winter, summer, spring, fall project

Start with a circle, then create magic!  Kindergarten students draw images identifying the 4 seasons.  Each season's drawing starts with a circle, or part of a circle.  Artists do not have words, but they do have colors + lines to give their artwork feelings.  Colors are used in each season to help give the feeling of the temperature changes to the viewers.  Simply follow the step-by-step instructions to create a seasonal image, colored with seasonal colors.  

fours seasons examples

Note the colors in the 4 seasonal photos  - Winter - Spring - Summer - Fall (or Autumn)
The following pictures, or ones like these will help students understand the lesson + the seasonal changes.
Earth's Seasonal Orbit
Winter Snowman Example
Spring's Daisey Flower
Summer's Sun to illustrate Colors
Fall's Leaf Showing Veins + Details
Fall Colors

4 seasons steps

divide page vertically into 4 equal sections - paper can be folded by instructor
Winter - top, left corner sections - large circle - notice placement
add lines as shown
2 parallel, horizontal lines above circle
2 vertical lines above horizontal lines, spaced apart as far as the edges of circle
triangle in center of circle
2 circles above triangle - circles represent pieces of coal, so do not need to be perfect
circles on chest for buttons - circles in a curve for mount
2nd box to right - SPRING - small circle in center for cflower center
variation; art may be done horizontal on a 9"x12" paper, all other step-by-steps done on 112"x18", vertical paper - circle variation for flower center
draw 2 parallel lines under circle for stem
ovals around circle - spaced as show - one oval at a time - all same size
add more petals to flower, spaced between prior draw petals
complete petals around center circle - ea student might have a different # of petals - add grass lines - may tell students 5 on ea side
center of flower details alternative - students may add leaves to stem
Summer - 3 consecutive circles in center
Summer diagonal lines to ea of 4 corners
Summer - vertical + horizontal lines
Fall - diagonally drawn curve, near bottom, right
add 2 lines to form leaf
add rectangular shape for leaf stem
add veins on leaf - variation; 9"x12" paper - horizontal
variation; leaf veins
variation; write seasons in appropriate boxes
start with 1 color - orange - Winter nose, Summer sun ring, Fall leaf border
add brown toFall  leaf background + Winter snowman hat
add green for Spring grass, flower stem, Fall leaf - Spring orange can be added for flower center
Add Winter coal eyes + mount, black or grey can be used - Spring violet background
Summer yellow sun - Spring flower petals remain uncolored, or white paper
Summer sun center may be colored red
completed project
completed project
completed project - without seasons written on art work
completed project - horizontally drawn
completed project - vertically drawn
completed project

4 season lesson plan

object

Students will be able to illustrate seasonal pictures using seasonal colors. Students will know that the earth orbits around the sun, which is reasons for temperature changes throughout the year.

materials

- white construction/drawing paper 9"x12" or 12"x18"
​- crayons

activity

- Teacher introduce, explain, + show 4 season examples to students
​- Explain + show students how each season uses more of certain colors to help the viewer "feel" the seasonal temperatures.
- teacher can pre-fold papers for students

clean-up

- Allow time to collect art work + put crayons away

vocabulary words


  • Color - The visual sensation dependent on the reflection or abstraction of light from a given surface.  The 3 characteristics of color are hue, intensity, + value.  Color Harmony; The use of compatible colors to help unify a composition.
  • Cool Colors - Colors suggesting coolness: blue, violet, + green.
  • Elements of art - Sensory components used to create works of art; line, color, shape, texture, value, space.
  • Line - A point moving in space.  Line can vary in width, length, curvature, color, or direction.
  • ​Media - Plural of medium, referring to materials used to make art; categories of art (e.g. painting, sculpture, film).
  • Primary Colors - Refers to colors red, yellow, + blue.  From these all other colors are created.
  • Secondary Colors - Colors that are mixtures of 2 primaries.  Red + yellow make orange, yellow + blue make green, red + blue make violet.
  • Shape -  A 2-dimensional area or plane that may be open or closed, free-form or geometric.  It can be found in nature or is made by humans.
  • Space - An area in which objects + images exist.
  • Warm Colors - Colors suggesting warmth: red, orange, + yellow.
  • Watercolor - Transparent pigment mixed with water.  Paintings done with this medium are called watercolors.
  • Unity - Total visual effect in a composition achieved by the careful blending of the elements of art + the principles of design.

variation 

- Many variation drawing ideas are seen in various steps above
- paper size can be varied
- medium can be varied to watercolor paints
- oil pastels can be used on darker colored paper
- collage method of cut paper pieces can be a variation
- Leave room for student's personal expression 

Ca state visual arts standards

1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Develop Perceptual Skills and Visual Arts Vocabulary
1.1 Recognize and describe simple patterns found in the environment and works of art.
1.2 Name art materials. (e.g., clay, paint, crayons) introduced in lessons.
Analyze Art Elements and Principles of Design
1.3 Identify the elements of art (line, color, shape,/form, texture, value, space) in the environment and in works of art, emphasizing line, color, and shape/form.
2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Skills, Processes, Materials, and Tools
2.1 Use lines, shapes/forms, and colors to make patterns.
2.2 Demonstrate beginning skills in the use of tools and processes, such as the use of scissors, glue, and paper in a three-dimensional construction.