back under the faucet prior to painting, was most effective. You’ll need to experiment with what you have on hand to figure out what works best!

Here are some thumbnails of completed Galaxy Paintings

Once our paintings were complete, we started working on the Wall Drawing. Students chose their favorite painting to showcase through an illusion-like opening in their paper and decided on a vertical or horizontal format before drawing. We had recently completed a fun One Point Perspective drawing and those skills were utilized when it came to creating the 3D illusion of a breaking wall.

I created printed packets that helped the kids though each step of this wall drawing.  Detailed instructions take time to put together but increase student autonomy while decreasing their need to move around the room! If you teach five sections daily of the same grade level like me, it’s worth the time and effort: The packet helps the students work through the steps at their own pace and frees me up to troubleshoot or assist the more needy learners.

Here is a Downloadable PDF of my Instruction Packet:

Clip Art is an optional and fun way to add some depth and dimension to your galaxy paintings. I don’t require this, but have it as an option for students who want it. Careful cutting and good craftsmanship is encouraged. Here are some Clip Art Files of Planets, aliens, UFO’s Galaxies, etc. for collage:

Here are some pictures of students working on various stages of the lesson:

During the Pandemic, Students had to work at individual desks! Here they are Set-up for efficient painting, watching the Nebula Tutorial:

Students in the “Star Station”:

Some finished Galaxy Paintings, (Pre-stars!)—beautiful on their own.

Working on the Wall Drawing, Including adding Collaged Planets and Moons to the final piece:

Beautiful Galaxies!

You might be thinking: what did we do with the remaining five galaxy paintings??? We cut them up and made “Explosion Books”!

Find out how to make Explosion Books HERE!