Start with a large bunch of real or good quality artificial flowers that are different
colours. If possible have more than one flower type within a certain colour range.

• Look at the flowers very carefully. What colours can you see?
• Are the reds [or other colour] all the same? How are they different?
  Are they darker or lighter?
• How can we match these accurately by mixing paints?
• Do you recognise the flowers and how many can you name?
  

[It is useful to demonstrate how a base colour can be changed by adding a little white
or black. The resulting colours are known as ‘tints’ and ‘tones’.]

• Choose a flower you like. Mix the right colour to paint it on your Tabard.
  Before you begin, think where you are going to put the colour.
• Do it again with another flower until your Tabard is covered.
  

[Don’t worry about shapes in this activity unless the children have done some work with shape.]

When the Tabards are dry the children can put them on and look at each other and talk about the colours and flowers they
have painted. They can stand in a line and become a hedgerow or flower garden.

The activity can be extended by turning the Tabard round and making a painting on the other side of an individual flower of
the child’s choice. For this to be really effective, it must be large and bold.

[You can talk about a field of poppies or a mass of daffodils. Do we see the individual flowers or a mass of colour? How do
the different colours make us feel? Happy? Sad? What do we think about when we see them?]

Meeting curriculum requirements:

The children will be learning to name and talk about colours. They will mix colours to match those they have observed
using tints and tones. This will require the children to look closely and think about what they see and make judgements
about what they have achieved. They will learn about the relationship between individual shapes and colours and
massed colours. They will improve their craft skills in handling brushes and making marks.

Tips for Painting:

Tabards must be kept flat when they are being painted and not worn until they are dry
Have different size brushes available and encourage the children to find out what marks each brush will make
If things go wrong wipe out with a damp cloth
Remind the children to clean brushes very well when they are mixing colours or changing from one colour to another
Colour mixing is best done in small groups

Useful Reference:

Collect postcards of artists work. Collect gardening magazines and have flowers in the classroom

What you will need:

Tabards, paints, mixing trays or palettes, water jugs, rags, paper towels and brushes

Activity 0061 Butterflies
Activity 0052 Woodland trees
Activity 0028 Explore how colours feel