Van Gogh Inspired Collages

This project was based off of the artist Vincent Van Gogh. One of his most famous paintings, Starry Night, was displayed in the classroom and the elements were discussed as a class. We talked about background, foreground, colors, contrast, and shapes. After discussing the painting we made our own interpretation using tissue paper and construction paper. First, you pick out construction paper to be the background, preferably a dark color, and then choose different color combinations of tissue paper. Next, you cut or carefully tear the tissue paper into the desired shape and size. To stick the tissue paper to the construction paper we used a glue based paste, we used our paint brushes to apply the glue. When the skyline was completed with tissue paper and glue, we then took oil pastels to overlay different shapes. Finally, to complete the activity you decide on a landscape. It could be a city or farm, whatever is desired, then you cut it out using black construction paper, layering it to give depth.
This was a very fun and interesting project that I had never completed before. An extension activity idea for this would be to have students portray a life scene. Instead of using outlines, use color to tell a story of everyday life.