I have an easy Van Gogh art craft for you today. This fun Starry Night craft is not only creative but gets your child excited to learn about famous artists. And look at my page Free Art Unit & Curriculum Grades 1 – 8 for more ideas
Did I mention it’s low mess and requires just a few ingredients?
And the lesson is based on one of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings in the world, Starry Night.
And using a plastic fork is a fun twist on art. Kids can drag their forks through painting to create the swirls and follow the textured pattern.
Too, you can teach art history in a fun way. For example, kids can learn how Van Gogh used movement and color to express emotion. They are gently introduced to art history.
And your child doesn’t have to follow exactly the craft I have below.
Van Gogh’s painting are about how he felt too. Some art may have brighter bold colors and others not so much.
BOOKS ABOUT VAN GOGH FOR KIDS
First, look at these books.
3 Books About Vincent Van Gogh and His Art for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To
Add some of these books about Vincent Van Gogh and his life and art to your home library or unit study.
In COME LOOK WITH ME: EXPLORING LANDSCAPE ART WITH CHILDREN art educator Gladys S. Blizzard introduces boys and girls to 12 magnificent landscape paintings. Through these carefully selected works and a thought-provoking text, the author guides students toward an imaginative new way of looking at art.This book is suited both for family reading and for sharing with a small group. Each full-color reproduction is accompanied by a brief biological sketch of the artist and a series of open-ended questions designed to make the most of a child's natural curiosity.
Abrams is pleased to introduce its new line of stationery to be published simultaneously with the all-new book Babar's Museum of Art by Laurent de Brunhoff. Featuring elephant-inspired versions of some of the best-known paintings in the world, our note card set and journal will appeal to Babar fans and art lovers of all ages. This adorable journal features full-color elephant paintings from Babar's Museum of Art on both the front and back covers and end papers.
Meet Artist Vincent van Gogh!
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).This book provides an entertaining and humorous introduction to the famous artist, Vincent van Gogh. Full-color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia's clever illustrations and story line.
Next, look at these other Van Gogh inspired crafts.
CRAFTS FOR KIDS INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH
- Easy Van Gogh Crafts And Awesome Printable Quick Study
- Look at more Paint a Stunning Van Gogh Masterpiece Using Forks
- How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters
- 10 Van Gogh Projects for Kids
Also, look at this fun Van Gogh study you’ll love.
VAN GOGH PRINTABLE QUICK STUDY
This artist study has over 50 pages, and includes:
- Vincent van Gogh biography
- Style
- Techniques
- Closer look at famous paintings
- Wheat Field with Cypresses (1889)
- The Starry Night (1889)
- Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin (1888)
- Use of Color & emotion
- Letters to Theo
- Value of his art over time
- Post-impressionist Art
- Van Gogh vs. Monet
- Self Portraits
- Create Art Like van Gogh
- van Gogh Quiz
Finally, look at how to make this fun Starry Night craft.
STARRY NIGHT FORK PAINTING
First, look at this list of supplies.
- Blue construction paper (dark or royal blue works well as the background)
- Paint:
- 2 Shades of blue
- 2 Shades of yellow
- Black
- Plastic fork
- Paper plate or tray for paint
- Paper towel or wipes for cleanup
First, start with a sheet of blue construction paper to represent the night sky.
Prep the paint by pouring out small amounts of each color onto a paper plate.
Then paint the sky.
Dip the fork into light blue paint and drag it across the paper in a spiral to form the swirling wind patterns.
Then, add yellow highlights to layer texture and movement like Van Gogh’s sky.
Next, add the stars and moon. Dip the fork into yellow paint and stamp or swirl it in a circular motion to create stars and a glowing moon.
Add smaller strokes of a different shade of yellow around them to mimic radiating light.
Now, create the town. Use light blue and yellow in alternating horizontal and vertical short strokes for the lights.
Then drag black horizontally across to suggest buildings.
Next, paint the town and lands cape. Use black paint and your fork to create the tall tower/castle on the left. Make jagged, upward strokes for texture.
Then drag the fork horizontally across the bottom to build the dark rolling hills and reflections.
Keep layering strokes of different colors with the fork to give your painting texture, motion, and contrast. Add dark blue streaks to empty parts of the sky to suggest brush strokes.
Let dry completely.
