My boys love to get creative and express themselves with pens, paints and whatever creative materials they can get their hands on! But I have to admit I hadn’t really introduced them to any of the famous artists yet. When Galt challenged us to recreate our own version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night this was a perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to one of the Old Masters for the first time.
Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night was painted in 1889, oil paint on canvas and is one of the most recognised paintings in the world. We were sent outline drawings of the painting and a sponge painting kit to have a go at our own version.
Just in case you need a refresher of the original version, here it is:
We set out our empty templates and supplies and talked about the colours and whether Mr Z wanted to keep his painting the same as the original or do his own version.
We used just four colours of paint, so this gave us an opportunity to think about what colours we would need to mix to create other shades that we needed for our paintings. Mr Z also thought carefully about what tool would be best. He decided that the roller would be best for the night sky background and then we could add details on top with the sponge shapes.
I’m happy for the kids to use their imagination and creativity in art projects, and feel that the activity is more about the process than the finished project so of course I was not going to insist that he followed the original painting to the letter.
As a modern child, seeing the town scene at the bottom of the painting Mr Z felt that it’s only right to have a few cars down there for the town traffic!
Exploring art from the past gives a good opportunity to talk about life – what has stayed the same and what changes have come and gone. It’s hard for kids to imagine that in those days there would not have been all of these modern cars filling the streets like we see nowadays! But it’s also interesting to think of how many things do stay the same – like the stars and the night sky which cover us, and everyone in the world. Whether born now or 1000 years ago, or wherever you are in the world we are all under the same stars. Maybe that’s part of the appeal of Starry Night. As Van Gogh once said “Looking at the stars always makes me dream” (the rest of the quote is actually about death.. so maybe best not to share the whole thing with the kids!)
In the original painting, the space at the front is a dark green tree but with the outline on the template Mr Z thought it looked a lot like a flame so he has made it into a fire, burning yellow and red to match the stars.
He used yellow paint underneath and then circle sponges with red paint to give more details to his flame.
We printed out several copies so that we could experiment and make a few different versions, which allowed him to enjoy the activity for longer. We made about 4 in the end before Mr Z moved on to making his own sponge paint creations on plain paper. Here’s another one:
If you would like to do this activity here are is the template:
Click here to download the full sized printable file
Click here to download a copy of the original painting, to show to your child and talk about.
If you would like to try some other Van Gogh masterpieces you can check the Galt blog where more will be added.
You might also be interested in:
- Van Gogh Starry Night glowing playdough activity over at Art History Mom
- Van Gogh Starry Night finger painting at The Imagination Tree
- Van Gogh Starry Night with melted crayons at Happy Hooligans
I’d love to see your child’s version if you have a go with this, or are a blogger with a Van Gogh art post – Please feel free to come and share on the In The Playroom Facebook page!
For more kids art activities check out my Kids Ideas and Activities board on Pinterest
Follow Anna – In The Playroom’s board kids Ideas and activities on Pinterest.
His paintings look great! I’m loving the addition of the car!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Riding the rails with Chuggington and TOMY
Very talent!beautiful sponge craft. We also had done it.
Eileen Teo recently posted…Doc McStuffins Is In Clinic Playhouse
That’s a brilliant idea! Think I’ll be printing it off too 🙂
Kate Williams recently posted…11 Ways To Paint Without A Paintbrush
Cool! That looks so neat! I really need to try sponge painting with my daughter. She’s not terribly fond of finger painting and we’ve tried sponge brushes once. Thanks for sharing on the Pintastic Pinteresting Party.
Alicia Owen recently posted…Friendliest Chicken Breeds
Sponge painting! This is new for me. That’s look fun! My son would probably love this one. Thank you!
You’re so arty! That first picture is amazing! I love the idea of recreating masterpieces with sponge painting x
Donna recently posted…Review: Gabor ‘Melton’ Court Shoes
My daughter has that sponge painting set and she absolutely loves it!
The Reading Residence recently posted…Creating a Wildlife Garden
I think it’s so much better than giving children some ridiculously bad line drawing of a tiger or an elf like you used to find in these sets 🙂
Jenny @ The Brick Castle recently posted…My Breakfast Routine
Oh wow! I adore Van Gogh and Starry Night is one of my all time favourite paintings…. I might have to get this for me… I mean my little girl!
