Try something a little different today with a Monet Bridge Over A Pond of Waterlilies art project for kids! This famous artist art activity is perfect for exploring impressionist art with a few simple supplies. Art doesn’t have to be difficult or overly messy to share with kids; it doesn’t have to cost a lot, either!
Who Is Claude Monet?
Claude Monet was a French artist who loved to draw as a child. Monet’s use of light in his artwork was unique as he tried to capture the changing colors of light. He used various vibrant colors and painted quickly using short brushstrokes. Learn more about color in art.
Monet was considered an impressionist. Impressionism is a style of painting that began in France in the early 1860s when artists started painting art outside rather than in the studio.
They wanted to capture specific moments in time, and because the light conditions kept changing, they had to work very quickly.
Impressionists did not try to capture a picture of real life but rather an impression of what a person, object, atmosphere, or landscape looked like to them at that time.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Monet sunflower
Create your own impressionist artwork inspired by Monet’s famous paintings, “Japanese Bridge and Waterlilies”. Make sure to grab the free printable Monet art project to follow along!
Get your FREE printable Monet art project!
Bridge and Water Lilies Art Project
Supplies:
- Canvas
- Decorative tape
- Watercolors
- Baking cups
- Glue stick
- Scissors
Instructions:
STEP 1: Design your background with watercolors on canvas.
TIP: Want to make your own watercolors? Check out our easy DIY watercolors.
TIP: If painting a large white canvas feels intimidating, keep it simple by adding blotches of watercolor. We used blue at the bottom to represent the pond and various greens and blues to represent nature. Of course, yellow at the top for the sun. Try any combination of colors you like!
STEP 2: Once dry, use your decorative tape to create a bridge over the water.
STEP 3: Using scissors, cut your ‘water lilies’ out of the baking cups. Simply, layer the paper baking cups on top of each other, cutting them smaller to bigger as shown below.
STEP 4: Use glue stick to add your lilies to your canvas.
Famous Monet Paintings
Bridge Over A Pond Of Water Lilies is one of Monet’s most famous paintings. It is an oil painting that was completed in 1899 and is part of a series of paintings that Monet did of the water lilies in his
garden.
In 1883 Monet turned a small pond into an Asian-influenced water garden. Monet surrounded the pond with a variety of flowers, bushes, and trees. He filled the basin with water lilies and added a Japanese-style wooden bridge in 1895.
He then started painting the pond with its gardens, water lilies, and Japanese Pond for the rest of his life.
This painting shows a Japanese bridge over a pond filled with water lilies. The bridge is surrounded by greenery and flowers, and the water reflects the colors of the sky and trees.
The painting is notable for its use of color and light, as Monet captures the reflections and shadows of the natural world.
Why Study Famous Artists?
Studying the artwork of the masters not only influences your artistic style but even improves your skills and decisions when creating your own original work.
It is great for kids to be exposed to different styles of art, experiment with different mediums, and techniques through our famous artist art projects.
Kids may even find an artist or artists whose work they really like and will inspire them to do more of their own artwork.
Why is learning about art from the past important?
- Kids who are exposed to art have an appreciation for beauty!
- Kids who study art history feel a connection to the past!
- Art discussions develop critical thinking skills!
- Kids who study art learn about diversity at a young age!
- Art history can inspire curiosity!
More Fun Artist-Inspired Projects To Try
- Georgia O’Keeffe skull art
- MC Escher eye art project
- Grandma Moses winter landscape
- Hilma Af Klint abstract collage
- Hokusai’s The Great Wave
- Tiger art with Rousseau
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce art more effectively to your kids or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
Printable Famous Artist Pack
You’ll find each of our famous artists featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including a bonus Andy Warhol Coloring Book!
25+ artists and growing with unique projects not available on the website!
