Let’s make a spring watercolor tutorial to explore Holland’s beautiful tulips on its own or as part of a study on Holland. Also, look at my page 4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.
You could do your watercolor on any size paper you like.
But since we are using tulips as an activity for a Holland unit study, how fun would it be to create a series of postcards for different countries?
First, it is important to note that Holland has been used as the official name for the country of the Netherlands in the English language.
Holland is a region within the Netherlands, consisting of the provinces of North Holland and South Holland.
But you simply cannot learn about Holland without learning about the larger area around it, the Netherlands.
So, I have included plenty of fun activities that encompass the whole country.
Holland is a country known for its windmills and canals but also has a colorful secret- a sea of beautiful tulips that bloom every spring.
Let’s dive into the enchanting world of Dutch tulips.
ABOUT SPRING WATERCOLOR TUTORIAL
The climate and soil there are ideal for tulips. The cool, wet winters and mild springs provide the perfect balance for these beauties to thrive.
Tulips are spring bloomers, meaning they sleep underground during winter and wake up to show their colorful petals when the weather warms up.
Holland boasts vast tulip fields that become a breathtaking spectacle of color when they bloom. Take a look at some of these photos on Google.
The Dutch have been cultivating tulips for centuries and passing down their knowledge and expertise from one generation to the next.
In the spring Holland celebrates the tulip with…
- Keukenhof Gardens: This world-famous garden showcases millions of tulips and other flowers in a stunning display. It’s like a fairy tale come true!
- Tulip Festivals: The country hosts numerous tulip festivals where visitors can wander through fields of blooming tulips, take pictures, and learn about different varieties.
- Flower Parades: Colorful parades with floats adorned with thousands of tulips are a highlight of the festivities.
Then, look at some facts about tulips.
5 TULIP FACTS
- In the 17th century, tulips were so valuable in Holland that people traded them like money. This period is known as “Tulip Mania.”
- Tulips close their petals at night and open them again when the sun rises.
- While not the most delicious snack, tulip bulbs are edible. They were even eaten during times of food scarcity.
- Tulips grow from bulbs, these bulbs store food and energy for the tulip to grow.
- Tulips come in almost every color you can imagine: red, yellow, pink, purple, white, and even mixes like stripes and blends.
Then, look at these activities to learn about Holland.
HOLLAND ART, ACTIVITIES, AND RESOURCES
Make a Dutch Canal House in delft blue, these unique houses were designed in the 17th century and are iconic, they are narrow, high, and deep, and situated along a canal.
Grab a fun book like the ABC’s of Amsterdam to learn more about the Netherlands.
Learn about the tradition of Dutch wooden shoes and make a set from paper.
Younger children will enjoy crafting these simple Dixie Cup Windmills.
Delft Blue, also known as Delftware, is a type of Dutch tin-glazed earthenware pottery, primarily known for its blue and white designs. Paint a Monochromatic Delft-Inspired Plate as you learn more about the Netherlands.
Make a simple paper Dutch Hat,
Buy some Tulip Bulbs and try your hand at growing your own.
Finally, look at this fun spring watercolor tutorial.
HOW TO DO A TULIP SPRING WATERCOLOR TUTORIAL
You will need:
First, start by creating a border around the postcard by taping off the edges using a thin art tape (or washi tape).
I like to leave it a little longer on the corners to secure it to the table so it will not move around while painting.
Paint several egg shapes across the center of the page using a small rounded brush.
While the paint is still wet, paint another egg a shape on both sides of the first one, overlapping them right over the center to complete your tulip.
Repeat with the same color or paint a bunch of different colored tulips across the page.
Allow a few minutes for your flowers to dry and then paint on stems with a very small paintbrush.
And then long curving leaves to fill in the bottom area.
Use a small fluffy brush to dab on a couple of different shades of blue to create the sky, leaving some unpainted areas for clouds.
Allow to dry completely then remove the tape border.
To set your paint so that you can mail your postcard while protecting your art give it a light spray with watercolor fixative.