Thanks so much for linking up to Homemade Thursday x
mummiafelice recently posted…Pastel perfection – Tanya Burr by Eye Candy
I just wrote a post on Van Gogh art for kids this week too, and yours is great! I love how you you’re using sponge painting. Very creative!
Erica Loop recently posted…Van Gogh Art Activity: Kids’ Clay Famous Artist Project
Ooohhh this looks so nice. Bright and the colors are vivid =) #brilliantblogposts
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Family Photo – Swing of Things
What a great idea!! I pinned it to do with my daughter this summer as we are looking at artists and going to do some activities like this then. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Carrie @ Crafty Moms Share recently posted…Sharing Saturday 14-20
One of my favourite Van Gogh paintings! Found your blog via 123 Homeschool 4 Me linky.
Nichole {youclevermonkey} recently posted…Is that a bird? A preschool unit of work
How fun and thanks for the template!! Stopping by from the Pin it Party and will be pinning this!
Leilani recently posted…Why Won’t They Listen??!!?
I’ve never tried sponge painting, but it’s now on my list. This is a great idea! PINNED IT! I’ll be doing this activity with my little boy. So glad I found this at the #PinItParty.
Kristina@amominneedofadvice.blogspot.com recently posted…It Finally Happened
This looks wonderful. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts. Please add my badge or link back if you can. Thanks
Honest Mum recently posted…Over on my Style blog-Floral Bodycon from Joe Browns
Grace says – Awesome job – bet you had loads of fun painting these. Hope you didn’t get too messy!!!!
Thanks for linking to #minicreations
This is such a lovely idea, and great for getting creative! Thanks for sharing the template. #pintorials
Tarana recently posted…Busy Hands (8): ‘Sandy’ Cloud Dough
Great ideas! This would be a great post to link up to our Learn Through Play Hop!
http://suchamama.com/2014/05/01/learn-through-play-hop-10/
thanks! I will do 🙂
Love how he interpreted the painting! Brilliant . I’ve looked at these kits and thought they looked good. #Pintorials
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…The Prompt: Week 19
Great paintings. Lovely simple way to get creative.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Karen Bell recently posted…Let kids be kids linky 20/5/14
Lovely idea to have the line drawing underneath. Guides without dictating. #Pintorials
Cheryl recently posted…Who needs plant pots?
I think it turned out brilliantly – well done Mr Z! Great colours 😀
#Pintorials
Gude @HodgePodgeCraft recently posted…The best D crafts for kids (link up with #Pintorials)
I LOVE this! What a cool idea and thanks for the printables! Thanks for linking up at the Toddler and Preschool Moms Pinning Party. I will be featuring this tomorrow!! 🙂
Angela @ Teaching Mama recently posted…The House Fly Game — Free Printable Game for Preschoolers
thanks so much! 🙂
Thanks for linking up at #Pintastic Pinteresting Party. What a great way to teach your children and to have fun at the same time. This activity looks fantastic. I am sure my grandchildren would love it.
Regina Partain recently posted…Pintastic Pinteresting Party #20
What a great activity!! I love it! My daughter will love to do it as well. We have been reading some picture books (and board books) about famous artists. My goal is to take her to the Fine Arts Museum this summer. We have also been doing lots of color explorations and learning about color.
Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! And congratulations on being most clicked this week!
Carrie @ Crafty Moms Share recently posted…DIY Minnie Mouse Pinata & Free Party Activty Sign Printables
You had me at Starry Night! OMG I love this project! This year I’m going to be introducing the girls to famous artists, this will be a great project. Thanks for sharing!
Mary recently posted…Exercise Roulette #20X31
Great activity, and I really like “Exploring art from the past gives a good opportunity to talk about life “. Projects like this offer many opportunities to discuss additional important lessons. Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Spot!
Susan W recently posted…Neverland Summer Camp – June 2014 (Middle School)
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday!
XOXO
This is so neat, thanks!
Thank you so much for including us, Anna! So many beauties here! Pinning and sharing on my fb page. 🙂
Jackie recently posted…30+ Fairy Crafts and Activities for Kids
Oops! Meant to leave my comment on your star round-up post! heehee
Jackie recently posted…30+ Fairy Crafts and Activities for Kids
thanks jackie! 🙂